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What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a card game where the objective is to be dealt cards higher than the dealer but not exceeding a total of 21 points.
How to Play Blackjack
The blackjack player's objective is to attain a total of 21 points from the 2 cards dealt to him and by drawing more cards. He cannot exceed 21. In order to win, his points must be higher than those of the dealer. All cards are counted at face value except for the Ace which can be counted as 1 or as 11. The ideal hand is an Ace and a picture card, giving a total of 21, where the Ace is counted as 11. This is called “Blackjack”, or a “Natural”. It is unbeatable but when the dealer has the same, it is a “push”.
Where to Sit At the Blackjack Table
In blackjack, the first position among the players is that immediately to the dealer's left and is called “First Base”. The first card is dealt to him. The opposite side, at the dealer's right, is called “Third Base” and he receives the last cards. This is an important position as he dictates what cards the dealer will receive. Do not hesitate if you see an empty blackjack table - a one-on-one game with the dealer gives the best possible odds.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
“Doubling Down” in blackjack means doubling your bet and receiving one more card only. You can “Double Down” on any first two cards by placing the cards face up in front of the betting circle, and placing a bet equal to your original bet next to it. You must say “Double Down” when you do this.
Splitting in Blackjack
When a player is dealt two cards of the same value, the player may decide to “Split” his hand and play two hands and place a bet equal to the original bet on each of the two hands in action. In a “Split” hand the player can draw more than one card to finish out each hand. All casinos will allow you to “Split Aces”, but you will only be dealt one additional card on each of the two Aces.
Blackjack Tips
A “single deck” in blackjack means a deck of 52 cards without Jokers or Wild cards. Two decks will be 104 cards and a “Six Deck Shoe” is a box that looks like a shoe with 312 cards in it. The cards are all shuffled. In a “Six Deck Shoe” the cards may tend to group together and may allow a player to hit winning streaks more frequently than with smaller decks.
Blackjack Strategy
A “Soft Hand” in blackjack is determined on the first two cards dealt. This means a combination of an Ace with any card, other than a 10. The player counts the Ace as either 11 or as 1. For instance, if you are dealt an Ace and a 3, you have a “Soft Hand” - your hand can be either 14 or 4; this is called a “Soft 14”. However, if your two cards are a 10 and a 4, this is a “Hard 14”, also known as a “Stiff”. A “Soft Hand” is a better hand and will allow you to get close to 21, or indeed make 21, by drawing six or more cards. This is called “Six and Over” and in some casinos is an automatic winner, often paying out 2 to 1.
The number 17 is crucial in Blackjack because it can be either the worst hand for the player or the dealer. The number 17 can make or break a hand. Look on the table for a sign that says “Dealer Must Stand on All 17”. These are favorable rules for the player, and mean that dealer's Ace with a 6 is a “Soft 17” hand, he must count the Ace as 11 making the total hand as 17. This means that the dealer has no options. Don't play if the rules state, “Dealer Must Hit Soft 17”, because you would be giving up part of your edge.
Blackjack Doubling Strategies
Some casinos will only allow you to “Double Down” in blackjack if the combined value of the first two cards dealt is 10 or 11. This means that if the dealer is showing a 6 as the up card, this would be a good time for you to Double Down. If your total is 9, you cannot Double Down. By eliminating this choice, the casino further reduces your ability to win money. Seasoned players stay away from casinos with these blackjack restrictions. If you do find a casino that offers all of the good rules, the chances are they will only be offered on the six-deck-show blackjack game.
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