Blackjack - what you need to know |
 Blackjack, also known as 21, is fairly simple. The objective is to make the total value of the cards in your hand come as close to 21 as you can without going over. Cards numbered 2-10 have a value equal to the number on the card, face cards are equal to 10, and an Ace can be either 1 or 11 depending on the circumstances. (ex: if you have an Ace, an 8 and a Queen your hand would have a value of 19 - but if you just had an Ace and a Queen, it would be 21.)One of the things that attracts people to Blackjack is the fact that you are only playing against the dealer. There may be other people at the table, but the only people you have to worry about are yourself and the dealer - other people’s hands do not affect your game enough for you to worry about them. You win if your hand is worth more than the dealer’s without going over 21. Most casinos will offer you extra cash (3:2 instead of 2:1) if you win by getting a “Blackjack” - a card valued at 10 with an Ace. If your hand is equal to the dealer’s, the bets will be “pushed” (returned). When you place your bet on the table, you are dealt two cards face up. The dealer will have two cards as well, but you will only be able to see one of them, so you need to decide how likely it is that he has 21 based on that card. Depending on the value of the face-up card in the dealer’s hand and how close the value of your cards is to 21, you may choose to “hit” (be dealt another card) or “stand” (stick with what you have). If you go over 21, you “bust” and the dealer wins - likewise, if the dealer busts, you win. There are a few other options to be aware of, other than “hit” and “stand”: “Doubling Down” means you double your bet and will only get one more card that round. When used carefully, this option can earn you a lot of money. “Splitting” is offered when you are dealt a pair, giving you the option to put another bet (equal to your first) on the table and split the cards into two separate hands. This doubles your chances of winning, and certain casinos will let you increase your potential earnings further by allowing you to double down on one of the hands you create this way (usually the one the dealer comes to first). “Insurance” is an option offered when the card showing in the dealer’s hand is an Ace. It is not a way of insuring your own hand, as the name would suggest. Instead, you are betting half your original bet on the chance that the dealer’s other card is equal to 10 (and he therefore has a value of 21 in his hand). If you are right, you will get 2:1 on your bet. If you are wrong, you lose the money. The dealer will offer you “even money” if he has an Ace face-up and you have a Blackjack. If you accept this offer, you are choosing to take 2:1 on your bet instead of 3:2 in case the dealer also has a Blackjack. If you do not take this offer and the dealer does have a Blackjack, the bets will be pushed. A couple quick tips for beginners: 1) Stand at 17 (or higher). If you take another card, you are likely to bust, but if your hand is worth 17 or more you have a fairly good chance of beating the dealer. 2) Double down if your cards add up to 10 or 11. You will only get one more card after doubling down - but if you have 10 or 11 in your hand already, you stand a high chance of winning that hand with just one more card. 3) Always split Aces and eights. These are the pairs that will give you the best odds of winning the extra money you are trying to get by splitting. 4) Do not take the insurance or even money offers. In most cases, the dealer will not have a 10 hiding under that Ace, and you will lose potential money. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites       |
