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Types of Blackjack Games
Blackjack is by far the most popular casino card game in the Western world. Black is also known as Twenty-one. Blackjack is a game of chance as much as it is a game of skill and strategy, what with the somewhat notorious element of card-counting. Card-counting is the practice of counting card in order to keep track of which cards have been dealt.
How to Play Basic Blackjack
As the name suggests, a player with a dealt hand that totals the highest number but does not exceed the total of 21, is the winner. If a player's hand adds up to more than 21, then the player is said to “bust.”
The way totals are added up is fairly straightforward. The cards 2 through to 10 are worth whatever is their face value. The face cards, that is the Jack, Queen, and King, are always worth 10. The Ace is valued 11, but if, when an ace is dealt to player, it will cause a bust, then it's worth becomes a 1. When a player is dealt a hand that includes an Ace at a value higher than 11, it is called a “soft hand,” because it does not make the player bust when another card is dealt.
The goal of the blackjack card game is simple. Each player must aim to beat the dealer. This happens when a player draws a higher hand than the dealer. This is called an un-busted hand.
One important point to remember is that, if a player busts he still always loses, even if it happens that the dealer also busts.
Another thing to know is that if both dealer and player end up drawing the same value, there is no winner. This situation is called a “push.” What happens here is that each player then plays an independent game with the dealer. During this session, the dealer will lost to some players, but win over others in the same round. Learn more here: How to Play Blackjack.
Variations of the Blackjack Game
Once you start playing blackjack you'll find that despite it's simplicity, it is a massively exciting game. You'll also be excited to know that apart from the standard blackjack game described above, there are many variations. These variations of the blackjack game are described below. They are all based on blackjack, with significant variations to make each game exciting in its own right.
Over / Under 13
This one of the more popular blackjack variations, especially so in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. There is an added side bet, which means that as a player you can opt to place a bet on whether the first two drawn cards will total over 14 or under 13. In this variation, the Ace has a value of 1 and if you draw a total of 13, then the casino wins the bet and you lose.
Red / Black
This variation allows you to bet on whether the dealer's upcard will be a red or a black one.
Blackjack Switch
In this variation each player must play two hands, but the same bet must be placed on each separate hand. Learn more about Blackjack Switch.
Royal Match
This is another variation with a side bet option. Here, the player is able to bet on whether their first two cards will come from the same suit. This has a higher payout than previous variations, which are 1:1. This variation pays out 3:1. A player gets a Royal Match when they are dealt a dealt a King and Queen of the same suit. In this case, the payout rises to 10:1.
Double Exposure
In this variation, the dealer draws two cards face-up. Obviously, this gives the advantage to the player. Moreover, the player will win in the event of a tie.
Spanish 21
In this variation, six or seven decks are used, but all the 10s are removed from the decks, which is a disadvantage for the player, but if a player draws 21, they always win.
Bust Out
Here is yet another blackjack variation, which is said to be an “easy clean” for players who count cards. What happens in this game is that once the dealer has drawn the hole card and the dealer's hand is still to be completed, the opportunity for players to bet becomes available if the dealer has drawn a stiff hand. A stiff hand is one where the dealer must hit, but will bust out if a 10 value card is draws. If it is drawn, the player wins 2:1.
21 Madness
Here is another variation in which the player can place a side bet of $1. If the player hits blackjack, but the dealer doesn't, then the player wins a bonus payout of anywhere between $5 and $1,000. The award amount is decided by chance.
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