How to Play Blackjack


If you are going to play a casino game Blackjack is the game to play. Before you can play the game you have to know the rules. The thing that is really different about Blackjack is the fact that the table is sort of playing together against the dealer. If you do something wrong, the entire table could pay for your mistake. Before you try to sit down at a table and play you should definitely know the rules and what is suppose to be done in specific situations.

Blackjack Overview

Most people know the main objective of playing Blackjack but not many people really know the details of the game. Each player is going to get two cards (one at a time). The dealer will get two cards as well, one face up and one face down. In order to win you have to have a higher hand then the dealer has without going over 21. If you tie then it will be a push and you will get your bet back.

Betting and Payout Structure

Each player will have the option to bet what they want to bet before the hand is dealt. There is usually a minimum bet and a maximum bet. If you beat the dealers hand then you will get 1:1 on your money. If you get a blackjack you will get 3:2 or 2:1 on your money depending on the casino. Many different games also offer unique bonuses that vary. Blackjack betting varies from site to site, so make sure to check out their individual policies.

Example:

If you bet $20 and you win, you will get back $40. If you get a blackjack then you will get back either $50 or $60. If you lose, you will lose the $20 to the house.

How To Win a Blackjack Hand

There are three basic ways you can win a hand in Blackjack. Either you can end up with a higher hand then the dealer, get a blackjack or hope that the dealer busts and you do not. Any hand that goes over 21 would be considered a bust. When you bust you automatically lose. If you get a Blackjack you will automatically win whatever the casino’s payout is for a blackjack.

If the dealer is showing an Ace you will have the option to take even money (in case the dealer has a blackjack also). If a dealer does have a blackjack then you will automatically lose. If an ace is showing you will have the option to get insurance which would give you back half of your money if it turned out to be a blackjack. However, taking insurance is not good blackjack strategy.

Other Rules

There are a couple of different things that you must keep in mind when playing the game. The dealer has to hit no matter what unless they have at least 17. If they have anything under 17 they have to hit, but if they have 17 or more then the dealer has to stay. The players are aloud to hit or stay no matter what they have.

You can double down after you have your first two cards. If you decide to double down however, you will only get one more card. You will be aloud to double your bet if you make this choice. When you do choose to double down you should make sure that either the dealer is showing a bust card or you have a 10 or 11. You should double down no matter what if you have an 11.

You can also split pairs, which will allow you to put another bet out for the other card and get a total of 4 cards to start. When you split pairs it is like playing two different blackjack hands. Keep in mind that if you split Aces (which you always should); you will only be able to get one card to go with each ace. The biggest mistake you can make in blackjack is to split 10’s.

The most important thing to do is to make sure that you understand the rules. If you do not understand the rules, you will make a lot of mistakes and that will make a lot of people at your table upset. The best way to get started is by practicing online heads up vs. the dealer.

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