Blackjack is the most popular table game in American casinos. Why? It is simple: experienced players are more likely to win than a casino.
At blackjack you compete with a dealer rather than other players. The goal is to arrange cards so that they give 21 points or other value being as close to this number as possible, yet you must not exceed the value of 21. The highest hand for which you get 150% of the bet is the so-called blackjack, that is ace and 10 or face card.
Course of the game
You and croupier receive two cards each. Your cards are uncovered, while croupier shows one card only. Now it is your turn to take another step.
Depending on the hand, you can do the following:
- draw another card (hit)
- wait (stand)
- double the rate (double)
- split cards (split)
- insure cards (insurance)
When you decide to stand, croupier’s cards are uncovered. If the value of your cards is closer to 21 than croupier’s, you win. If you have a classic blackjack (21 points in first two cards), your win is paid 3 to 2 (assuming the croupier does not have a classic blackjack).
If both competitors have the same hand value, but at least 17, nobody wins and you regain your bet. Blackjack beats the total of 21 points (see below – Split). Face cards give 10 points.
Potential steps of the player
Draw a card (hit)
You can draw another card if you think you will not exceed 21 points. When the value exceeds this number, you go bankrupt (bust) and lose the round. For this reason you have to be very careful when you wish to draw a card or cards. The so-called basic strategy may prove to be helpful in this case.
Wait (stand)
You can wait and refrain from drawing cards if you think your hand value is close enough to 21. At this point the croupier uncovers his second hand and the winner is announced.
Double the rate (double)
If your first two cards give 10 or 11, you can double the bet and draw a third card.
Split cards (split)
If your first two cards are of the same value (e.g. two queens), you can split them into two separate dealings to make a second bet of the same value. Next you have to draw further cards. After splitting two aces, you can draw one additional card per dealing. If you split two aces and one of the dealing gives 21 points, it will not be a blackjack but 21 points. You cannot split dealing which has already been split.
Insurance (insurance)
If the croupier’s first card is ace, you can insure yourself against blackjack. The price for insurance is half of the original bet. If the croupier has blackjack, you will be paid at 2 to 1 from the insurance bet, while the original bet is canceled. If the croupier does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost.
Blackjack is one of the simplest and simultaneously most exciting casino games. Thanks to a relatively easy basic strategy, the likelihood of you winning is pretty high. To check it, please visit our Casino!
