Also known as twenty-one, Blackjack is the most common casino banking game played all over the world. It is a card game of comparison between the player and the dealer. Players do not compete against each other, rather, against the dealer. Blackjack can be played with one or multiple decks of cards (each deck has 52 cards).
If you are going to go to Atlantic City, Macau, Vegas or wherever, to play Blackjack, you will want to ensure your knowledge and understanding of the game is at the optimum level. Your job as a player is simple… beat the dealer.
Here are some basic rules to get familiar with the game:
- Getting a blackjack (21 points on your first two cards) without the dealer getting one.
- Get to a final score higher than that of the dealer but don’t exceed 21 points.
- Letting the dealer draw more cards until he/she exceeds 21 points.
You (the player) are initially dealt two cards. Together, your cards’ value increases.
The Kings, Queens and Jacks (face cards) count as ten points.
The Ace can be counted as one point or as 11 points.
The other cards (2 to 10) are counted as the numeric value indicated on them.
You can either get a hit or take another card when you first get your initial cards. You win (or the dealer wins) when a score of 21 is achieved or by achieving the highest score that is lower than 21. You “bust” if you score higher than 21, and lose as a result. If your score is 21, or the highest lower than 21 after the dealer busts, you win.
Holding an Ace value of 11 means you have a soft hand. This means that you can take an additional card and still not go bust. The value of all other cards plus the 11 from your ace will equate 21 or less. An Ace held at a value of one would be a hard hand.
The dealer will take hits until he/she has achieved a total of 17 points or higher. So, if you avoid going bust and achieve a higher points tally than that of the dealer, you win. When you and the dealer have the same total points tally, no one wins. This is called a push.
Now, let us look at five tips to keep in mind when playing physical or online Blackjack.
- Doubling Down
You can double the amount of your original bet when you receive your initial two cards. I you do, you will receive one additional card. If you win, you will earn double the amount of chips. It is important to know when to double down. The best time to do this is when your initial cards add up to between nine and 11.
- Playing a Hard Hand
- Hit if your hand total is 8 or lower.
- If your hand total is 9, hit unless the dealer has between 3 and 6.
- If your hand total is 10, hit unless the dealer has between 2 and 9.
- If your hand total is 11, double unless the dealer has an Ace.
- If your hand total is 12, hit unless the dealer has between 4 and 6.
- If your hand total is between 13 and 16, hit unless the dealer has between 2 and 6.
- If your hand is 17 and higher, stick.
- Playing a Soft Hand
- If your card (other than the Ace) is 2 or 3, bit unless the dealer has 5 or 6.
- If your card is 4 or 5, hit unless the dealer has between 4 and 6.
- If your card is 6, hit unless the dealer has between 3 and 6.
- If your card is 7, hit unless the dealer has between 2 and 8.
- If your card is 8 or 9, stick.
- If your card is 10, you have a blackjack.
- Splitting Pairs
You can split a pair when that is what you are initially dealt. You can then play these cards as though they were two separate hands.
- Buying Insurance
You can buy insurance when the dealer has an Ace for a face-up card. This is important because when the dealer gets a blackjack, you can breakeven and avoid losing everything.
There are many variations to the rules of Blackjack. It is important to know how the game is played in each and every location you decide to visit.
Regardless if you decide to visit a land based casino or play online, the rules are the same. And as much there are many land casino in major cities such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau, there even more online site to enjoy the game. Among many great sites, playing blackjack at William Hill cannot let you down. The user experience is great and play is fully secure.
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