When it comes to placing your chips on the blackjack table,
there are some things you should be familiar with. This page
speaks not only to the act of knowing where and when to do
your betting, but also addresses a couple of the more uncommon
betting situations you may encounter in your blackjack game.
Always remember that when you play blackjack it's you against
the dealer. The two variables that determine how you should
play your hand are the dealer's up-card and your hand. With
more experience, you'll also be able to use the information
of all the cards that you see on the table (yours, the dealer
and your fellow players) to make a more informed decision
on how much to bet and how to play the hand.
Initially you must place a bet that is at least the table
minimum. To do so put your chips (stacked if multiple) just
above the square playing area on the felt. If you're uneasy,
take a few minutes to stand around a table and watch the other
players, then you will know exactly where to do your blackjack
betting. You are then dealt your cards and have a couple of
new opportunities to put more money down or in some way affect
your bet.
If for instance you are dealt a low total and you know that your next card
should bring you close to 21, you may double your bet before receiving this
card. This is called doubling down. The catch is, you only get one more draw
card, so if you get a two and you're stuck at 13, you're stuck. In most casinos
you can only double down after you receive your first two cards and before drawing
another card. To signal the dealer that you want to double down, just place
your chip next to the original chip bet on the hand and the dealer will give
you a final card perpendicular to your other cards (shoe games) or toss your
cards on the table face-up in hand held games and then make the secondary bet.
Doubling down can be a very intelligent betting strategy, especially if you
are in a position with a 9, 10, or 11 on your first two cards and the dealer
is showing busting cards.
Pair splitting is another opportunity to change the way your
initial blackjack betting was played. If your first two cards
are a pair (say a pair of 9's) you have the choice between
playing that total as your hand (in this case an 18, a pretty
good hand) or splitting the two cards into two hands and playing
them independently. In this instance you must place down the
amount of your initial wager beside each of the new hands.
The dealer will then proceed to deal your hands. As a note,
is it a good idea to split 9's? Of course, that depends on
what the dealer is showing. If you are dealt two aces, split
them, but be aware you are usually only allowed one new card
for each hand if you split aces. Lets hope they're face cards!
For
information on insurance betting, surrender, and the even
money bet, please read our blackjack
tips page.
