In the game Blackjack, each player competes only against the
dealer (i.e. the bank/casino), not against other players. Your
goal as the player is to draw cards until your hand adds up
to 21, or comes as close as possible without exceeding 21. If
your first two cards total 21, you have blackjack. If the dealer
gets closer to 21 than you without going over themselves, they
win.
Before any cards are dealt, the player must wager. She does
so by placing a bet in the designated space in front of their
table position. The dealer then deals two cards to each of the
players, and two to himself (one of the dealer's cards is dealt
face up and one is dealt facing down). Face cards (kings, queens
and jacks) count as 10, ace counts as one or 11 (as the player
chooses, whichever is more advantageous) and all other cards
are counted at their face value.
An explanation of some common terms follows, for a more detailed
look at some of the topics touched on here take a look at our
Blackjack tips page:
Blackjack - If the
player's first two cards are an ace and a 10 or face card, she
wins. However, if the dealer also has a blackjack, it is a push
or a tie, and you receive your bet back. According to the most
common blackjack rules, a winning blackjack usually pays the
player 3 to 2.
Hit or Stand - Hit
means to draw another card (which the player signifies by scraping
the table with her cards or a similar hand motion). Stand means
no more cards (which the player signals by placing the corner
of her cards under her wager or moving her hand in a horizontal
direction. If the player hits and busts (goes over 21), she
immediately turns her cards over and her wager is lost.
Double Down - The
player is allowed to double the bet on her first two cards and
draw one additional card only to improve her hand. This is usually
done if you are dealt an 11 or a 10, so your next card will
most likely bring you to a 21 or 20. Always take into account
the dealers up-card, if they are showing busting cards it is
a good idea to double down even if your total is as little as
9.
Splitting Pairs -
If the first two cards a player is dealt are a pair, she may
split them into two separate hands, bet the same amount on each
and then play them as separate hands. Aces receive only one
additional card. After splitting, A-10 sometimes counts as 21
and not as blackjack, so you may not get paid 3 to 2.
Insurance - If the
dealer's up card is an ace, the player may take insurance, a
bet not exceeding one-half his original bet. If the dealer's
down card is a 10 or any face card, the player wins 2 to 1.
Any other card means a win for the dealer. Simple rule: never
take insurance. It may be taken as a gesture of bad faith by
the rest of the table, and statistically it is rarely an intelligent
move.
Surrender - Where
permitted, a player may give up his first two cards and lose
only one-half his original bet. Usually a pretty silly move,
and far from manly.
If you have gained any insight into our favorite game via
this blackjack rules page, please let us know, and let your
friends know too! The more people we can help win more and
lose less the better!
