Blackjack is a card game beloved by intellects, mathematicians and anyone seeking an edge against the house. With an expansive history and numerous variations available today, blackjack continues to hold appeal for intellectuals.
Beginning the game, a dealer shuffles and deals each player two cards from a deck. A player may request another card (hit), or remain with their hand if it approaches 21.
Game rules
When playing blackjack, bets are placed in designated betting areas on the table. Two cards are then given out – one to each player and one back to the dealer – and if either add up to 21 (an ace and card valued at 10) you are considered “blackjack”, while if your total matches that of the dealer you simply draw another card; either way all bets placed remain unaltered and return without adjustment.
Your options in blackjack include hitting (getting another card), standing (keeping what you already have), splitting (if two of your cards have the same value, separate them into separate hands) or taking insurance against a dealer’s ace at 2:1 – although never double against soft 17 dealer hands!). Insurance also pays 2:1, though be wary about doing this unless there are enough cards left to double down your hand against him/her!
Bets
As opposed to other casino card games, blackjack lacks suits. Instead, cards are valued according to their numbers – for instance a value of six is six points while face cards (King, Queen or Jack) count ten. When dealt an Ace and ten-value card this combination constitutes a “blackjack”, paying one and one half times your bet.
Dealers sometimes offer insurance and even money, which should be avoided by players following basic strategy. Such side bets provide only two-to-one returns – which provides inferior payoff.
If you want to double down, place additional chips adjacent to the original wager in order to indicate your intention to double up. Please be aware that splitting pairs does not allow doubling down.
Dealer’s face-down card
The dealer’s face-down card is an integral element in blackjack. It determines whether they possess a blackjack or not, enabling players to place side bets equaling up to half their original bet that the dealer holds one; should this prove successful, they must pay out insurance bets at a ratio of 2:1 or face the consequences themselves.
Communication of decisions in blackjack must be clear, otherwise miscommunication could arise between surveillance and dealers, leading to misinterpretations of intentions by them and you. Hand gestures that reflect your intentions can help avoid miscommunication that could cause serious repercussions if used incorrectly; this is especially critical when working with inexperienced dealers as improper use could be taken as evidence of cheating.
Dealer’s face-up card
The dealer’s face-up card is a crucial element of blackjack that should never be underestimated. It can influence a player’s decision whether to hit, stand, double down or split and also determines how much money will be won from each spin of the dealer’s dice.
Before cards are dealt, players place bets in their betting boxes. Once cards have been distributed by the dealer, each player and himself receive two cards: one facing up (known as “dealer’s upcard”) and another without visible surfaces (hole card/dealer’s downcard). The former remains visible while its counterpart remains unseen until it comes time for betting action to commence.
If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, players may make an insurance bet of up to half of their original bet and the dealer will ask whether or not they wish to make it; insurance pays out at 2 to 1 odds.
