Blackjack

Blackjack is also known as Twenty-One. In this game the rules are simple. To make it more adventurous, you can create a high strategy. In fact, the expert player who calculates the game perfectly and is able to count cards, the odds are often in that player’s favor to win.

OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME

All the players attempt to beat the dealer by getting a count closer to 21 as much as possible, without crossing 21.

BETTING

Before the deal starts, all players place a bet, in chips, before them in the designated area. Minimum and maximum limits are defined on the betting, and the normal limits are from $2 to $500.

THE DEAL

Once all the players have placed their bets, the dealer places one card face up to each player in clockwise, and then one card face up to himself. In the next round of cards is then dealt face up to each player, and the dealer takes his second card face down. Thus, all the players receive two cards face up, and the dealer receives one card face up and one card face down.

THE PLAY

The left player starts first and decides whether to “stand” (not ask for another card) or “hit” (ask for another card to get closer to a count of 21). He may stand on the two cards already dealt him, or may ask the dealer for additional cards, one at a time until he either decides to stand on the total or goes “bust”. In this process, the player loses and the dealer collects the bet wagered. The dealer then goes to the next player to his left and serves him in the same way.

The fusion of an ace with a card other than a ten-card is called a “soft hand,” as the player can count the ace as a 1 or 11, and either draw cards or not.

THE DEALER’S PLAY

When the dealer completes serving all the player, his face-down card is turned up. If the total is 17 or more, he has to stand. In case the total is 16 or less, he takes a card. He continues to take cards until the total is 17 or more.

SPLITTING PAIRS

In case a player’s first two cards are of the same denomination, like two jacks or two sevens, he may opt to consider them as two separate hands when his turn comes around. The two hands are thus treated individually, and the dealer settles with each on its merits. With a pair of aces, the player is offered with a single card for each ace.

DOUBLING DOWN

A player can also double his bet when the original two cards dealt total 9, 10, or 11. The player can place a bet equal to the original bet, and the dealer offers him only one card, which is placed face down and is not showed up until the bets are completed. The player may split a pair, double down, or just simply can play the hand. The dealer does not split or double down.

SETTLEMENT

If the dealer crosses 21, he pays every player who has stood the amount of that player’s bet. In case the dealer stands at 21 or less, he pays the bet of any player having a higher bet not exceeding 21 and collects the bet of any one player having a lower total.

RESHUFFLING

When all the bets of every player are settled, the dealer collects the player’s cards and places them face up at the side against a clear plastic L-shaped shield. The dealer deal from the shoe until he comes to the plastic insert card, which means now it’s time to reshuffle. Once that round of play is complete, the dealer shuffles all the cards, prepares them for the cut, puts the cards in the shoe, and continues the game.

BASIC STRATEGY

You need to play each hand in an optimum way and keep a track of what the dealer’s upcard is. If the dealer’s upcard is a good one, a 7, 8, 9, 10-card, or ace, for instance, you should not stop drawing until a total of 17 or more is achieved. If the dealer’s upcard is a poor one, 4, 5, or 6, you should stop drawing as soon as you get a total of 12 or higher. Do not take a card if there is any chance of going bust. Wait for the dealer to hit over 21.

With a soft hand, continue to hit until a total of at least 18 is reached. With a total of 11, you should double down. With a total of 10, you should double down unless the dealer shows a ten-card or an ace. In case you have a total of 9, double down only if the dealer’s card is fair or poor.