Blackjack is
played with from one to eight standard decks of
cards. Each card has a count based on its face
value, ie, 2-10. Face cards are 10 points. Jacks
have no special value, only 10. Aces are counted
as either 1 or 11 points. The highest hand in
blackjack is an ace and any 10-point card and is called
a blackjack.
Blackjack
Payouts
Payout
amount
Winning
hand
3 to
2
Blackjack - any first two cards that total
21, ie. A 10, A J, AQ, AK.
1 to
1
Any
winning hand that beats the dealers total count
that does not go over 21
0
A hand
that does not beat the dealers total count or a
hand that goes over 21.
Bet
return (Push)
A hand
that ties the dealer total point
count.
A round of
blackjack begins with each player placing a bet in the
circle or logo directly in front of him. Then the dealer
will give each player and himself two cards. Player
cards are usually dealt face up. One dealer card is
dealt face up (the up card) and the other face down (the
hole card). If the dealer has an ace as the up card it
is possible he has a blackjack, and will offer
insurance. If the dealer has a ten count card they
will peek to see if the down card is an ace. If so,
then every player loses unless they have
a blackjack. The play begins and each player
has one of the following options:.
Blackjack Betting Actions
Action
Description, tips and advice
Stand
If the
player is satisfied with his hand as-is he may
stand pat. To signify you wish to stand, wave your
hand as if to wave the dealer away. In a single
deck game, tuck your cards face down under your
bet.
Hit
If the player wishes to take another
card he may continue to do so until he either
stands or busts. To signify you wish to hit, tap
the table with your finger. In a single deck game,
scrape your cards lightly against the
felt.
Double
Down
If the
player feels he needs one and only one more card
then he may double his bet and be dealt one more
card, good or bad. This option is only offered on
the first two cards, and sometimes on the first
two cards after splitting. To signify you wish to
double, place another wager next to your original
wager of equal value. In single deck, place your
cards face up by your bet.
Split
If the
player's first two cards are of equal point value
he may split them into two hands. In this event
each card is the first card of a new hand. The
player must also make another wager, of equal
value to the first wager, for the second hand.
Splitting after splitting is allowed; however,
resplitting aces is often an exception. The player
may usually split up to 2 or 3 times if another
splitting opportunity arises. Doubling after
splitting is usually but not always allowed. To
signify you wish to split put the additional wager
next to the original wager. In single deck, place
your cards face up by your bet.
Surrender
Finally,
some casinos offer the player the option to
surrender on the first two cards. If the player
does not like his prospects he may forfeit half
the bet as well as his cards. If the dealer has a
ten or ace showing, and the dealer peeks at his
hole card for a blackjack before the first
player's turn, then the option is called "late
surrender." If the dealer does not check for
blackjack, or does not take a hole card at all,
then the option is called "early surrender." Early
surrender is much better for the player, because
of the protection against a dealer
blackjack.
After all players
have played their hands, from the dealer's left to
right, the dealer will play his hand. The dealer has no
free will but must always play by certain house rules.
Usually the rule is that the dealer must hit until he
reaches a score of 17 or more. Some casinos stipulate
that if the dealer has a soft 17, an ace and any number
of cards totaling 6, he must also hit. If the dealer
busts, all players that did not bust
automatically
Blackjack is
and has been an All American pastime for over a century.
In recent years the online explosion has introduced
millions of new players to the game in online casinos
across the Internet. While Blackjack appears to
be deceptively simple, it is actually a complex
game with odds that generally favor the house. On these
pages we try to offer some tips, facts, and advice to
hlep the new players beat the casino!