Blackjack is the casino game in which players compete against a dealer to accumulate cards that total as close to 21 as possible without going over. The game uses one or more 52-card decks. Each card has a value of its own, such as the number on the card, a face card (jack, queen or king), or an ace, which can count as either 1 or 11 depending on the situation.
Each player starts the game with two cards. The dealer then deals himself an upcard and a downcard. If the upcard is an ace, he offers “insurance” to players, which pays 2 to 1. Players may also place side bets in addition to their blackjack wager. These side bets typically pay out at 1:1, but the player must have a blackjack wager to qualify.
After the cards are dealt, each player can choose to stand (stop drawing cards) or hit (request additional cards). If a player’s total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, he wins. If the dealer has a higher total, he sweeps the player’s bet and the hand ends. A tied hand is called a push and the player gets his original bet back.
The first step to becoming a blackjack master is learning the rules and customs of the game. Some of these include:
Keeping Up With the Odds
A good understanding of basic strategy will increase your odds of winning. You’ll need to know which hands to hit and which ones to stand on, and you should always try to beat the dealer when you can. You should also avoid putting your money in the betting circle until the dealer swipes the table twice, once to open and once to close betting.
When to Hit or Stand
A hand with an ace and a 10 is referred to as a natural, or blackjack. This is the best possible hand in the game and pays 3:2 in most casinos. It’s important to remember that you should only hit if the dealer has an up-card that is a 10 or a face card. Otherwise, you risk busting your hand and losing.
The game is usually played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players, from five to 12. Each player places his wager in the appropriate circle on the betting grid. The dealer stands behind the table and chip rack. Players are often encouraged to place a side bet in addition to their blackjack wager. Generally, this side bet must be equal to or greater than the blackjack wager and is made by placing chips in the designated area next to the box for the main wager. Side bets are also sometimes offered in conjunction with certain promotions.