The Basics of Blackjack
Blackjack is a game of chance played using a standard deck of cards and one player at a time. The object of the game is to beat the dealer by drawing a hand value that exceeds 21. While the most popular casino card game, it is not the only option for the avid gambler.
Blackjack is a classic game. Originally it was played with a single deck, but the deck has been expanded to several dozen, with some casinos offering as many as eight decks. It is played on a semicircular table with five or seven players seated on the opposite side. There are also hot and cold tables. You can tell which ones are hot by watching.
If you are lucky enough to get a good number of cards, you may be able to take the risky step of splitting them. This is a specialized version of the normal blackjack game where you receive two additional cards on each hand. In most cases, the dealer has to make a stand on a split hand, but you can choose to double down, stand, or take a hit.
A blackjack player has two choices when they are in the mood to play the “short-game”. They can buy insurance and take advantage of a table’s “Dealer Match” option. These options will pay out if your initial two cards match the dealer’s up card. Insurance costs half of your original bet, but pays out 2 to 1.
Aside from the main wager, there are several other types of side bets you can make. Generally, these bets are placed next to the main wager box, but some are more complex and require you to bet the whole thing at once.
Using the blackjack rule of thumb, it should be fairly easy to figure out what is the most expensive bet you can place. Some games limit the bet increase to two. However, if you are confident that you can beat the dealer, you can increase your bet as often as you like.
One of the most valuable cards in the game is the ace. When you have an ace, you can make the following moves: doubling down, split, or take a hit.
The best strategy is to never take even money. This is because the house has an edge. So, to the average player, it makes no sense to put more money on a game that has a 50% house advantage. But, if you are an experienced player, it is wise to try your luck and see if you can catch the dealer’s bluff.
Blackjack is a great game to play, especially when you know the rules. If you follow basic strategy, you should be able to reduce your long-term casino advantage by at least 1%. Nevertheless, if you are a novice at the game, you should not expect to get rich. Remember that the goal is to beat the dealer and that the winnings are oftentimes small.
