AllGames Guide
Blackjack Basics
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Blackjack is a game enjoyed by millions of people around the world each year. As table games go, Blackjack is one of the most popular games—if not the most popular. It's an easy game to learn. In fact, many learn it early in life. Winning at it long term takes a little more practice and thought though.
Blackjack is a highly interactive game. What you do—or don't do—helps determine your outcome and the outcome of your table if you are playing with others. If you are playing in the real world, what you do on any hand has a ripple effect for the rest of the hands until the next shuffle.
Blackjack is a game that's fun no matter what the stakes are. Let's start at the beginning and build a better Blackjack player.
Blackjack Play
Yes, Blackjack is an easy game to learn, but we still need to go over the rules and procedures. When you first set out to play, try playing for free at an online casino. That way you get the feel for the game first.
Your goal in Blackjack is to beat that pesky dealer. The maximum hand in Blackjack is 21. You can beat the dealer in two ways. You could end up with a hand higher—but not over 21—than the dealers. For instance, if you have a 20 and the dealer has a 17, you win. The other way to beat the dealer is when the dealer busts. The word bust in Blackjack means that a hand went over 21. When the dealer busts, the remaining players win regardless of what they have.
Before we get to deep into end results, let's look at how a hand is played. You've got to love how the game is setup in the casino's advantage ever so slightly. The players all take their turns, and then the dealer takes a turn. Since the dealer goes last, it's up to you to guess what the dealer has and what might happen.
So, here's a typical hand of Blackjack. Each player, including the dealer, is dealt two cards. The cards are dealt from the dealer's left to the dealer's right—clockwise motion. The first card the dealer receives is dealt face up for all to see. Once all the cards are dealt, the player on the dealer's immediate left goes first—this is known as 1st base. The player to the dealer's immediate right is the last player to act—this is known as 3rd base and is a coveted seat at the table.
As mentioned earlier, once all the players have taken their turns, the dealer acts. Before we go over possible playing actions, let's look at hand ranks. In Blackjack, the number printed on the card is its numerical value. For instance, a 5 of clubs is worth 5. Face cards are worth 10 points, and Aces are worth 1 or 11—your choice. If you happen to be dealt an Ace and a card worth 10 points (10 or face card) on your first two cards, you have a Blackjack.
Blackjack Actions
So, you've sat down at a Blackjack table and it's your turn to act. Now what? Fear not, because I'm about to go over all your possible actions.
Take a Hit: If you want another card, you need to take a hit. If you are playing in the real world, you can say hit and scratch your cards on the table. If the came is a "no touch" type, just scratch your fingers on the table and say hit. Online players just need to push the hit button. You can take as many hits as you want until you bust, which is when you go over 21. When you bust, you lose.
Stand: When your hand is acceptable, you can end your turn by standing. If you are playing in the real word, just tuck your cards under your chips and say stand. Online players just need to hit the stand button. There isn't a mulligan feature in Blackjack, so make sure you want to end your turn before standing.
Surrender: Surrender is an option that you may never see.It's not a main fixture in the game of Blackjack, so many houses don't offer it. Should it be an option, you may like it. Basically, if you don't like your first two cards, you can surrender, which means you quit the hand.
When you surrender, you get to keep half of your wager. Why do this? Well, imagine you get a nasty hand like 16 and the dealer is showing a face card. It's possible that the dealer has a good hand. Since you have garbage, it might be best to take what you can. Everyone has his or her own feeling on this option.
Double Down: The double down move has two components. First, you double your wager. So, if you have $5 out there, you'd add another $5. Just a side note, if you are playing in the real world you can double for less. Next, you take one card and end your turn. Why would you do such a thing?
Well, let's say you have 11 and the dealer is showing a 6, there's a fair chance that by taking one more card you will get a nice hand. There's also a good chance that you'll beat the dealer. So, by doubling down, you can maximize your profits. Some say you should always double down on 11.
Split: Let's say you are dealt two 8's. You can split them and make two separate hands. You can split anytime you receive two cards of the same rank (two jacks, two aces, etc) on your first two cards. When you split, you must double your wager—to pay for the new hand—and then play both hands.
Here's an important note. Some casinos treat the splitting of aces differently. Some will let you play both hands normally, but others will only give you one card per hand. It's a very important rule differentiation.
Even Money: Let's say you are dealt Blackjack and the dealer has an Ace showing. That dealer will ask whether anyone wants insurance. If the dealer has a Blackjack as well, you just push and you get robbed out of money. However, there's a way to guarantee money on the hand. If you feel the dealer has a Blackjack—or just want to be paid—call even money to the dealer. You'll be paid even money—so, $50 pays $50—regardless of what the dealer has.
Insurance: We just talked about the dealer showing an Ace and asking for insurance. If you take insurance, you push out a wager that's equal to half of your initial wager. For instance, let's say you bet $50 on the hand, you would place a $25 bet on insurance. If the dealer has Blackjack, all your money is pushed back to you—hence the word insurance. However, if the dealer doesn't have Blackjack, you lose your insurance bet. This is considered a sucker bet by many.
Blackjack Pay
Perhaps another reason Blackjack is so popular is the simple pay formula. All bets are paid even money. So, let's say you bet $100 on a hand and win, you would be paid $100. Pretty easy right? The only difference is when you are lucky enough to score a Blackjack. Those hands are paid 1.5x. Again, let's say you bet $100 and get a Blackjack. You would be the lucky recipient of $150.
Here's a good tip for those of you playing in the real world. It's proper etiquette to tip when you are winning. There are two ways to tip. The first is known by most and that's where you just give the tip to the dealer. The second is less known and that's when you let the dealer play with you. To do this place the tip above your wager on the layout and let the dealer know that he/she is playing with you. Dealers love playing with you, because they can make more money that way.
We've covered pretty much everything you need to know to play a game of Blackjack. Now, it's time to go a little deeper and look at strategy and tips. Unless you know some of the information that follows, you'll be pretty limited and probably won't win too much. Let's get started.
Blackjack Strategy and Tips
Okay, let's get right into a series of Blackjack tips that will help you go from zero to hero at the Blackjack table. What follows aren't always concrete rules. Rather, they are recommended guidelines.
Betting: Never bet more than you can afford to lose and never walk up to a Blackjack table and bet without giving yourself a chance to withstand the streak storms. Let's say you are willing to risk $200 at the Blackjack table. You wouldn't want to walk up and play $50 hands. If you did this, you would only have 4 losses until you are done playing. Try to give yourself at least 20 losses. This will help you stay on the roller coaster that is gambling. So, if you have $200 to spend, try playing $10 hands or less. Splitting: There are two tips for splitting that all new players should know. The first is actually a commandment. Never split tens and face cards. You already have 20, which is a stellar hand in Blackjack. Don't get greedy, because you'll most likely end up losing your shirt. The second tip is to split those 8's. Think about it. Having 16 is a very bad hand in Blackjack, but if you split those 8's, you might end up with two good hands. Your goal is to make at least one winning hand, so you get your money back.
Double Down on 11: As I mentioned earlier, many feel you should always double down on 11. It's an easy rule to remember and that's fine. Some will tell you to never double down when the dealer is showing a ten or face card. You'll need to figure this out for yourself. Just know this. If you are playing single deck Blackjack, you technically have a 50% probability of ending up with a 18 or better. Of course, this depends on what cards are in play and what cards have been used.
Let the dealer bust: One of the ways to win a hand in Blackjack is to let the dealer bust. If the dealer is showing a 6, there's a chance that the dealer must hit. Let's say the dealer has 16, any card 6 or greater causes a bust. When the dealer is showing hit cards (2,3,4,5 and 6), don't bust. For instance, let's say the dealer is showing a 4 and you have 15. Your best play is to stand and hope the dealer busts.
Online Play: If you are going to play online, you need to know that it's a little different from real world play. The software you are playing might use a single deck for Blackjack, but it most likely shuffles after each hand. This can be a good and bad thing. If your Blackjack education travels leads you to learning how to count cards, just know that this won't help you with online Blackjack.
Decks Used: Blackjack can be played with 1,2,4 or 8 decks. The fewer the decks, the better the odds are for you. Most online casinos offer single deck Blackjack, but they shuffle after each hand. Most brick and mortar casinos offer the 4 and 8 version of Blackjack for their lower limit tables. For instance, you might find single deck Blackjack, but the table limit might be $25 per hand, whereas, the $5 tables are using 8 decks.
I hope you've enjoyed this Blackjack tutorial. You are now educated enough to start winning at Blackjack. From here, you'll want to study more strategy and play often to hone your skills. Good luck at the tables!