How To Play Blackjack

When playing Blackjack, either online or in a casino, there are some pretty basic things to keep in mind. The object of the game, is to get closer to 21, without going over 21, than the house, or the dealer. All cards have face value, all face cards are valued at ten and aces can be counted as one or eleven.

How to play blackjack? The game starts by you placing a wager for the next hand to be dealt. You will be dealt two cards, as well as the dealer, but you will only see one of the dealer’s cards, which is called an “up card”. You will be given the option to; hit, stand, split or double down. Hitting would mean you will receive an additional card, standing you would not receive any additional cards, splitting a pair, such as eight’s or ace’s means you would have to match your original wager and the pair gets split in to two separate hands, or double down, which means you could place a second bet, up to the amount of your original bet, to receive only one additional card.

After everyone has executed their decisions for their hands, the dealer goes last, if the dealer breaks, everyone left in the hand will get paid, one to one odds, otherwise each person’s bet will be taken or paid, depending upon their card total, in relation to the dealer’s card total. Closer to 21 wins, 22, or higher loses, everytime.

If you get a “Blackjack” or a “Natural 21” you would get paid three to two odds, or “time and a half” if the dealer does not also have a “Blackjack” or “Natural 21” of his or her own, if they do, it’s a “push” or a tie. A “Blackjack” or “Natural 21” is when your initial two cards are an ace and a ten valued card. If you get a “Blackjack” and the dealer’s up card is an Ace, you will most likely be offered the option to accept, “Even Money” which means you can decide to not find out if the dealer/house has a “Blackjack” as well, but rather you take one to one odds immediately, forfeiting your pay off of three to two odds.

There is also a time where you maybe offered to “take insurance”. This means the dealer has an Ace for an up card and could possibly have a “Blackjack”. By “taking insurance” you are placing a second bet, up to half of your original bet, betting that the dealer/house has a “Blackjack”. If you do place this bet, and the dealer does have a “Blackjack” you will lose your original bet, but get paid two to one odds on your insurance bet, meaning you have just broken even. Most “basic strategy” players will suggest against taking this bet, the odds are against you, if you wager on the dealer/house having the “Blackjack”.

There maybe other players at the table, either an online table or casino table, but those players are simply playing against the dealer/house as well, so you do not have to worry about the outcome of their hands, you are only playing against the house/dealer.

These are just the basics of how the game is played. The game, itself is rather simple and fast paced, but you can take the game to the next level and play a much more advanced strategy, but for the average player, at least in the beginning will be looking to play a “basic strategy” for the game of Blackjack. To play “basic strategy” you can go in to most casino gift shops, or look around a little online, and find a credit card sized, pocket card, that has a multi-colored chart on it, that will show you when it is most advised to hit, stand, split or double down. The card’s advice is based upon calculated odds. The card is rather inexpensive, but well worth the purchase. Basic strategy will not make you rich, but will hopefully minimize your losses and give you a better understanding of the odds involved in the game.

Do you think blackjack is an exciting game? Then you should try playing online poker sometime. You can even get free poker money.