The Basics of Blackjack
Probably the most popular casino game in the world is Blackjack. It is played by a single or multiple players, using a conventional 52 card deck. The objective of the game is to draw a hand total that is higher than the dealer without going over 21. If the player or dealer’s hand is closer to 21, then the player will lose his or her bet.
The most important card is the ace, which counts as either one or eleven. The ace and 10 are called jacks or queens. The best cards for the player are the ten-valued cards. The other cards count at an index value.
The first two cards are dealt to each player. If the dealer has an ace up, then the player may want to take the insurance option. This pays out 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack. It costs 50% of the player’s original bet, and is only available on the first two cards.
After the dealer’s second card is drawn, the player has two options: to stand or to surrender. If the dealer’s second card does not result in Blackjack, the player’s bet is lost. If the dealer’s second card does result in Blackjack, the dealer’s hand is declared a Blackjack and the hand is completed. If the dealer has a hand that is closer to 17 than the player’s hand, then the dealer is required to hit. The player will be given the opportunity to double their bet if the dealer’s down card is a ten.
Aside from the main blackjack bet, there are several side bets. These are often placed in a special area next to the main wager box. A blackjack side bet can be placed on the dealer’s bust, on a split pair, or on a certain amount of cards. These bets are generally not offered if the player’s account balance is insufficient.
Another common type of side bet is the Spanish 21, which is popular in many parts of the United States. This type of blackjack has many of the same rules as a standard blackjack. The key difference is that the Spanish 21 removes all tens from the shoe. The other advantage to the Spanish 21 is that the doubling down and double up options are available on the same hand.
The last, and perhaps the most important, side bet in blackjack is the insurance bet. This is a wager on the dealer’s ace. The wager is paid out in the form of a double on the ace and a single on the rest of the dealer’s hand. This is a good option if the ace is a face card. However, the insurance bet is only offered if the ace is a face-up ace, and it should be avoided if the dealer’s ace is a face-down ace.
Blackjack is a fun game, but you can’t really win if the dealer gets the same card as you. That’s why it’s a good idea to check out a hot and cold table before playing.