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Playing Blackjack – Don't Be Deceived by its Seeming Simplicity
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world, simply because it seems so simple. After all, what could be easier than hitting twenty-one on a hand of the game? However, this seeming simplicity is deceptive, and has led to many a player losing their shirt at the blackjack tables.
In blackjack, players are initially dealt two cards. If one player’s cards add up to twenty-one or a value close to twenty-one such nineteen or twenty, then he wins. If not then the players may ask for additional cards until a player reaches twenty-one or close to it or exceeds twenty-one (in which case the player is ‘busted’ and is out of the round).
In casino play, the players play against the dealer. They first place their bets in the betting box and then receive their first two cards. A player wins if he gets a higher total than the dealer but without exceeding twenty-one. The king, queen and jack cards are worth ten; the ace may be either one or eleven, depending on the player’s choice. A player may ask to receive additional cards or stay with his hand; then, the dealer plays his hand. If a player busts, he is out; if the dealer busts, he loses to the players still in the game. If no one busts, then the winner is the player with the highest card count. If a player’s card count ties with that of the dealer, his hand is considered a ‘push’ and his bet is returned.
There are four moves a player can make in a round: he can ask to be hit, meaning be dealt another card; stand or stay, meaning he will take no more cards and stay with his hand; double-down, in which a player, after receiving his first two cards, can double his initial bet but can receive only one more card from the dealer; and split a pair, in which a player with two cards of the same value can split them into two separate bets. The dealer then deals two more cards to make two hands. Some casinos may also allow a player to surrender, in which a player may give up half his bet and not play his hand.
The basic strategy for playing blackjack is a bit complicated, since the player decides his next move based on his current hand, the dealer’s face up card (during play, one of the dealer’s two cards is face up). For example, if you have a hand of 16 and the dealer’s face up card is between 2 to 6, then you should stand. If the dealer’s face card is higher, then you should hit or surrender, if the casino offers that option. You can download such strategy tables online and study them carefully before you play. They do not guarantee 100% success but they will certainly help improve your odds of winning.
How to play casino game blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the casino world. In its original form, it has been around since the beginning of the 17th Century or even earlier, possibly originating from Spain. With all most all online casinos players get to play the most up to date and easy to use Blackjack game ever.
The game is simple to understand and very easy to learn. The objective of Blackjack game is to get the total value of the cards in the hand as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21. The hand with the highest total wins. If the total value of cards is 22 or more, the hand loses instantly.
Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value. Jack, Queen and King are all worth 10. The value of the Ace is 11 unless this would cause you to bust, in which case it is worth 1. A hand where the value of Aces counted as 11 is called a soft hand, because it cannot be busted if the player draws another card.
Your goal is to beat the dealer by having the higher, unbusted hand. Note that if you bust, you lose, even if the dealer also busts. If you and the dealer have equal points, it is called a PUSH, and neither of you wins the hand.
After the initial bets are placed (between pound 1 and 500), the dealer deals the cards from six decks of cards, all mixed together. The dealer gives two cards to you and also two to himself. One of the dealers two cards is face up, the other is face down, this is known as the HOLE CARD.
You have a variety of options to choose from after the first two cards are dealt out. You are advised to take the dealers visible card into consideration in making your decision to HIT or STAND. Players will normally stand on anything from 16 to 21, and will normally take a hit on anything 11 and below. Players can hit as many times as they want provided they don not go over 21. Hint: taking multiple hits is a calculated risk that must be taken if the dealer is showing a strong up card such as a face card or an Ace.
After you have finished making decisions, the dealer reveals the hole card and plays the hand. If the dealers total amount is between 17 and 21, the dealer must STAND; meaning he cannot hit any more cards. If the total amount of his cards is equal or less that 16, the dealer will continue to hit cards until he reaches a total amount of 17 or more. As soon as he exceeds 21, the dealer loses the game and you win the bet.
A two card hand of 21, just as an ace plus a ten-value card is called a Black jack or a NATURAL, and is an automatic winner, unless the dealer has Blackjack as well, in which case the hand is a push.