BLACKJACK
The object of the game of black jack is to accumulate cards that adds up to as closer to 21 than the dealers cards without going over 21. Numbered cards are worth their number value and face cards (ie Kings, Queens and Jacks) are worth 10 and Aces are worth 1 or 11 whichever is more beneficial to your hand.
You win by having a set of cards closer to 21 than your dealer or if the dealer busts by going over 21. You lose by busting ie going over 21 or if the dealer has cards closer to 21 than you. If your hand and the dealers hand are of equal value it is called a push and your money is given back to you.
You begin by being dealt 2 cards face up, the dealer will also deal himself 2 cards, one face up and one face down so you can only see one of them. Obviously you can see both of your own cards.
Once you have been dealt your cards you now have a number of options
Hit:
Request to receive another card, this can be done as many time as you want but remember you do not want to go over 21
Stand:
Request no more cards, you've decided that you are content with
your current hand and your hand will be judged against the dealers
Split:
If you have a pair of cards ie 2 aces or 2 sevens, you will be allowed to split them. This splits the cards into two hands which will be played separately, you will also have to put up the same bet for this second hand. You now play these split hands as per usual unless you were splitting aces when you can only hit once. You also cannot split for a second time after splitting once ie you cannot split a split hand
Double down:
This requests to double your initial bet and receive on more card and then stand. Note you can only receive one card when doubling down
Insurance:
If the dealers face up card is an ace, you can take insurance. Taking insurance means that you are betting half your original bet that the dealers face down card is a card worth 10. This bet pays out at 2 to 1. So it saves your original bet if the dealer has blackjack.
Once you stand and your hand is judged against the dealers hand, if you win you get back your original bet plus the same again for winning. If your hand consists of an ace and a card valued 10 is called a blackjack and if you win with this hand you will be paid at three to two, so you would get your original bet back plus one and a half time back in winnings. If you lose your bet is taken by the dealer.
There are some rules that the dealer has to stick to when playing his hand, though these depend on the variation of blackjack being played. For example in European Blackjack the rules are the dealer stands on soft 17, played may only double on hard totals of 9-11, player may double after a split, no-peek (player loses total bet, including after doubling or splitting, if dealer has blackjack).
For each variation of blackjack a strategy card can be made stating the optimal action to be taken bearing in mind your hand and the face up card of the dealer. The strategy card for European Blackjack is shown below
Good luck and enjoy playing. Click the link below to sign up to the online
casino i play at.
interested in poker? how about take advantage of the bonus on offer at titan poker, this is where I play, maybe see you at the tables.
If you want a poker guide and a Texas hold'em odds calculator just email me and I will email them to you for free if you have a titan poker account