Object: Black Jack is for the most part a simple game of 21. The object is to get a combined total of cards in point value to 21 without going over, while at the same time beating the dealer by having more points than he has.
Points: All numbered cards i.e. (2, 3, 6, 9) are at face value. A 4 is worth 4 points and so on. The face cards i.e. (jack, queen, king) are worth 10. And last of all the ace is the most powerful of all cards due to the fact that it can be worth 1 or 11 points. The value of the ace is determined on what you want it to be and can change at any time.
For example, if the dealer gives you an ace and a queen. You already know that the queen is worth 10 points and you are trying to get to 21. So, it would only make sense that the ace should be worth 11 instead of 1. This combination of cards is of course Black Jack. When you have 21 points with only 2 cards, that is considered an automatic win with Black Jack. Nothing can beat this hand, not even the dealer if he has the same. Another example would be, if you were dealt a 4 and an ace. You would have a combined total of 15. Now if you ask for another card and are dealt an 8, instead of having 23 points, the ace would now be worth 1 point and you would now have a combined total of 13 points.
Hit: “Hitting or hit me” means that you are asking the dealer for another card.
Stay: “Holding or staying” means that you are satisfied with what you have and you don’t want another card.
Busting: And finally, when either you or the dealer goes over 21 that is what they call “busting.”
Dealing: When the game starts, the dealer will deal you two cards up and himself one up and one down. You are not to know what his down card is until after you have decided to “stay” or a have “busted.”
Dealer’s Options: In traditional Black Jack, the dealer will always stay on 17. What this means is after all players have decided to hold or have busted, he/she will turn their cards up for everyone to see and continue hitting until they have 17 or more points.
Note: Remember this little rule, it will come in handy later on in this book.
Hand Signals: Now, when sitting at the Black Jack table most people don’t say, “hit me” or “I’ll stay,” instead they use different hand signals. Waving your hand from side to side over your cards means that you will stay and don’t need another card. If you want to hit, take your fingertips and rake them toward you gently on the surface of the table. Remember not to touch your cards though. Most of the casinos will get very nervous if you start playing with your cards. Don’t make any problems for yourself. Just don’t touch them, let the dealer take care of that.
Betting: Before the cards are dealt you will have to make a bet (I’ll help with this in the next chapter) on how much you want to risk. You will place the chips or money in a designated circle on the felt table, and once all bets are in, then the cards will be dealt. Once the dealing has started you are not allowed to change the bet, unless you want to double down or split (see below).
Push: If after the hand is over and the dealer and you have the same amount on your cards then it is called a “push” and neither of you wins and your bet stays on the table for the next round. Basically, you won your money back as if nothing happened.
Caution: In some casinos the dealer automatically wins when there is a tie (please see “Special Casino Rules” below).
Splitting: If you are dealt 2 of the same card, you are given the option to split them. For example, if you are dealt two 7’s. The dealer will ask if you want to split. This will turn your one hand into two. Just keep in mind if you bet $5 on the original hand you must bet $5 on the new one also! So, you can win twice as much if both hands are winners but you can also lose twice as much if both hands are losing. If one hand is a winner and the other is losing, that’s fine, you broke even.
Doubling Down: This is a little trickier. Doubling down means if you are dealt two cards totaling 10 or 11 then you have the option to double your bet hoping that you will get an ace or face card (or 10), giving you a Black Jack. Again, you risk losing double what you originally bet, but have a chance to win double also.
Insurance: This is when the dealer’s showing card is an ace or face card. Not knowing what the other card is, you are asking for insurance that it won’t be a Black Jack for the dealer. If you take insurance you only lose ½ of your original bet but on the other hand only win ½ if you win.
Special Casino Rules: All casinos are the same in the fact that ‘Black Jack’ automatically wins. However, some casinos have additional special rules. For example, if you keep hitting your hand and get a total of 5 cards without busting, it is considered an automatic win. Also, at some casinos, the dealer always wins with a tie. Make sure that you understand all the house and table rules before starting to play. If you don’t, trust me, they won’t give your money back if you lose to a lack of knowledge.
Other Types of Black Jack: There are several types of Black Jack games out there. In order for me to sit here and describe them all would be a complete waste of time for you and me. I’ll give you an example of one of my other favorite games to play. That game is Caribbean Black Jack. The main difference between the two is that in the Caribbean game, the dealer deals both of his cards up making it a lot easier to decide to hit or stay. Again, just make sure you are completely aware of all the rules before you start to play. Just watching the other gamblers play before you start can help a lot.
Ф
ØØØØØ
1st Publication 2003
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the express written permission from the Author of the "30 Day Business."
