Blackjack is a card game for intellectuals, mathematicians and those who love a real chance of beating the house. Until recently, it was one of the more obscure casino games that sat beside brawny craps, but its popularity is growing. Blackjack is a tabletop game that uses a standard 52-card deck and can be played by up to seven players (or “spots”). The dealer stands behind a chip rack and blackjack table, a semicircular one that can accommodate varying numbers of spots.
The Rules of the Game
When all bets have been placed, the dealer will make a swipe from right to left on the table. This is not a gesture to bid farewell or wish the players luck, but rather a way to signal that betting has closed. This will prevent any disputes over when bets were made and maintain a smooth, streamlined gaming experience for everyone at the table.
Each player and the dealer will then receive two cards. If your first two cards add up to 21 or an Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen or King, then you have a Blackjack, which pays one and a half times your wager. A blackjack win is paid automatically, whereas a tie is a push and you keep your original wager.
After the dealer receives her two cards, she will draw for her hand. If her point total is closer to 21 than yours, then you have won the round and are paid an amount equal to your initial wager. Alternatively, the dealer may have a higher point total than yours and in this case you will lose.
The dealer will then reveal her hole card. If the card is a ten, then the dealer has a blackjack and all players will lose their original bets. However, if the dealer does not have a blackjack, then you will get your original bet back and your side bet will pay out at 2 to 1 if you had bet on it.
A blackjack player should never split a pair of 8s or 10s, and they should always split against a dealer showing a card of 2 to 7. If a player splits a pair of aces and the dealer has a Blackjack, then that is a push and the player keeps their original bet amount.
The most important thing to remember when playing blackjack is that the goal is to beat the dealer. While there are many strategies and systems to help improve your chances of winning, at its simplest level all you need to do is draw a higher hand value than the dealer. This can be achieved by hitting on your first two cards if they are valued at 12-16 or standing if they are worth 17 or more. The dealer will then draw for their hand until they reach a point total of 17 or more, and the winner is the player who has a higher hand value than the dealer.