The Basics of Blackjack
Blackjack is a game of chance and skill. Essentially, you play against the dealer in an attempt to beat him at his own game. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, which is divided into two groups: face cards and ten-valued cards. The values of these cards are based on numerical value from 2 to 10. You have to keep in mind that the color of the card has no effect on your chances of winning.
The first two cards dealt to each player are the best possible combination, and are called “natural” (also known as “perfect” or “perfect blackjack”). Any other card, whether a ten-valued card or an ace, counts as an 11, and a hand of 17 or more is called a bust.
After the first two cards are dealt, the player can choose to take another card or to surrender. If the first two cards are the ace and ten-valued card, the player wins automatically. If the first two cards are a pair of aces, it is considered a soft hand and can’t split or 5-5.
The rules of blackjack vary from casino to casino, but the goal of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible. The higher the score, the more likely the player is to win. If the dealer has blackjack, the game is over and you lose your bet. You can also choose to get insurance, which will pay you 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. However, this bet will cost half of your initial bet.
After the cards are dealt, the dealer checks to see if he has a blackjack. If he does, the bet is paid out and you win. Otherwise, you lose your bet. If the dealer has blackjack, he has to draw additional cards and you must stand. If the dealer’s second card is a ten, you can buy insurance. If the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack, the bet is returned.
If the dealer’s first card is an ace, the dealer can’t double down. However, if the dealer’s second card is a face card, you can buy insurance. The amount you pay for insurance will depend on the size of your bet. You can also surrender your bet before the dealer reveals his or her first card. This option is especially valuable if you think the dealer’s hand will be close to 21, because you can avoid losing your bet.
The player is always the first to act in the game of blackjack. If the dealer has a natural, the players’ bets are collected. This is often done in a round of 3:2. Similarly, if the dealer has a natural, the dealer gets his or her bet back. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to take the other player’s bet, as long as you make no more than half of the original wager.
Some casinos offer a reduced payout for blackjack. In 2003, some casinos started paying 6:5, but this has been restricted to single-deck games. The odds for a player to win blackjack are usually about 9:4 (2.25:1). This has resulted in longtime blackjack players decrying the reduction. In the end, the rules of the game are based on the house’s statistical advantage over the players. In order to counter this advantage, casinos have introduced multi-deck games, which allow for more cards to be played.
