Understanding the Basics of Blackjack
Blackjack is the classic casino table game. You compete against the dealer, trying to get your hand closer to 21 than theirs. If you reach 21, you win and are paid an amount equal to your original wager. If your hand is less than 21, it’s a “bust,” and you lose your bet. If your hand is a 21 or higher, you receive one and a half times your bet.
Despite its simplicity, blackjack is a complicated game with many rules and strategies. To understand blackjack, it is important to know what cards are in the deck and their values. A standard deck has 52 cards, thirteen of which are different in value: Aces can count as either one or 11, and all the face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) have a value of 10.
The Deal
Once all players have placed their bets, the dealer will deal each player two cards, facing up. You can then choose to “hit,” or request additional cards, or “stand,” or keep your current hand. The dealer will then reveal their card and act according to predetermined rules.
Some casinos deviate from the above procedures. For example, they may remove all the ten-value cards from the shoe. This changes the odds in favor of the players by reducing the number of high cards in the deck. They may also allow players to re-double after splitting hands, and stand on soft 17.
In any case, these deviations from the basic rules increase the house edge, so be sure to play at casinos that follow the basic rules.
The Dealer
The dealer is a key part of any blackjack game. The dealer’s goal is to make a hand that totals close to 21 but doesn’t go over, or bust. The dealer must also beat the players, so if a player has a higher hand than the dealer, they win. If the dealer has a higher hand than the players, they pay out the remaining wagers of those who haven’t busted. If the dealers hand is equal to the players’s, it’s a push or a tie and the cards are swept away. This is why you should never be afraid to cheer on another player’s good hand. It’s polite to do so, and it makes the game more fun for everyone at the table.