The Basics of Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. In the game, players are dealt two cards and can choose to hit (ask for more cards) or stand (stop hitting). The dealer also receives two cards, but only one is face up. The player wins if his or her hand totals more than the dealer’s without going over 21. The dealer loses if they go over 21, or if their hand is a bust. Ties are a push.
The rules of blackjack vary slightly between casinos, but the basics are similar. The dealer stands behind a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players, which are called “spots.” Each player places his or her bets in chips in their designated spot on the table before the cards are dealt. The game is played against the dealer and other players, not against other tables or other players.
If a player’s first two cards are an Ace and a ten-card, or a picture card and a 10, it is a blackjack, or a “natural.” The player is paid one and a half times the amount of their bet if they have a natural. The dealer must pay a player with a natural before he or she can collect the bets from players who do not have blackjack.
The rest of a hand is determined by the strength of the player’s second card and the dealer’s up-card. For example, a strong player should split two aces if the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7; but not if the dealer has an 8. It is important for a player to know when to hit and when to stand.
During the course of a blackjack game, the dealer will offer players insurance. If a player has an ace and the dealer shows a ten, the player can place an insurance wager equal to half of his or her original bet. The dealer will then flip over the hole card and, if it is a ten, the players who bought insurance will win 2 to 1 on their insurance bets.
Buying insurance is generally a bad idea. The odds of the dealer having a blackjack are very slim, and it is more likely that the player will lose his or her insurance bet than win it. Moreover, the money that the player will spend buying insurance will be far greater than the winnings on his or her original bet. Therefore, the player should always decline insurance.