How to play blackjack

Playing the game
Blackjack 20 basic rules
Blackjack playing options
Blackjack betting rules

When you play blackjack your aim is to get a card point total higher than the dealer does, without going over 21. Remember; although blackjack is also called 21, you are actually playing to beat the dealer, not to get as close to 21 as possible.

Blackjack in the web based as well as the land-based casinos is not a group game, while there may be many players around the table the dealer only plays with one player at a time.

Playing the game

Blackjack is played with any amount of decks between one and eight. The round begins with each player placing his bet in the circle directly in front of him. The dealer then starts with the player to his left and deals him one card; he then continues dealing every player at the table one card and finally one to himself (face up). This round is repeated - dealing all the players a second card. The dealer's second card is dealt face down.

When everyone has their two cards the dealer again starts with the player to his left and asks if he wants further cards, these cards are dealt one at a time, until the player busts or indicates that he wants to stand. After all players have played their hands, the dealer will play his. The dealer has no free will. He must always play by certain house rules. These rules usually tell you that the dealer will hit when his total is 16, and stand when his score is 17 or more.

After the dealer has finished with his hand, he will pay off bets with better hands, collect bets on worse hands, or in the case of a tie "pushes". If the dealer busts, all players that didn't, automatically win. Players then collect their winnings, if any, and can make a new bet as a new round begins.


Blackjack 10 basic rules

1. All cards are dealt face up. (Unless it's a one-deck game)
2. The players are not to touch their cards or the original bet on the table.
3. All face cards (king, queen etc.) are ten points.
4. Aces are worth either one (hard) or eleven (soft) points.
5. The player wins if his hand has more points than the dealer, without going over twenty-one.
6. The highest hand in blackjack is an ace and any ten-point card and is called a blackjack.
7. A winning blackjack pays 3:2.
8. All other winning bets pay even money.
9. If both dealer and player have a blackjack the bet is a push.
10. A hand with points over 21 (a bust) loses




Playing options
After all players were dealt the first two cards, the dealer will ask each player in turn, from left to right if he wants more cards. The player decides what to do depending on what cards he has and what cards the dealer has showing. The options available for the player are the following:

Stand: If you are satisfied with your cards you may signal you don't want additional cards. To indicate a stand, you wave your hand as if to wave the dealer away. In a one-deck game, put your cards face down under your bet.

Hit: If you want to take another card you may continue to do so until you stand or bust. To indicate you wish to hit tap the table with your finger. In a one-deck game, scrape your cards lightly against the felt.

Double: If you feel you need only one more card you may double your bet and then be dealt one more card- good or bad. This option is possible only on the first two cards. Some casinos restrict doubling to hands totaling 9, 10 or 11. To indicate a double you place an equal value wager next to your original bet. In a one-deck game, place your cards face up next to your bet.

Split: If your first two cards are of equal point value, you can divide them into two hands. Each card is then the first of a new hand. You must also place a bet of the same value as the first, for the second hand. You can resplit if the opportunity arises. Double after splitting is not always allowed. To indicate a split put the additional bet beside the original one.

Surrender: This option is offered in some casinos. On the first two cards, if you feel you will be unable to beat the dealer's hand you announce "surrender", the dealer then picks up your cards and half of your bet but leaves the other half of the bet, thus, if losing, you have saved half of your money. This option is mostly offered after the dealer checks for blackjack, called "late surrender". In some casino's you must announce your surrender decision before the dealer deals to the first hand.

Online blackjack: when playing the game on the Internet, clicking the specific button signals all moves. For instance, when wanting another card, clicking the "hit" button etc.

Once all of the players are finished the dealer plays his. The dealer has only the two options of hit or stand and they are governed by a set of rules. The rules generally state that if the dealer has 16 or less he must take a card and if he has a count of 17 or more he has to stand.

After the dealer has played his hand he collects losing bets, pays winning ones and pushes the ties. A round is then finished and a new one can begin.


Blackjack betting rules

All betting is done before the first card is dealt.

The players win even money if they better the dealer, and win 3 to 2 for a blackjack ($15 paid on a $10 bet).

If you split aces you are allowed to play only one card on each of the two aces, and if you do get a ten as the second card it is not considered a blackjack. These hands will beat a dealers hand if it totals 21, but lose if the dealer gets a blackjack, and only pays even money if the player wins.

Insurance bets

This bet is offered if the dealer's face card is an ace. In this case he will ask if anyone wants insurance, this is a side bet on the dealer having a card worth ten as his face down card - meaning he has blackjack. If you think the dealer has a ten you can bet an amount up to the value of your original bet and if you are correct you will receive 2 to 1 on your insurance bet. This has nothing to do with your original bet, you still have to beat the dealer's hand, if he has the ten the best you can do is tie with a blackjack of your own. After all players had a chance to accept or refuse insurance the dealer will check the down card. If it is a blackjack the dealer will collect losing bets immediately, if not, the player in turn may play their hands.