The Basics of Blackjack
Blackjack is a card game that is often played on a semicircular table. The most common tables accommodate five to seven players. Whenever you see an empty seat at a blackjack table, it’s usually for the taking (unless chips or a coat are holding the spot for a player who stepped away for a moment). If you join a game that is already in progress, be sure to read the rules posted at the table before playing. Some casinos prohibit “mid-shoe entry” (meaning that you can’t join a game before the dealer has shuffled).
Once all bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards to each player. The player then decides whether to hit or stand. If the player has a total of 21 on their first two cards, they win. If the dealer also has a 21, it’s a tie. Otherwise, the player’s bet is returned without adjustment.
Some blackjack games allow players to make side bets. The most popular is insurance, which pays when the dealer’s face-up card is a 10. Some tables offer additional side bets such as a player match bet that pays when the player’s cards form a poker hand with the dealer’s up-card.
Before the dealer turns over her second card, she will check to see if she has a ten underneath. If she does, the players who made insurance bets will receive a 1:1 payout. However, if the dealer doesn’t have a ten, she will take everyone’s original bet and the game continues.
Players can choose to split their pairs and double down. They can also surrender. If they have a blackjack, they can even get “even money,” which is the equivalent of a 3:2 payout for their hand. But even with this option, players should always think of their hands as valuable.
Unless they have a blackjack, the dealers’s hands must be matched in value. If they do not, the hand with the highest value wins. If a dealer has a blackjack, she will pay all players who did not have a blackjack and collect the bets of those who did.
While luck can play a role in blackjack, most winning hands are the result of sound strategic thinking. This is why a solid understanding of basic card values and how to use them to create a strategy is essential to becoming a successful blackjack player. These articles, which begin with the basics and move up to more advanced card counting techniques, provide expert, easy-to-follow tactics for making your hands count. Learn what cards are worth, how to maximize the value of your pair, and how to make smart decisions about when to double down or surrender. These smart tips will help you master the art of blackjack. In no time, you’ll be a pro at this favorite casino game. Enjoy!