Choosing a Table
Before playing the game, you'll need to find an appropriate table at which to play. If you're a newcomer to this process, there are a few items to keep in mind. You'll want to pay attention to several details about each table that you approach. The most important item is the sign declaring betting limits. Both the minimum and the maximum allowable bets should be clearly posted on a sign on the table-top. Look around to find a table that suits your bet sizes. Often, you'll find that the lower limit ($3 or $5) tables are quite crowded. In most casinos, the signs are color-coded to match the minimum bets posted on them: Red for $5, Green for $25, and Black for $100 minimum tables. Next, you'll want to make sure that the table you have selected is actually for blackjack, and not another of the various table games offered at the casino. Blackjack tables will almost certainly have the phrase "Blackjack pays 3 to 2" printed on the table felt. (Warning: Not any more! Read about the evils of 6:5 blackjack). The next item to observe is the type of game being dealt. Beginners are usually better off playing the "shoe" games where 6 or 8 decks are used. The advantage for beginners in this game is that all of the player's cards are dealt face-up in front of each player, and the dealer can help with playing questions and decisions. Notice: Once you become proficient at the game, you might want to switch to a game with fewer decks. The casino's advantage is lower with fewer decks in play. But for now, let's stick with the multi-deck games for the ease-of-play advantage.
Playing blackjack
To win you need to beat the dealer without busting. You bust when your cards total to more than 21 and you lose automatically. The winner is whoever has closest to a total of 21. You reach 21 by adding up the values of the cards.
The blackjack table seats about 6 players. Either six or eight decks of cards are used and are shuffled together by the dealer and placed in a card dispensing box called 'Shoe'.
Before receiving any cards players must place a wager. Then the players are dealt two cards face up. The dealer gets one face up, one face down. Each player in turn either stays or takes more cards to try and get closer to 21 without busting. Players who do not bust wait for the dealer's turn. When all the players are done, the dealer turns up the down card. By rule, on counts of 17 or higher the dealer must stay; on counts of 16 or lower the dealer must draw.
If you make a total of 21 with the first two cards (a 10 or a face and an Ace), you win automatically. This is called 'Blackjack'. If you have Blackjack, you will win one and one-half times your bet unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case it is a Push or a Tie (or a Stand-off) and you get your bet back.
Blackjack is a card game where all the players are playing against the dealer, this game is also referred to as 21. To win you want to have a better hand than the dealer which means getting as close as possible to 21 without going over.The rules are simple.
The dealer gives out 2 cards to each person. The dealer also gets 2 cards the only difference is the players cards are face up the dealer has one card dealt face down. From here the betting and game as a whole begin. It doesn’t matter if you are playing in a casino or online blackjack the rules remain the same. Before the cards are dealt you will have to put in your ante and bet. Once the cards are dealt you then try to get your cards as close to 21 as possible. Card values are pretty standard. The Ace can count for 1 or 11, the rest of the face cards count as 10 and 2-10 retain there normal values. There are a few commands and options in Blackjack. If you need to add cards to your hand to try to get closer to 21 you need to take what’s called a hit. The dealer will give you an additional card and if all goes well you will be at or near 21. Now taking a hit also gives you the chance that you may bust, or go over 21.
If this happens you lose that hand and the dealer gets your money. To signal for a hit in a casino, when it’s your turn simply tap on the table. If you are playing blackjack online there will be a button labeled hit on your screen. Simply click on that to receive your card or cards. Once you have received the number of cards you would like you need to stand. Not literally. At this point you let the dealer know you are satisfied with your hand. In a casino you simply wave your hand over your cards. Online play all you do is click the stand button. Once all the players are done getting there cards the dealer shows their bottom card and if the player beats the dealer they win the hand and the dealer pays the player out the amount of their bet.
There are a few more complicated things you can do in blackjack to try to up your winnings. They follow the same inherent risk of the game except for the fact that you are going to lose more money if the dealer bests you. Whether playing blackjack online or in a casino you are allowed to double up on your bet after the cards are dealt by doubling down. Blackjack rules do very from place to place on this rule. Some places allow you to double down on any 2 card hand while others only let you do it if you have a 10 or 11. If you decide to double down you should know that the dealer will only give you one hit or card, so you are stuck with whatever happens from there. If you get doubles, like two 7′s are dealt in your hand, you have the option of doing a split. Each card at this point becomes a hand. The separate hands have identical bets and you play each like you would any other blackjack hand. As a note it is never a good plan to split 9′s or 10′s as an 18 or 20 has a very good chance of being a winning hand. If you are trying to save a few chips, or at least give yourself the chance to then insurance is something you need to pay attention to. If the dealers card showing is an ace then you will be given the option to protect your bet with insurance. This is a secondary bet and usually very nominal. If the dealer does get blackjack all you lose is the insurance and you get the amount of your original bet back. If the dealer does not have 21 than you simply lose the insurance cost and the game continues as normal. These are the simple blackjack rules. If you want to learn more you will have to pony up a couple dollars and play online or in a casino.