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Blackjack Rules

February 18, 2011

Blackjack is the most universally recognized casino game in the world. Also known as “21”, Blackjack has been around for centuries now, and is still the most popular casino table game from Las Vegas, Nevada to Macao, China.

Learning how to play blackjack online is easy. The betting systems and game play are fairly simplistic. Learning how to play Blackjack will be one of the easiest casino games you’ve ever attempted to figure out. The object is basic enough – the hand that is closer to 21, without going over (Busting), wins.

Blackjack is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. In casinos, it is common to find 2, 4, 6 or even 8 decks used in a single game of Blackjack. There is one dealer at the table. There can be as many players as there are place setting around the semi-circle table, usually 4 to 6 max. Each player is competing against the dealer only, not one another.

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What is a Blackjack ?

A Blackjack is the best hand in the game, achieved when the player (or dealer) is dealt a natural hand (first two cards only) that equals 21. This requires an Ace, and any card that values 10 (10, Jack, Queen or King).

When Blackjack was first introduced to American casinos, the game was not very popular. In order to attract more players, the casinos would offer a higher payout for getting a true blackjack, meaning an Ace and a “black” Jack. The name caught on, and has stuck ever since.

A blackjack normally pays 1.5:1, or 3:2. So if you bet $20 and hit a Blackjack, you would win $30 (plus your $20 back returned). When the dealer has Blackjack, all players automatically lose their original bet. The only exception is when the player and dealer both have Blackjack, in which case it’s a tie (Push), and the player’s bet is returned.

Blackjack Card Values

You can probably assume the value of each card in Blackjack, but we’ll cover this anyway just to avoid any confusion, especially with the Ace. Each card’s value is as follows:

2-10 = Face Value
Face Cards = 10
Ace – 1 or 11

If the hand totals 21 or less with the Ace counted as 11, it will be 11. If the hand equals more than 21 when an Ace is 11, the Ace drops to 1. For example, A(11)+5+7 = 23, which would Bust, but if you drop the Ace to 1, it becomes 13.

How to Play Blackjack

The game starts with every player placing a wager, within the table limits. Each player is then dealt two cards, both face down. The dealer’s cards are dealt one face-down, the next face up. The player will look at his cards, then make one of the following choices:

Hit: To take one more card.

Stand: To keep your current hand, taking no more cards.

Split: Should both cards be the same (i.e. 9+9, Q=Q, etc), the player may choose to Split them. Each card becomes the first card in a new Blackjack hand, resulting in two hands. The player must place an equal wager (same as the first) on the new hand. The first hand is played out (Hit, Stand, Split, etc.), then the second hand plays out.

Double: To take only one more card, requiring the player to double his original bet size. This is often done when the player is dealt 11, since 10s+face cards are the most common, increasing the chance of being dealt 21. A player may only Double on his first Hit, and may not Hit again afterwards.

Bust: If a players hand exceeds 21 at any time, he Busts. The hand and bet is instantly lost. The same goes for the dealer.

Other blackjack Bets

Insurance: Insurance is only optional when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace. The player can purchase Insurance in case the dealer has Blackjack. Insurance cost 50% of your original wager, and pays 2:1 if the dealer has Blackjack, but the original wager is lost (essentially, the player breaks even). If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the Insurance bet is lost and the hand continues.

Surrender: Some casinos will allow a player to Surrender before taking any cards. When a player Surrenders, half of his original bet is lost, and the other half returned. The hand is forfeited.

Blackjack Dealer’s Hand Development Rules

The blackjack dealer is forced to follow specific rules that govern hand development. This is how the house ensures a slight advantage over he player at all times. The rules are as follows:

If the dealers hand equals 16 or below, he must Hit.

If the dealer’s hand equal 17 or above, he must Stand.

Soft 17: In most casinos, if the dealer has Soft 17 (any sum of 17 that includes an Ace, counted as 11), he must Hit.

Written by Rob · Filed Under Casino Rules 

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