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Blackjack Game Rules
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Picture Courtesy: Sun Vegas Casino
Playing blackjack at online casinos offers a very true-to-life feel. There are a number of game variations available, including the classic version (pictured above), and all of the standard betting options are right at your fingertips. |
Blackjack originates from France and is one the most popular
casino games in the world. The main objective is to get as
close to 21 without going over while still beating the dealer's
hand. This is done by counting up the value of the cards in
your hand. There is a six deck shoe in most online blackjack games. All
cards numbered 2 through 10 are at face value. All face cards
are valued at 10 while an ace is valued at either 1 or 11
at the player's discretion. Hands containing an ace valued
at 11 are considered to be 'soft' hands (i.e. A,
6 is a soft 17), while hands containing an ace valued at 1
are considered 'hard' hands (i.e. A, 6, Q is a hard
17). A blackjack hand is an ace and card valued at 10 (10,
J, Q, K). A two-card blackjack always beats three or more
cards, which equal 21. Before receiving any cards the player
must place a wager. Once the wager is made the player is dealt
2 cards face up. The dealer is also dealt two cards, one face
up and the other face down. The dealer's 'hole'
card remains face down until the players have completed their
hands. At this point the dealer turns over his hole card.
If his hand totals a hard 17 through 21 he must stand. If
his hand is 16 or under, the dealer must continue to take
cards until either his hand is over 16 or 'bust'
(which means going over 21). The dealer must hit on a soft 16.
Article Highlights:
Hit | Stand | Double Down | Splitting | Insurance | Payoffs
Blackjack players have several betting and playing options:
Hit
This deals the player another card. If your 2 cards total 10 or
less, you have nothing to lose by requesting another card since
your total could not exceed 21.
Stand
This means that the player is satisfied with his hand and does not
want to risk another card.
Double Down
A player, after being dealt his first two cards, is always given
the option to double the initial wager. Once you have chosen to
do this, slide a matching wager next to your original one (or click the 'Double' button if playing at an online casino) and you will be dealt
a third card and no more. Your hand will only consist of three cards.
Splitting
When you play online
blackjack, if you are dealt two cards with identical value you can then split
them (i.e. 8,8 or 10,Q). You would now be playing two separate hands,
each starting with one of the two split cards. You will now be dealt
a second card to one of the hands. After this hand is played out,
the second hand will be dealt a second card and continued until
that hand is played out. All regular rules apply to each hand with
the ability to double down. You may only split your hand once and
a new wager equal to the initial wager will be placed for each split
hand. A split hand blackjack pays out at 1:1 rather the normal 3:2.
Insurance
If the dealer's first card is an Ace, there is a possibility that
he may have a blackjack. The player can, if he believes the dealer's
hidden card is a 10, insure himself against blackjack. If you choose
to insure yourself you have to pay an amount of half of your stake.
If the dealer gets blackjack, the insurance will pay 2:1 which corresponds
to your original stake. If you have insured yourself and the dealer
does not get blackjack then you lose your insurance. Your ordinary
stake is settled by whatever the dealer gets. Therefore, insurance
is to be considered a game of its own within blackjack, and it gives
the player a chance to protect himself, when he thinks that the
dealer will get blackjack.
Payoffs
Players win their wager if their total hand is higher than the dealer's
without going over 21. If the player busts, then the dealer wins
the hand before turning over a card. All hands that total less than
the dealer's hand lose. Hands that are equal in value will be considered
a tie, or a 'push', and the player's original wager will
leave the table. If the player gets a blackjack the payout will
be at 3:2 rather than 1:1.
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