Also known as 21, Blackjack is relatively easy to play, with simple rules and exciting gameplay. For expert players, the odds are sometimes in their favor to win. But even for the average player, the casino odds are less, making Blackjack one of the most attractive casino games with free spins.
Basics of Blackjack
If you are playing Blackjack for the first time, there are some basic things that you must know. These are listed below.
Gameplay
In Blackjack, you play against the house or dealer. Your goal is to draw cards whose values are close to 21 without going over. If you have a value over 21, you “bust” and lose your bet.
Players at a table do not play against each other but the dealer. Each player must beat the dealer’s hand to win. Winning is possible if you have a card whose value is greater than that of the dealer or if the dealer busts.
Card Value
Blackjack cards do not affect the game; only their numerical values come into play. Cards two to ten are counted at face value, meaning a two of hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs equals two points. All face cards—the jack, queen, and king have a value of 10. The ace counts as either one or eleven.
During play, landing a queen and a five would equal 15, but an ace and a five would either be 6 or 16. A hand with an ace is a soft hand since the value can change. One without an ace is a hard hand since it has only one value.
Card Display
Blackjack is played with one, two, four, six, or eight card decks. The cards can be manually shuffled by the dealer or automatically by mixing machines. The dealer holds the cards and deals them out in one and two-deck games. In multi-deck games, the cards are dealt from a shoe. The cards are dealt facedown in the handheld variants, and gamers pick their cards. In the shoe variant, the cards are dealt face-up, and players are not allowed to touch them.
Getting a Blackjack
Blackjack is achieved when the dealer or player is dealt an ace and a 10-value card. If you get the Blackjack, you are paid 3:2 of your bet. It can only apply as long as the dealer doesn’t get a 21 at the same time. If both the dealer and the player get a 21, this is a push. In this case, the player’s bet is returned.
Insurance
If the dealers’ up card is an ace, they will offer you insurance. Insurance is a side bet that you make by betting half your original bet that the dealer has a 10 in the hole. If you wager and the dealer has a 10, you are paid 2:1. You then lose your initial bet but win the insurance bet. If you wager and the dealer has an ace, you are given the option of receiving even money instead of the 3:2 pay. If you turn down the even money, you get a push if the dealer has a blackjack.
Blackjack is one of the best casino games with a low house edge. If you play correctly, you are assured of huge wins.
