How To Play Blackjack
By Ann MacDonald Blackjack is a game of chance played with a
traditional deck of cards. Blackjack is a form of gambling, and is
generally played for money. So, how do you play?
The ultimate goal of the game is to have a hand that totals 21 points,
or as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. In the game of
blackjack, each card is worth points equal to its face value number; the
Jack, Queen and King are each worth ten points. An Ace can be counted as
either eleven points or one, whichever is most to the advantage of the
hand.
In blackjack, each player competes against the
house, comparing his cards to those of the dealer. Other players' hands
are irrelevant to your wins or losses in blackjack; only your own hand
and that of the dealer affect the outcome. A player with a hand that is
higher than that of the dealer, without exceeding 21 wins the hand. If
the dealer's hand exceeds 21, any players remaining in the game win.
- Start playing by placing a bet. Casino
blackjack games have a minimum bet, which is the lowest amount a
player is allowed to bet in order to play the game.
- Once bets are placed, the dealer gives each
player at the table two cards. The dealer also receives two cards,
but one of them is dealt face down. This card is only revealed once
everyone at the table has played their hands.
- Each blackjack player is given the opportunity
to hit, taking additional cards one at a time, or to stay or stand,
which means to take no additional cards. You must factor in the
statistical likelihood of getting a card that will improve your
hand, versus the chance the card will bust the hand, making it
exceed 21. Once a hand busts, a player is out of the game, losing
the initial bet.
- You should also factor in whether the dealer
is likely to bust; since the dealer is generally required to hit a
hand of sixteen or below, a player with an iffy hand should choose
to stand. Since you cannot see one of the dealer's cards, you must
make your decisions based on the visible card in the dealer's hand.
Since a ten is the most common point value in the deck, assume that
the hidden card is a ten. So, if you have a 16 and the dealer has a
6 showing (which you assume to be 16), you should stand and hope the
dealer busts. However, if you have a 16 and the dealer has a ten
showing (probably a 20 hand), you should hit since you probably have
a "losing" hand.
- A winning hand is paid an amount equal to the
initial bet, allowing the player to double his or her money. The
exception is when a player is dealt a blackjack. A blackjack is an
Ace and any ten on the initial deal and this hand is paid at one and
a half times the player's bet.
Blackjack tips:
- Most casinos offer lessons, or you can play
for free online to practice before you wager any real money.
- To learn which hands you should hit and when
to stand, purchase a card in the casino gift shop. Most casinos will
even let you keep it on the table when you play.
- Finally, make sure you never gamble more money
than you can comfortably afford to lose.
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