Blackjack Online Play
Blackjack is probably the most popular of all casino and online casino games primarily due to the fact that, when played correctly, the odds of winning are about even with the house. If you have a blackjack hand, you win 3:2 times your bet (example - a $5 bet will win $7.50), as long as the dealer does not have blackjack. Face cards (kings, queens and jacks) count as 10, ace counts as one or 11 (as the player chooses) and all other cards are counted at their face value. If you have the same card total as the dealer, from 17 and up, you get your bet back in a push as neither have won. HIT or STAND - Hit means to draw another card (which the player signifies by scraping the table with his cards or a similar hand motion) The dealer must draw cards until they have at least 17 and must stand at 17 or higher. If the player hits and busts (goes over 21), he immediately turns his cards over and his wager is lost. Some casinos refer to hitting as draw. SPLITTING PAIRS - If the first two cards a player is dealt are a pair, he may split them into two separate hands, bet the same amount on each and then play them separately. Once all bets are placed, each player and the dealer will receive two cards. Starting to the dealer's left side, the cards are dealt in a round one at a time to each player ending with the dealer receiving his second card face down. Depending on the game, the player's are either dealt their cards face up or face down. Any other card means a win for the dealer. Jacks, Queens and Kings always have a value of 10. Insurance is not recommended and is considered a separate game/bet of its own. When you think that the dealer has blackjack, it gives you a chance to guard your bet. Once all players have decided to "Stand," the dealer reveals the face down card known as the "Hole" card. The insurance bet would be at the price of half your original bet. If you have purchased insurance and the dealer doesn't have blackjack, you'll lose your insurance bet.