Blackjack Tips Casino Gambling
Before any cards are dealt, the player must wager. If the total value of your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand, you win an equal amount to what you have bet. 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. Because you can play an Ace either way, a hand with an ace is called a soft hand. If the total of your hand is over 21, you'll bust and lose your bet. 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) Stand means no more cards (which the player signals by placing his cards under his wager or moving his hand in a horizontal direction. Some casinos refer to hitting as draw. Tables and online casinos will have a minimum bet required to play the game. Double Down - Your bet is doubled and you draw only one more card. Depending on the game, the player's are either dealt their cards face up or face down. If the dealer's down card is a 10 or any face card, the player wins 2 to 1. Card between 2 and 10 simply have their face value regardless of suit. SURRENDER - Where permitted, a player may give up his first two cards and lose only one-half his original bet. An Ace can count as 1 or 11 depending on what is most beneficial to your hand. When you think that the dealer has blackjack, it gives you a chance to guard your bet. If the dealer's first card is an ace and if you think that the dealer's hole card is of value 10, you can buy insurance against dealer blackjack. If the dealer's hand is between 17 and 21, he or she may not draw any additional card. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance pays 2:1, matching the amount of your original bet. If you have purchased insurance and the dealer doesn't have blackjack, you'll lose your insurance bet.