Casino Blackjack Tips
Before any cards are dealt, the player must wager. Let's take a look at the basic rules of play. 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. BLACKJACK - If the player's first two cards are an ace and a 10 or face card, he wins. One to either Five or Seven players at a table. A winning blackjack pays the player 3 to 2. 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) Hit - If you are not pleased with the total of your first two cards, you can draw additional card(s) until you stand or bust. DOUBLE DOWN - The player is allowed to double the bet on his first two cards and draw one additional card only to improve his hand. 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. 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. Split - If your first two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet of equal value and drawing cards as usual. Note that at some online casinos, you cannot split a split hand. An Ace can count as 1 or 11 depending on what is most beneficial to your hand. Player's add the value of their cards and either decide to "Stick" or "Stand" with their current cards or receive another card, called a "Hit" or "Draw," hopefully raising their total closer to 21 without going over. Once all players have decided to "Stand," the dealer reveals the face down card known as the "Hole" card. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance pays 2:1, matching the amount of your original bet. If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push.