Casino Gaming Blackjack Strategy
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. Because you can play an Ace either way, a hand with an ace is called a soft hand. Going over 21 is called "Busting. Stand means no more cards (which the player signals by placing his cards under his wager or moving his hand in a horizontal direction. 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. Double Down - Your bet is doubled and you draw only one more card. If you have been dealt two cards and think that a third card may give you a chance to beat the dealer's hand, you can double down. INSURANCE - If the dealer's up card is an ace, the player may take insurance, a bet not exceeding one-half his original bet. Each card in Blackjack has a certain value. Any other card means a win for the dealer. 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. The insurance bet would be at the price of half your original bet. 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. If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push.