Casino Gaming Online Blackjack
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 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. Aces have a value of either 1 or 11, face cards as 10 and the cards that are left are valued as their face numbers. Because you can play an Ace either way, a hand with an ace is called a soft hand. if the dealer has a blackjack, it is a standoff, as are all ties or pushes. 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. 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. 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. 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. If the dealer's down card is a 10 or any face card, the player wins 2 to 1. When you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, this is not blackjack, it's 21. Note that at some online casinos, you cannot split a split hand. The dealer must draw on 16 and stand on 17. 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. 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 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.