Game Blackjack Strategies
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. Because you can play an Ace either way, a hand with an ace is called a soft hand. The object of the game is to obtain a hand of cards totaling up to 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. 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) " You are playing only against the dealer. 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. INSURANCE - If the dealer's up card is an ace, the player may take insurance, a bet not exceeding one-half his original bet. 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. Jacks, Queens and Kings always have a value of 10. 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. Surrender is not offered at very many online casinos.