
Sign Up Bonus Blackjack Strategies Before any cards are dealt, the player must wager. He does this by placing his bet in the designated space in front of his table position. 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 dealer has a blackjack, it is a standoff, as are all ties or pushes. 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. 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. 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. Aces receive only one additional card. After splitting, A-10 counts as 21 and not as blackjack. Each card in Blackjack has a certain value. 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 and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push. Surrender is not offered at very many online casinos.  |