Blackjack Rules
Object of the Game
In blackjack players try to get a card hand with a total point score closer to 21 than total point score the dealer gets, without busting (going over 21). Two important items to remember: 1) Play to get a better hand than the dealer will get, forget about trying to get as close to 21 as possible, when you feel that your hand will not get any better stand. 2) Blackjack is not a group game, although there are several players at the table each player is playing alone against the dealer.
Playing Blackjack
Play starts when the dealer deals a single card to each player and then one to him/herself. Then a second card is dealt to each player, however this time the dealer card is dealt face down.
After each player has an initial two cards the dealer starts to play one to one starting with the player on the dealer's left. Players have two options 1) they can draw single cards one at a time until they bust or 2) or they can stand keeping the cards they already have.
Once all the players have finished (by busting or standing) the dealer plays his/her hand. Dealers play using casino rules that are posted for all to see. The casino rules usually require the dealer to draw a card when the hand has a value less than 16 and stand if the hand has a value greater than 17.
When the dealer has finished with his/her hand they collect from any player with a hand of lesser value and pay out to any player with a hand of greater value. Dealer and player ties are neither collected or paid out.
Blackjack Rules
To combat cheating and to speed up the game casinos use 6 to 8 decks of cards in the deck, cards are dealt face up and players don't touch the cards or the original bets on the table.
There are a few options available to players once all the players have the initial two cards:
Surrendering - Some casinos allow a player to look at his/her first two cards and if they decide they can't make a winning hand they can declare "surrender". Once surrender is declared the dealer stops playing with the player he/she collects the cards and claims half of the original wager. Some casinos insist you surrender before dealing the first hand starts.
Doubling down - Players who think that they can obtain a winning hand using the initial two cards and one more card can double the original bet and draw one final card. Some casinos allow doubling down with any hand while some only allow doubling down when a hand totals 9, 10 or 11.
Splitting pairs - When a players first two cards are of equal value he/she can split them and play each card separately. When you split two aces a few rules change. 1) You are usually allowed to play only one card on each of the aces. 2) If the second card has a value of ten the hand is not considered a blackjack. The total of the hand is 21 and will beat any dealer hand that totals 21 with the exception of a dealer blackjack. 3) A two card winning hands of 21 only pay even money.
Blackjack Betting
The players must place their bets before dealing starts. Winning hands pay even money while blackjacks pay 3 to 2 ($3 is paid out on a $2 bet).
One side bet is available in Blackjack the Insurance bet. This side bet is made available when the dealers face up card is an ace. An insurance bet wins if the face down card value is ten and the dealer has blackjack. Insurance bets pay 2 to 1. This insurance bet has no impact on the original bet, it stays in effect. Because winning insurance bets result in the dealer having a blackjack the very best a player can achieve on his/her initial bet is a tie if he/she has a blackjack.
