Due to its simplicity, blackjack is the favorite game of thousands of gamblers. The aim of this game is to get a hand with the value as close as possible to 21 and at the same time higher than the dealer’s.
The most important aspect of this game is that you have nothing to do with the other players, which is a great advantage for you. So, since you only compete against the dealer it doesn’t matter if the other players from your table see your cards.
All you need to learn about this game before playing it is the value of the cards. You can use the aces as 1 or as 11, depending on what you need at that moment, the 10, J, Q and K have the value of 10 and the other cards from 2 to 9 have their numerical value. The suits are not relevant in blackjack game. The value of your hand is obtained by adding the points that each card values, regardless their suit. After you place your bet, the dealer deals two cards face down to each player and turns one of his cards face up. In shoe games you are dealt your cards face up and you mustn’t touch them. In the regular hand held games, you may touch them with one hand only, so it might take a while until you get used to this. You have to leave the subsequently dealt cards on the table and not put them together with the cards you’re holding.
Also, the cards you’re keeping in your hand must be over the table. After each person finishes playing their hand, it’s time for the dealer to complete his and then act according to the game outcome. As far as the dealer’s play is concerned, he isn’t allowed to have many choices. In fact, he needs to respect one of the two following rules: he must either stand on 17s and take cards until the sum of his cards is 17 or higher, or he must hit soft 17.
Many casinos choose to impose this second rule because it increases the house advantage. However, the dealer is in no position to split pairs as we are, or to make any other choices. What he can do is either hit until the total value of his cards is at least 17, or go over 21. When the total of your first two cards is 21, you have a blackjack also known as a natural. This is important and more valuable than a regular 21 because it pays you odds of 3 to 2. Unlike the dealer, you are allowed to do more things. You may split pairs, hit, double down and surrender or fold before doing anything else if you think you have no chances of winning after you are dealt the first two cards. On the other hand, by doubling down you can double your bet and be dealt an extra card, if you think you have a promising hand.
All in all, knowing that you have more options than the dealer and that this is a real advantage, as the game results are fair, due to the random number generator, nothing should keep you from trying.
Good luck!
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