Blackjack: Description, Rules and Strategies.

Description

The table in Blackjack takes the form of a semi-circle, with the croupier standing behind the table and acting on behalf of the house. The croupier deals the cards in the shape of a hoof, with the places where the cards are to be dealt, demarcated for ease of play. The hoof usually allows for six or eight card games. The croupier shuffles the cards and places them in the relevant spaces around the hoof. He then asks the player to cut the deck, usually using a special "cutting card"; it is just slipped into the deck wherever the player chooses (although this technique is usually restricted to actual not virtual casinos). The players are seated in a semi circle on the other side of the table where there are spaces demarcated for up to seven players. On the table there are inscriptions which outline some basic rules; Blackjack pays 3 to 2 & Insurance pays 2 to 1

Rules of Blackjack

The aim of Blackjack is to achieve, or get as close as possible, to the sum of 21 by calculating the sum of the cards dealt to you by the croupier. All players play against the house, rather than each other. The players must place their bets at the centre of the table. The croupier then deals each player two cards face up and visible to everyone, and for himself he deals two cards one face-up and one face-down or hidden. The object of the game is to ask the croupier for cards, this is called the hit until the player has in his hands cards which add up closest to the sum 21, without over shooting it. If the first cards dealt already add up to 21 the player has what is known as a Blackjack and is an automatic winner. If the croupier deals himself a hand that is closer to 21 than that of the player, without overshooting 21, the house wins. If the player is dealt more than two cards and manages to achieve 21, this is not a Blackjack but simply a 21. The hidden/facedown card belonging to the croupier stays that way until all players have played their hand. Once the players are through, the croupier turns over the card to reveal its value. If the totals of the player and the croupier are equal, no one wins, and the stake is returned to the player. If however the croupier overshoots 21, all the players at the table win, unless they have busted.

Face cards, the Queen, Kings and Jacks all have a value of 10 points. The Ace has a value of either 1 or 11, depending on which is more favourable to the player who holds it, the other cards have the values attributed to them, e.g. a 2 is worth 2, 3 is worth 3 and so on. A Blackjack is always achieved with an Ace and a Face Card or a 10.

If the croupier's hand is equal to or less than 16, he is obligated to take another card, if his hand is equal to or greater than 17 he is obligated to stand, meaning he cannot ask for another card. In cases when the player achieves a Blackjack, where the first cards dealt are an ace and a ten-value card, the standard rule is to award the player with a 150% return on his wager (or 2:3). For example, for a wager of $10,000 the player will win $15,000. If the player thinks it is possible that the croupier has a Blackjack, i.e. the card showing is either a 10-value card or an Ace, then the player can take insurance, before the value of the hidden card is revealed. If the dealer has Blackjackand the player does not, the insurance is lost but the player still has a chance of winning on points.

It is important to bear in mind that different casinos can apply slightly different rules, strategies and odds- you should understand the house variation prior to playing.

A Short Glossary of Blackjack Terms.

The Split= if the first cards dealt to the player by the croupier are of equal value, the player can split the cards into two different hands and therefore start two rounds at the same value- especially good with Aces. In other cases make your choice dependent on the other players and the croupier's visible cards.

The Double= if you have already hit for two cards and you believe the next card will beat the house, you can double. Your wager is then doubled and you will receive only one more card.

Insurance=this gives you the opportunity to protect your bet if you believe the croupier has a Blackjack, you can buy insurance at half the value of you original wager. If the croupier does have a Blackjack you receive half your original wager back. If not you lose the insurance but you still have a chance of winning on the value of the original wager.