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As one of the most popular casino games blackjack allows players to make a number decisions that can heavily influence the outcome of the hand. Unlike other casino games, a player’s actions in blackjack make a huge difference in the potential outcome, which is the reason why blackjack is one of the most strategic games in the casino.
How to Play Blackjack
In Blackjack each player and the dealer are given two cards –the player’s cards are both face-up while the dealer receives one card up and one card face-down. In Blackjack cards are worth points: Aces are worth either 1 point or 11 points, Face-Cards are worth 10 points, and cards 2-10 are worth their rank in points. The basic goal in blackjack is to reach 21, or as near to it as possible, without going over; but the real goal is to simply beat the dealer’s hand, and since the dealer has to follow a predetermined strategy this is where the strategy of blackjack becomes so important. A round of blackjack begins with each player making an initial wager before the hand is dealt, at which point each player and the dealer will receive their initial two cards. Depending on the dealer’s up-card, players will then make a determination of the value of their hand, at which point they can either: - Stand – Play the cards they were dealt
- Hit – Take an additional card (a player can hit as many times as they wish)
- Double – double their initial wager and receive one additional card
- Split – If a player’s cards are the same rank they are allowed to make two separate hands by placing an additional matching wager
- Surrender – The option to ‘give-up’ and reclaim ½ of your original wager
Each player acts before the dealer reveals his down-card, at which point the dealer will reveal his cards, and must adhere to the ‘House Rules’.
Dealer’s Rules
The dealer must follow certain predetermined guidelines on how they play their hand. Here is a look at the house rules governing the dealer’s hand: - The dealer must hit until his hand reaches 17 or higher –In some casinos Dealer’s must hit a “soft” 17, which is when the dealer’s tally of 17 includes an Ace being used as an 11 instead of a 1.
- The dealer cannot split, or use any of the other strategies available to the players.
Payouts
- • All active players who beat the dealer, or if the dealer busts, will receive a 1-to-1 payout (their bet is matched by the house).
- • A player with blackjack (an Ace and a Ten or face-card in their first two cards) receives a payout of 1.5-to-1 in most casinos.
- • If the dealer and player tie, the hand is a push, and the player neither wins or loses.
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