Fun fact: do you know that blackjack happens to be the most played casino table game in the U.S. casinos? Reportedly, blackjack has more players than roulette, crap, and baccarat combined.
The first and obvious reason as to why this game is so popular lies behind the fact that it’s relatively simple. Being a card game, it’s a game that is quite easy to learn, such that you can learn it in only a few minutes -literally!
Also not failing to mention that blackjack has a low house edge; which means that its odds are only slightly against you. Explore more blackjack options at pokerplayernewspaper.com.
Furthermore, you get to improve your odds once you learn the strategy behind the game. Let’s get started;
How Does Blackjack work?
When it comes to playing blackjack, it has one simple goal; aim at getting a hand of 21, or closest thereof, and to have a higher hand than the dealer. It’s a bust and you lose the game when you go beyond 21. The same rule applies to your dealer.
Whereas the goal of attaining 21 can be termed as fairly easy, there are also several additional rules you need to know about before you can play with real cash.
The Card Values Present in Blackjack
Supposing you’re already familiar with a typical card-deck, the cards are in variations. In blackjack, the Royal cards, (Jacks, Kings, and queens) are all valued 10. The Ace has an either value of 1 or 11, whereas, all the other cards remain at their face value.
It’s however important to note that the suits of the cards carry no significance in blackjack. This is applicable with the modern version of blackjack.
Options while Playing BlackJack
You’ve five options while playing blackjack, namely;
- Hit.
- Stand.
- Split.
- Double-down.
- Surrender.
If unfamiliar with the options, you can try playing free demos online where you can click the appropriate buttons to see how the options work. You can find demo options at nongamstopcasino.
When in a brick-and-mortar casino, you signal with your hands, or easier still, just say out loud what you want to do.
It’s also important to note that there exists variations of what you can do and can’t do with your hand; which slightly varies depending on your casino.
First Step: Joining a table
Being a typical casino table game, it goes without saying that you’re required to be at a blackjack table before you can start playing. Once ready at the table, you will be dealt with (along with the other players), with two cards face-up. For the dealer, they’re too dealt with two cards; but with one face-up, and the other face-down.
Second Step: Opt for a Hit or Stand
Based on the value of the cards on your hand, you can choose either option if you feel it will get you closer to a 21 without going bust.
Hit: you ask the dealer for another card based on the present value of your cards. Do this when you’re sure the next card won’t leave you bust.
Stand: Ask the dealer to move to the next player and not deal you any cards. This best applies when your card value is already high.
Third Step: Current Hand Value
Based on your last move i.e. whether you opted for a hit or stand, you will have a new card value. Provided your hand is valued at 21 or less, you will remain in the game.
Fourth Step: Card Reveal
Once all the players in the table have made all their decisions on whether to Hit or Stand, the dealer reveals their card by uncovering their facedown card.
Fifth Step: Who’s the Winner
Upon revealing their facedown card and the dealer’s hand happens to be 21, or closer compared to the other players, the dealer wins.
However, if your hand happens to be 21 or closer than the dealer’s, you emerge the winner.
Final Step: Winnings
If you were lucky and had busted the dealer, the dealer will issue you winnings. It’s crucial to note that the winnings also depend on the type of bet you had initially placed.
