Blackjack Rules
Blackjack Rules
You can begin playing blackjack, which is one of the easiest casino card games to learn and play, if you can count to 21 and master some few simple rules. To reach a higher card count than the dealer without exceeding a total card count of 21 is always the objective of blackjack. The only opponent is the dealer, regardless of the number of players at the table. In other words, other players at the table are of no concern. Although there are many different versions of blackjack, the rules have slightly differed from each other.
Player Rules
Each player will place a bet for the next hand. Usually, the dealer deals the cards from dealer left to dealer right, with everyone receiving two cards. Players may receive two cards face up. Also, the dealer may receive one card face up and one card face own, which is often called a hole card. When playing, it should be remembered that you are not allowed to touch your cards if they are both dealt face up. The play starts with the player to the dealer’s left. Each player has the ability to decide whether to accept more cards or whether to refuse more cards. Hit is termed to accept cards, while stand is termed to refuse more cards. Players continue to request cards until they decide to stand. If after accepting more cards, their total reaches more than 21, then they are out the round or are bust, as it is commonly termed..
Dealer Rules
The dealer takes a turn after each player completes his turn. Take note that the dealer plays more restrictive rules than the players. The dealer is advised to stand or refuse to take another card if the dealer’s hand is 17 or more. On the other hand, the dealer must hit or take another card if the dealer’s hand is 16 or less.
Who Wins?
You only need to compare your hand against the dealer’s hand and there is no need to keep track of your hand against the other player’s hand since you play only against the dealer. You win if your hand comes closest to 21 without exceeding 21. You also win if the dealer busts, regardless of the value of your hand and as long as you don’t bust. The house automatically wins if you bust, even if the dealer subsequently busts. However, if both player and the dealer have the same point value, neither the player nor the dealer wins the hand. This game is called a push. The dealer may loose to some players but may beat other players since each player has an independent game with the dealer.
Card Values
Before playing blackjack, you must always understand how cards are valued. The cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated. The 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued at 10. An Ace can count as either 1 or 11. Of course, the suits of the cards do not have any meaning in the game. And the value of a hand is simply the sum of the point counts of each card in the hand. If you have a hand containing 5, 7 and 9, your total hand value is 21. Suppose you have a hand of Ace, 6 and 3, then you have a hand of 20, counting the Ace as 11. However, if you have a hand of an Ace, 6, and 8, then your total hand value is 15. Notice that now the Ace must be counted as only 1 to avoid going over 21.