Online Blackjack
In Blackjack, the player (you) plays against the dealer (the house), independently of other players. Your goal is to draw cards ("hit") until your hand adds up to 21, or comes as close as possible without exceeding 21. If your first two cards total 21, you have Blackjack.
Rules: Once a player (you) has bet, both the player and the dealer are dealt two cards each. The player's cards are dealt face up. The dealer's first card is dealt face down. The Ace can be used as a 1 or 11 points. Any card combined with an Ace, other than a card that has a value of 10, is considered a "soft hand". Meaning that if the player has 4 and an Ace, it would be considered 5 or soft 15. The King, Queen, Jack and Ten are 10 points each; all other cards, are worth their face values. If the players first two cards total 21, then it's a natural Blackjack. Blackjack is the highest hand. If you are dealt any two cards other than a Blackjack, you may "stand" (refuse any further cards), or "hit" (accept another card). A player who stands will not receive additional cards. Cards are dealt until the player stands or "busts" (exceeds 21). When you bust, you immediately lose your bet regardless of the dealer's hand result. After the player's final actions, the dealer reveals the down card. If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, the dealer must continue to "hit" until reaching 17 or more. The dealer must stand on soft 17 and cannot take additional cards. If the dealer exceeds 21 ("bust"), and the player has stood without busting, the player wins. When the dealer stands on 17 or greater and has a higher count than the player - the dealer wins; if the player has the higher count - the player wins. If the player and the dealer have the same totals, it's a "push" (tie).
The game
As the game starts you are dealt two cards faced up. The dealer only gets one card which faces up - the up card
Unless you start out with a blackjack and win the game you now have some or all of the following options (depending on the rules of the casino in question):
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HIT
The dealer gives you one more card.
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STAND
You want no more cards. Dealers turn.
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DOUBLE
You double your bet and get one more card.
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SPLIT
You split the two cards into two individual games.
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SURRENDER
In seldom cases you are allowed to surrender if you have a bad hand. This will cost you half your bet.
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INSURANCE
Forget about it. it's a waste of money.
The dealer must always follow strict rules when playing; The dealer must draw up to 16 and stand on all 17s which means the following:
EXAMPLE
- If you have a hand with the sum of 12 and choose to stand and the dealer then reaches 16 and theoretically wins the game, he must still draw one more time without busting to win the game.
- If you stand on 18 and the dealer then draws to 17 he is not allowed to draw again even though he still theoretically could win the game.
This is why the secrecy of your hand is irrelevant and you play with open cards.
The strategy
It doesn't matter if you just started playing black jack or if you have been playing it for years. It is always wise to refer to so called black jack charts to increase your chances of winning. Those charts tell you which decision to make for every possible hand. Every strategy chart contains three separate charts. One for a Hard Total, one for a Soft Total and one for a Split.
The following charts will tell you exactly what to do when you are playing. Use the charts and match the hand you are currently holding. There are many different charts available but those three are the most common.
Hard Total Chart
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double
Soft Hand Total
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double
Split Total
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double, SP=Split
It is recommended you always use those charts unless you know them by heart or you are a card counting master.
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