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Blackjack
actually refers to a specific holding (two cards totalling 21).
However, this is also the most common term for the game - also known
as 21.
You are playing against the dealer at all times. Many people feel
that you must play differently depending on where you sit at the
table. This is not true. Players sit in a semi-circle around the
dealer, but no matter where you sit, you are still playing against
the dealer. You owe nothing to the other players - it is your own
money you are risking.
In Blackjack, the suits of the cards have no significance. Tens,
jacks, queens, and kings all count 10. An ace counts 1 or 10 at
the player's option. Cards from 2 to 9 have their face value. Therefore,
if you hold a nine and a five, you have 14. A nine and an ace can
be either 10 or 20.
The simple idea of the game is to get closer to 21 without going
over than the dealer does. You are dealt two cards and the dealer
is dealt two cards also - one always face up, and one face down.
You are then given the option of standing with the cards you have
("stick" or "sticking") or you may be "hit" and be given another
card ("hitting"). You may take as many cards as you wish to, but
should you go over 21, you "bust" and the dealer wins automatically.
The dealer will not take any cards until all players are through
at taking cards. Thus the dealer's biggest advantage is here. Any
players that bust, lose their bet - even if the dealer goes bust.
If you stay at 21 or under and have a higher total than the dealer,
you win; if both you and the dealer hold cards equalling the same
total, it is a "push" and you stay even (not winning or losing).
If the dealer has a higher total without busting, he wins.
The pay off if you win is even money (one to one). If you get a
"21" or "Blackjack" (21 in two cards) you are paid at a rate of
3 to 2 (bet $10 win $15). If the dealer gets blackjack at the same
time, you push - all other players lose.
You may take "Insurance" when the dealer's first card is an ace.
After all players and the dealer have two cards, he will ask "Insurance?".
You may bet another 1/2 of your original bet. Payment is 2 to 1
if the dealer does get blackjack.
At this point, after each player and the dealer has 2 cards, he
will start at the immediate right and see if the player wants a
card (a "hit"). If yes, the player scratches the table with his
fingers or cards towards himself. If not, he places his cards under
his bet or makes a negative movement with his hand. Dealers respond
to hand gestures only. If you go over 21 "bust" you turn your cards
over (face up) and the dealer takes the cards and your bet. If you
stay at 21 or under, the dealer will continue to the next player.
As we mentioned, an ace can be counted as a 1 or 11. When you have
say an 8 and a 10, you have a "hard" hand. However, an 8 and an
ace gives you a "soft" hand. Because you have a soft 19 or a hard
9 if you count the ace as a one.
The dealer on the other hand does not get these options. When all
players are through, the dealer turns face up his hole card. He
must take a card if he has 16 or less. He must stand (in most casinos)
on a hard or soft 17.
Most players try and guess what the dealer has and look at the other
cards on the table before deciding to hit or stand. Most players
also never win at Blackjack.
At this point, you should understand how the game is played. The
following is your best strategy as determined by computer testing:
Always hit when you have 11 or less.
Always stand with a hard 17 or more.
On a hard hand: When the dealer's up card is from 7 to Ace, draw
if you have 12 to 16. When the dealer's card is 2 to 6, stand on
12 to 16 except if the dealer's card is a 2 or 3, in which case
you would draw.
On a soft hand do the following: Always draw to a soft 12. Stand
on 18 except when the dealer has a 9 or 10 value card. Stand on
19.
In most casinos, you may double down (double your bet) after your
first two cards.
On a hard hand: Always double with 11, with 10 except if the dealer
has a 10 or ace, with 9 against the dealer's 2 to 6 up card.
On a soft hand: With ace 2 to ace 7 double against dealer's 4, 5,
or 6. Also with ace 6 against 2 or 3 and ace 7 against 3.
Another play is the splitting of pairs. If your first two cards
of the deal are the same value, you may place a bet the same as
your original, and play two hands.
Always split ace-ace, and 8-8. Never split 10-10, 5-5, or 4-4. Split
other pairs only when the dealer's card is 2 to 6. These rules may
seem complicated and difficult. However, after playing at home,
this basic strategy will require no concentration.
After you have become comfortable with the basic strategy, you may
be able to shift the odds in your favor. Although counting card
is illegal in some places, simple methods of advanced strategy can
be easily employed.
When a number (greater than average) of 10's have been used, more
5 average cards are present and this is an advantage to the dealer.
If more 5 value cards have been used, the advantage is in your favor
(a slightly larger bet may be in order). Here is a way fo counting
high + low cards: Whenever a 2 or 6 appears, count +1. Cards 7,
8, 9 count 0. Count -1 for 10's and aces. In this manner, there
are 5 low cards (+1) and 5 high (-1) cards. If at any time the number
obtained is say +5 or more, it is to your advantage to raise your
bet. If very few low cards are left, it may even make sense to stand
on 15 or 16 against dealer's high card.
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