Blackjack Rules

Blackjack is one of the most popular Casino games there is, its simple, addictive but more importantly if played correctly has the best odds of any casino game.

The object of the game is to beat the dealer by getting a higher total than them without going over 21. If you go over you are "Bust" and have lost the hand. You initially get dealt 2 cards face up and the dealer 2 cards, only 1 of which is visible. You then decide whether you want to "hit" (get another card) or "stand" (you don't want any more card as you think it will push you over 21) based on your cards and the card you can see of the dealer.

Cards values

Ace's can count as either 1 or 11, as demonstrated below.
The cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated.
The 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued at 10.
The suit of the card is not relevant.

The value of a hand is the sum of the points of each card in the hand. For example, a hand containing (Q, 9) has the value of 19. So you want to stand here. You could "hit" but if you got any card other than a 2 it would push you over 21 and you'll be bust, hence lose.

Ace's can be counted as either 1 or 11. You don't have to specify which value the Ace has. It's always the value that makes the best hand for you. So (A,7) can be worth either 8 or 18. If you hit and get a 9, the Ace would be counted as a 1, so 1+7+9, is 17. (as valuing it as 11 gives you 27 - over 21). But if you got dealt a 3 its better for you if the Ace is valued 11, so 11+7+3 = 21

The BlackJack

There is hand called Blackjack, when you get 21 straight away. Its when you have an ace and a 10 valued card. It beats any other hand even if the hand totals 21 if there is not made from 2 cards. Also it pays 3:2 to the player, so if you've bet $100, you get $250 back. It happens about once every 21 hands.

Dealer rules

Dealer must follow certain rules which are normally; "Dealer stands on all 17s": This is the most common. The dealer has to take cards ("hit") until his total is 17 or greater. If the dealer has an Ace this is always counted as 11 unless it pushes the dealer over 21. An alternative rules is "Dealer hits soft 17", avoid tables that have this if possible as it increases the house advantage.

Splitting Pairs

When you get a pair of the same values card (ignore the suit), you can split the hands into two seperate hands and play them both independantly of each other. For example if you are dealt (8,8) 16 is the worst value a player can have cause you probably won't beat the dealer and you're likely to bust if yuo hit. So you should split to make to seperate hands that are then both dealt another card. Your bet is then doubled. The rules vary at this point if you get another pair. Some allow you to split as many times as you can, others have a limit of 3 splits. If you get a pair of Aces these should definitely be split, but any resulting Blackjacks are not paid at 3:2, and if another pair of aces comes up these can not normally be resplit.

Doubling Down

At the begining when you first get your 2 cards of the hand, you can Double down. This allows you to double your bet, you then receive one, and only one, additional card. An example of when you'd want to double is when you hold a total of 11, say a (7,4) when the dealer's is showing a 6. You have a good chance of winning the hand with one additional card, so you may as well increase your wager in this situation.

You can raise the bet by less than doubling, but when it is the best move it should alway be done to the maximum (doubled). Check the strategy guide to find out when to do so, but when its the best play it should always be done.

Insurance and Even Money

If the dealer turns an up-card of an Ace, he will offer "Insurance" to the players. Insurance allows you to spend up to half of your initial bet to buy insurance which pays at 2:1 if the dealer has black jack. If he does you break even unless you have a blackjack also in which case your main bet is tied and you win the insurance. If he doesn't have blackjack and you beat him you win both. It may sound a good bet but its not, you're better in the long run to never take the insurance.

If any of this sounds complicated, don't worry you'll soon pick it up when you start playing, so your best bet is to dive straight in and play at an online casino on free play until you comfortable with the rules. The games only ever display valid moves you can make so you can't go far wrong, besides there's nobody to embarress yourself in front of. So pick a casino and go for it - I promise you'll enjoy it.