Blackjack is a game of chance, but it also involves skill. A good strategy, proper bankroll management, and consistent practice can help you increase your chances of winning at blackjack. The goal of blackjack is to beat the dealer. To do this, you must either draw a hand value of 21 or less than the dealer’s without going bust. If the dealer has a blackjack, you are paid one-and-a-half times your bet (not three to two as with other blackjack games).
Before the cards are dealt, players must place their bets in chips based on the table’s posted limits. Once all bets are in, the dealer deals two cards to each player face up. Each player may then choose to “hit” and receive additional cards or “stand” and keep their current hand. If a player has a hand total that exceeds 21, they win the game. If a player and the dealer have the same hand value, it is called a push and the wager is returned to the player.
The rules of blackjack vary from casino to casino and game to game, but the basic game remains the same. There are some key differences, however, that can significantly affect your odds of winning. These key differences include:
Insurance: An optional side bet that allows you to make a wager equal to half your original bet on the possibility that the dealer has a blackjack. Insurance pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has a blackjack and loses in all other instances.
Dealer’s Turn
After all the players have completed their hands, the dealer reveals their hole card and hits or stands according to predetermined rules. Using basic strategy (a mathematically optimal way to play based on the dealer’s up card and your own hand) can reduce the house edge to less than 1%.
Side Bets: There are a variety of side bets in blackjack, some of which require you to place a separate bet and others that are based on the outcome of your hand. The most popular of these side bets is insurance, which can be placed at the same time as your main bet. Other side bets include:
Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck. Suits do not count in blackjack, and all cards are worth their face value. Aces are worth 11 unless they would make a point total in excess of 21, in which case they are counted as 1. The dealer must hit until their cards reach 17 or more, or they bust and lose the game. In addition, the dealer must remain standing if they have an ace as their up card. Otherwise, they must hit until they have a point total of 16 or more.