Blackjack is a popular game of skill. Its popularity has widened its variety, though it still has the same rules that all players must be familiar with in order to thoroughly enjoy and succeed at the game. Players always have to know firsthand that the main objective of Blackjack is to obtain a hand less than or equal to twenty-one which beats the dealer’s hand. However, before anything else, players also have to be familiar with the usual Blackjack setting, which generally requires knowing the table layout.
The Table Layout
The Blackjack table usually has a semi-circular shape. It’s able to cater seven player positions or less, alongside a specific dealer position. The dealer has to have the chip stack in front of him, and the shoe at his left. Each of the players get an area for themselves where the dealer places their cards. A small crescent strip found above the player’s positions, labeled as “Insurance Pays 2 to 1.” This is where all player insurance bets are placed.
Card Values
It is also essential to know the card values of the Blackjack game. Players have to be familiarized with cards primarily since these are their main instruments in gaining advantage and winning. Cards with values of 2 to 9 have 2 to 9 points respectively. Cards which are 10-K are worth 10 points each. Aces are worth more at 11 points, but except only when a hand is greater than or equal to 11, in which case the ace is now equal to one.
And while the layout and card values are settled, players have to move beyond the technicalities and immerse themselves with the basic rules of Blackjack.
The Must-follows of Blackjack
Each player must place a bet. Each player must be dealt with two cards face-up. The dealer is dealt with two cards as well, but with one face-up and the other face-down. Any player possessing an Ace and a card worth 10 points automatically wins 1.5 times higher than his/her bet. In the case of the dealer’s up-card being an Ace, the rest of the players may take insurance. The dealer then has to check his down-card. If the down-card is worth ten points, the dealer wins. If not, the round goes on without the dealer revealing the down-card’s worth to the players. The players, all who take turns starting from the dealer’s left, have the choice to hit, stand, double down or split all basing on the cards they hold and on the house rules.
It’s important for players to know that the ones who go over a total of 21 automatically lose their bet. If this happens to the dealer, he loses and the rest of the players who didn’t go over it win. If the dealer doesn’t have anything over 21, all players who have hands above the dealer’s card and less than or equal to 21 wins. If the dealer’s hand is higher than that of the player’s, the player loses. If the dealer’s hand is a tie with the player’s, the player neither wins nor loses. After which the dealer must gather up all the cards, starting a new round.
Sound fun? Start familiarizing yourself with these so you can enjoy Blackjack!
