Gambling Strategy Guide

Blackjack Strategy Guide

Blackjack, also known as “21” or “Blackjack 21” is a fun, exciting and relatively easy to play card game enjoyed at casinos around the world as well as online at casino gambling websites. The object of Blackjack is to gather enough cards in your hand to beat the hand of the dealer without exceeding the number 21. Although the rules of blackjack may differ, depending on where you play, the general idea of the game is typically universal.

As we mentioned before, the object of blackjack is to get a total value of cards as close to 21 as possible without going over and beating the dealer's total card value. Numbered cards are worth their face value while kings, queens and jacks are each worth 10. Aces are worth either 1 or 11; whichever is best suits your hand. There are only a few win/loss variables in blackjack and they are as follows:

-                          If the total value of the cards in your hand exceeds 21, you "bust” and lose the hand.

-                          If your total is less than or equal to 21 and the dealer's total is over 21, then the dealer busts and you win.

-                          If neither your total nor the dealer's total exceeds 21, then the higher total wins.

-                          In the event of a tie, also called a “push,” no one wins and no one loses.

The game begins by placing your wager. Once the wager has been placed, the dealer deals two cards to you and one to him, usually face up. The dealer then gives himself a second card; known as the “hole” card, face down.

At this point you, as the player, must make a decision. Based on all of the visible cards you have to determine if you would like to take another card or a “hit” to add to your value or “stand” keeping your current value and passing your turn to the dealer. If you “hit” you will be given the option again and again until you decide to hole the value accumulated in your hand or until you “bust.” When the dealer’s turn comes up, he must keep taking cards until he reaches a total value of 17 or more.

Here are a few other basic blackjack rules you'll need to know:

-                          If the first two cards dealt to you or the dealer are an Ace and a face card, blackjack has been achieved. If you have blackjack, you win automatically, unless the dealer also has blackjack, in which case it is a push.

-                          Blackjack always pays higher than an ordinary win, which always pays even money. Blackjack pays 3 dollars for every 2 you bet.

-                          After you receive your first two cards, you may have the option to "double down” or double your original bet. Most casinos only allow you to double down when the value of the first two cards is 9, 10 or 11. If you double down, the dealer will give you only one more card and then draw the cards needed to complete his own hand.

-                          When your first two cards have the same value (for example, a pair of sevens), you have the option to "split". To split, you have to place another bet equal to your original bet. The two cards are split at this point and you play them as separate hands.

-                          When the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, some casinos will offer "insurance.” The cost of insurance is half your original bet. Your insurance bet pays 2 to 1 if the dealer gets blackjack, which will equal the amount you lose on the original bet.

-                          Casinos can deal blackjack from a single deck or from multiple decks.

Of course, like any other table game, blackjack rules may differ depending on which casino you play at or which gambling site you use. Some variations may include:

-           Dealer stands on soft 17

-           Player may double down on any first two cards.

-           Player may double down on any number of cards.

-           Player may double down on split pairs.

-           Player may "surrender" his hand after the first two cards and lose half his bet.

Blackjack is not merely a game of chance; instead it requires mental skill, which can determine the outcome of the game, often in favor of the player. In other words, it is possible, using just a few handy tips and techniques, to be successful playing blackjack:

-           Always split pairs of Aces and 8s.

-           Never split pairs of 10-value cards: 10s, Jacks, Queens or Kings.

-           Never buy insurance.

            -           Always stand on 17 or more.

            -           Always hit on 11 or less.

Blackjack can be fun and exciting, as long as you play wisely. Use the basic strategies and adhere to the rules we have outlined above and you are sure to have a blast!