If you've spent any time in a casino, or even around somebody who gambles, chances are you've heard of blackjack. It's one of the most popular casino games, and their exist a few reasons why. It's easy, it's fun to play, and it offers favorable odds to the player when compared to other casino games.

Many people will tell you straight off that the object of blackjack is to get 21. This is not true and leads to a great deal of stupid mistakes that can be easily avoided by understanding that the object of blackjack is to BEAT THE DEALER. 21 is the highest you can go, and if you go over you "bust" (more on this later...)

There are two ways to beat the dealer. The first is to have a total hand value of less than 21 when the dealer has a total hand value of over 21. In this case, the dealer loses because he went over the allowable total, or "busted." The second way to win is to have a total hand count that exceeds the dealer's total (while not going over 21...) The dealer wins more often in blackjack because players have to go first, thus exposing themselves to a greater risk of busting.

In blackjack, card values are very easy to remember. All of the face cards count their value (ie a nine of hearts is worth nine), picture cards are all worth 10, and aces are worth either one or eleven (player's choice...)

Briefly, game play is as follows:

a. All players bet prior to the deal

b. All Players and the dealer receive two cards. In most Casinos, one of the dealers cards will be face up and one will be face down (this is called the 'hole' card). The players cards are dealt face up, face down, or one up and one down, depending upon the rules at that particular table or casino (usually the more decks are used, the more likely it is that the cards will be dealt face up).

c. the player has several options at this point which include:

Hit
This means you want the dealer to give you another card. In most games you'll play (shoe games) indicate to the dealer that you want a hit by making a beckoning motion with your finger or tapping the table behind your cards with your finger. In hand held games, scratch the edges of the cards in your hand lightly on the felt.

Stand
This means you are satisfied with the total of the hand and don't want additional cards. In shoe games, indicate that you want to stand by waving your hand over the cards. In hand held games, tuck your cards under the chips that you have in the betting box.

Double down
This playing option allows you to double your bet in return for receiving one and only one draw card. In most casinos you can only double down after you receive your first two cards and before drawing another card. To signal the dealer that you want to double down just place your chip next to the original chip bet on the hand and the dealer will give you a final card perpendicular to your other cards (shoe games) or toss your cards on the table face-up in hand held games and then make the secondary bet.

Split
If you have a pair, you can split. When you split you must make another bet equal to your original bet (just place your chip next to the original chip bet on the hand). By pair splitting you play each card as a separate hand and you can draw as many cards as you like to each hand (except split aces-most casinos will only allow one draw card to each ace). For example if you were dealt a pair of 8's (16) and split, you would have two separate hands containing an 8. You would be required to play out one of the split hands first before the other. In shoe games you indicate that you want to split by placing another chip next to the original chip. For hand held games toss your cards on the table and then make the secondary wager. Most casinos will also allow players to split all 10 value cards such as a jack and ten or queen and king, but this is an option you don't normally want to take (see Counter's Corner for more advanced tactics).

Insurance
When the dealer's upcard is an ace, the dealer will ask players if they want to make the insurance wager. It is a side bet in which players are betting that the dealer's hole card will be a ten-value card. Players can make an insurance bet equal to one half of the initial bet made on the hand. To make the insurance bet you simply place your chips on the insurance line, which is located right above the player betting box. You win your insurance bet if the dealer has a ten-value card in the hole. A winning insurance bet pays off at 2 to 1 odds, however it is generally regarded as a "suckers bet" by blackjack pros as the odds of winning are much lower than they appear. As well, contrary to the name, Insurance does not actually insure your other hand; you will still win or lose your bet regardless of the success or failure of the insurance bet. Insurance is actually a side-bet with poor odds.

Surrender
This playing option is not always permitted. It allows a player to forfeit the hand with an automatic loss of half the original bet. Player's can surrender their initial two card hand only after the dealer has checked his cards for a blackjack. Once a player draws a card the surrender option is no longer available. If the dealer has a blackjack hand, then surrender is not available. When a player surrenders (to do so tell the dealer "surrender") the dealer will remove the player's card from the table and place one half of the players bet in the chip rack. The player is no longer involved in that round. The above rule is known as late surrender. In some casinos players can surrender before the dealer checks his cards for a blackjack. This form of surrender is much more player favorable than late surrender but it is rarely offered; so when early surrender is offered, make sure to take advantage of it!

Even Money
When the player has a blackjack hand and the dealer has an ace showing the dealer will ask the player if he wants "even money". Even money means the dealer will automatically give you a 1 to 1 (or even money) payoff on your bet before he checks his downcard for a potential blackjack. Taking even money yields the same result as making an insurance bet on your blackjack hand.

Unlike players, the dealer in blackjack has no playing option. Casino rules specify that a dealer must draw when the dealer's hand totals less than 17 and stand when the total is 17 to 21. In some casinos, dealer's must stand on soft 17 and in others they must hit (it's better for the player if the rules specify the dealer must stand on soft 17). The dealer does not really play so much as he or she executes rules specified by the casino. If the player's hand exceeds a total of 21 the player automatically losses (called "bust").

If the player's hand exceeds the total of the dealer's hand, the player wins the hand and is paid at 1 to 1 odds. If the player and dealer have the same total, the hand is a tie or push and the player retains his bet.

Always remember that when you play blackjack it's you against the dealer. The two variables that determine how you should play your hand are the dealer's upcard and your hand. With more experience, you'll also be able to use the information of all the cards that you see on the table (yours, the dealer and your fellow players) to make a more informed decision on how much to bet and how to play the hand... but now we're getting into card counting.

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Have Fun and Please Gamble Responsibly.