Blackjack is an easy game to learn, as it has few rules. Yet another reason why it’s so popular around the world.
The objective of Blackjack is for the player to be able to make a hand with a full value or close to twenty-one. The sum of the cards can never exceed this value, otherwise it is automatically out of the round.
Ideally, then, ask for cards to get close to this sum, but stop before going over it. Whoever gets the number closest to twenty-one, or who reaches that number with the fewest cards, wins the hand.
The game starts with players placing their bets. Each player places the stipulated minimum bet in front of him, and then receives two cards from the dealer.
The dealer gives himself two cards as well. The game is played between the player and the dealer, not with other players at the table.
Player cards are usually face up. One of the dealer’s cards is face up, called the ascendant, and the other remains face down, known as the hole card. If the dealer’s face up card is a ten or ace, he checks the bottom card for a possible Blackjack. In this case all players at the table lose and the banker wins the hand.
The only possibility of winning is with another Blackjack. If the dealer does not have a Blackjack then players can play their hands. Play order is from dealer left to right.
The plays that exist in Blackjack are:
– Stand: The player asks for a stand if he is satisfied with his hand and does not want to receive any more cards.
– Hit: The player asks for a hit if he wants one more card.
– Double: When you feel the need for an extra card, just one, and then you double your bet and receive the card.
– Split: When the player receives two cards of the same value in the first round, he can split them into two different hands, having to make another bet of equal value.
– Surrender: In some places the player can request surrender after the first two cards if he doesn’t like them. He loses only half of the bet to the dealer.
It is worth remembering that each casino, or any other gambling venue, may have different rules. Usually, in a more homely game of Blackjack, or even in some online games, the rules are limited to asking for more cards and standing, with no split or surrender options. This depends on the location, the dealer and how Blackjack is being played.
