Blackjack
(scroll down to play Blackjack)
Blackjack is a relatively simple game to play. The aim of the game is to reach 21 without going over this number. Picture cards are worth 10, aces are worth 1 or 11 and number cards are worth their face value. The best hand you can achieve is of two cards that total 21, this is known as ‘Blackjack’. When this is obtained the casino pays out at 3-2 rather than the 2-1 of any other win – for example if you bet is for £5 you will get £7.50 plus your original stake. Most casinos will use either four, six or eight decks of cards. When playing online, the cards are usually replaced and shuffled after each hand meaning that card counting is not advisable.
To play you start by betting an amount before any cards are dealt. All cards are dealt face up apart from the dealer who only shows one of his cards. The player then decides whether or not to stand or to take another card, if he exceeds 21 then he is ‘bust’ and the dealer wins. After the player has finished taking cards the dealer then plays to a set of casino rules. The dealer must keep taking cards to a total of 16 or less if he achieves 17 or more then he must stand. The player with the closest to 21 wins.
There are a few other points to take not of:
· Split – If you receive 2 cards of the same value you can ‘split’ the hand in two and play to 21 on each new hand, however if you wish to do this you must double your bet.
· Insurance – If the dealers face up card is an ace then the play is offered ‘insurance’ (essentially a bet that the dealer has a 10 value card face down). Insurance, paying 2-1, consists of a bet of half the amount of the original bet – This means that if you lose the hand but the dealer has blackjack then you come out even. Obviously if the dealer dosent have blackjack then you lose your insurance money as well.
Terminology
Soft hand - A hand where an ace can be counted as 1 one an 11 without busting.
Hard hand – Any hand without an ace or where the ace must be counted as 1 to avoid busting.
Push - This refers to a tie between the dealer and the player. In most casinos your original bet will be returned.
Tips
Seeing as card counting at online casinos is a non starter here are some tips to help you come out on top.
1. Always ‘split’ your aces and you 8s. Do this no matter what the dealer has showing.
2. Never split your 10s.
3. When playing at an online casino never take insurance.
4. If the dealer is showing 6 or lower (not including an ace) then stand on a hard 13,14,15,16.
5. If the dealer is showing a 10 then keep taking cards until you reach at least 17, then stand.
6. If the dealer has a 4,5 or 6 then stand on a hard 12.
Blackjack is a relatively simple game to play. The aim of the game is to reach 21 without going over this number. Picture cards are worth 10, aces are worth 1 or 11 and number cards are worth their face value. The best hand you can achieve is of two cards that total 21, this is known as ‘Blackjack’. When this is obtained the casino pays out at 3-2 rather than the 2-1 of any other win – for example if you bet is for £5 you will get £7.50 plus your original stake. Most casinos will use either four, six or eight decks of cards. When playing online, the cards are usually replaced and shuffled after each hand meaning that card counting is not advisable.
To play you start by betting an amount before any cards are dealt. All cards are dealt face up apart from the dealer who only shows one of his cards. The player then decides whether or not to stand or to take another card, if he exceeds 21 then he is ‘bust’ and the dealer wins. After the player has finished taking cards the dealer then plays to a set of casino rules. The dealer must keep taking cards to a total of 16 or less if he achieves 17 or more then he must stand. The player with the closest to 21 wins.
There are a few other points to take not of:
· Split – If you receive 2 cards of the same value you can ‘split’ the hand in two and play to 21 on each new hand, however if you wish to do this you must double your bet.
· Insurance – If the dealers face up card is an ace then the play is offered ‘insurance’ (essentially a bet that the dealer has a 10 value card face down). Insurance, paying 2-1, consists of a bet of half the amount of the original bet – This means that if you lose the hand but the dealer has blackjack then you come out even. Obviously if the dealer dosent have blackjack then you lose your insurance money as well.
Terminology
Soft hand - A hand where an ace can be counted as 1 one an 11 without busting.
Hard hand – Any hand without an ace or where the ace must be counted as 1 to avoid busting.
Push - This refers to a tie between the dealer and the player. In most casinos your original bet will be returned.
Tips
Seeing as card counting at online casinos is a non starter here are some tips to help you come out on top.
1. Always ‘split’ your aces and you 8s. Do this no matter what the dealer has showing.
2. Never split your 10s.
3. When playing at an online casino never take insurance.
4. If the dealer is showing 6 or lower (not including an ace) then stand on a hard 13,14,15,16.
5. If the dealer is showing a 10 then keep taking cards until you reach at least 17, then stand.
6. If the dealer has a 4,5 or 6 then stand on a hard 12.
