Blackjack the Online Card Game
The basic object of blackjack is for the total of your cards to be closer to a total of 21 than the dealer’s cards but without exceeding a total of 21.
You will be dealt two cards and the dealer will be dealt one card with that card face up. Sometimes the dealer may be dealt two cards but one of them will always be showing.
All picture cards (jack, queen, king) have a value of ten. Aces have a value of either one or eleven.After dealing is complete – you must play your hand and decide what to do. You have a number of options:
Hit: Be dealt another card.
Stand: You’re happy with your cards and do not want another one. Your hand is over and the dealer plays his hand.
Split: If your first two cards have the same point value (for example two fives, two jacks, or two aces) you may split the cards and play them as separate hands. This doubles your bet however. Sometimes the “perfect blackjack” suggests splitting.
Double down: You double your wager and are dealt just one more card. Sometimes the “perfect blackjack” strategy suggests doubling down.
Insurance: If the dealers upcard is an ace you are offered insurance against the dealer having a blackjack. We never take insurance.
Of you draw cards and go over 21, you have “bust” and lose the hand. The dealer has to keep drawing cards if his hand totals 16 or less and must stand on 17 or above. This is important as you can stand any time you wish and can win a hand with a very low total.
If you win the hand, you are paid at even money – if you bet $1 you are returned $2. If you have a “blackjack”( an ace and a ten or face card) and beat the dealer you are paid at 1.5/1. So if you bet $1 your return would be $2.50. If your hand is equal to the dealer’s hand it is called a “push.” A tie if you will. Nobody wins and your stake is returned.
If you’ve not played blackjack before, don’t worry. Most (if not all) the casinos we recommend have a practice facility where you can hone your technique and get used to the strategy sheet without risking any money.
