Blackjack Rules
The object of the game of blackjack is for the player’s hand to beat the dealer’s hand. This means that the total of your hand must be 21 or less and higher than that of the dealer’s. Though this premise is fairly simple, there are still a few rules that you must learn before you start playing for the first time.
There is a dealer assigned to each table that passes out the cards and collects and pays bets. The table will generally have a place for up to nine people to sit and play at. If you are at an online casino, your particular casino may have a multi-player table where you are able to chat with other players so that it is similar to an offline casino. Others offer tables where only you play against the dealer. You should play at whichever one makes you feel the most comfortable.
Before a single card is dealt, all players must place their bets. There is an area on the felt of the table for the bets to be placed. After all bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards out to each player, and two for him as well (one of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up, one face down). The card values are as follows:
- All number cards are worth their face value
- Face cards (kings, queens and jacks) count as ten
- An ace can count for either a one or eleven, the player gets to choose which
Once the initial two cards have been dealt and players get a chance to look at their hands (dealer does not turn their ‘hole’ card over yet), the rest of the game can be played out. The way the game plays out depends on the hands that the players are dealt. Here are the possibilities:
- Blackjack- This means that the player got an ace and either a ten or face card. If this happens, the player gets paid on 3:2 odds by the dealer. The only exception to this rule is if the dealer also happens to hit a blackjack as well. In this case, the hand is ruled as a standoff or tie, and all bets are left on the table for the next hand.
- Bust- Occurs when a player takes a hit (extra card) into their hand and the new total goes over 21. The player must turn over their cards and they lose their bet.
- Double down- A player is allowed to double their initial bet and take another card (called a ‘hit’) in order to improve their hand and get it closer or equal to 21 (without going over, which is called a ‘bust’).
- Hit- This means a player wishes to be dealt another card. The player can either scrape the table with their cards or a similar motion using their hands or fingers instead of their cards. At an online casino, you would simply click on the ‘hit’ button.
- Insurance- This is a side be that can only occur if the dealer’s ‘up card’ (card that it dealt face up) happens to be an ace. If this is the case, the player is allowed the bet (which can’t be more than half of their original bet) that the dealer has a natural (two-card hand that equals 21). If the dealer does happen to have a natural, then they get paid on 2:1 odds. If not, the bet is collected and goes to the dealer.
- Splitting pairs- This can only occur if a player is dealt a pair of cards. If a player has a pair, they get the option of splitting those cards into two separate hands and playing both. The same amount must be bet on each of the two hands. There are a few differences in the results, though. If the pair was aces, then an ace and ten counts as 21 instead of blackjack. The other difference has to do with aces as well- if the pair is aces, then only once more card is allowed to complete each hand. The player must stay after each card is dealt to each ace.
- Stand- Means that a player is satisfied with their hand and does not wish to add anymore cards to it.
- Surrender- This is an option for the player, where they can surrender their two cards before the game is done and lose half of their bet. The other half goes back to the dealer. This is considered a variation and is not allowed at all casinos.
These are the basic rules for blackjack played at most casinos. Like the surrender rules, there are variations on the game. Please see the “Blackjack Variations” section of this tutorial for instructions and explanations on these games.