Blackjack Game

Blackjack

The game of Blackjack or 21, is a card game played by at least two people. The object of the game is to get a hand of cards that the numeric value is closest to 21 - without going over 21, if you go over twenty-one you have lost the hand or Busted.

In Casino Blackjack the Casino or "House" is always the Dealer. In the Poker rooms you only play against the Dealer, just like the FREE FLASH BLACKJACK GAME at the top of this page.

Blackjack - The Cards

The suit of the card, does NOT matter in Blackjack or 21, only the number value of the card is counted.

Cards 2 through 10 are The number shown on the card, also called the "face Value".

The cards, Jack, Queen and King are all valued at 10 each.

Aces can be valued at 1 or 11.

Blackjack - Hands

The total of all cards in your hand is your "score", in other words, if you have a 9 (nine) and a King your score is 19 (nineteen), or if you have an Ace (one or eleven) and an 8 (eight) your score could be 9 (Nine) or it could be 19 (nineteen), players choice. (Although, in the last example most players would want the 19).

-Blackjack Deal-

After the bets are made and placed on the table.

Each Blackjack player and the dealer are dealt two cards at the start of the Hand (game). The Deal starts with the player on the far left of the Dealer and then goes clockwise. Depending on the house rules, both of the player's cards can either be face down, face up or one card face up and one face down. (In our Blackjack game both player's cards are face up). The Dealer is always dealt one card face down and one card face up.

Once the cards are dealt, play proceeds around the table, starting at the player to the dealer's far left, same as the deal. This player position to the far left of the dealer is also called "first base".

Each Blackjack player only plays against the dealer, not against the other Blackjack players at the table. Only your hand and the Dealer's hand determines if you win or lose.

-Blackjack Dealer Rules-

The Blackjack Dealer must always play his/her hand according to the house or table rules. The Blackjack dealer has no choices or decisions to make as to how to play his/her hand, the Blackjack Dealers job is very simple, just follow the rules.

Table rules differ from table to table. Tables will often display their rules on the table felt or on small signs that sit on the table next to the Dealer.

Our Free Blackjack Game, the house rules are the Dealer must stand on 17 (Seventeen). This means that when the Dealers hand equals 17 (Seventeen) or more the Dealer can not draw any more cards.

If your hand is 21 or under and you tie the Dealer, this is called a "Push" or "Stand Off". In our Free Blackjack Game when the Dealer and Player tie (Stand Off) the bets are left on the table. (The Player does not lose.)

Blackjack Hand

You have a Blackjack when the first two cards dealt equal 21 (Twenty-One). An Ace and a Ten, Jack, Queen or King. The suit of the cards does not matter. (The cards do not have to be "Black" or a "Jack" to be a Blackjack.) Most of the Casino's pay time and a half (1.5 times your bet) if you get dealt a Blackjack. If the Dealer deals himself/herself a Blackjack you only lose the amount you bet.

Hitting and Standing

After all the players receive their first two cards, the Player must decide if they want to draw another card (Hit) or not draw any more cards (Stand) or Double Down. Deciding to Hit or Stand is the basic fundamental decision in the Game of Blackjack.

Doubling Down

After your first two cards are dealt, but before the Player (Hits) draws any cards, The player can decide to double his/her bet and only take one single card that will be dealt face up. This is a great way for the Player to make some money.

Best time to Double Down- Player has 11 (eleven) and the Dealer has a 6 (Six) or less showing

Splitting Pairs

When the Player is dealt a pair (Two of the same cards. For example, two Aces or Two Eights), The Player then has the option, before any more cards are drawn, to "split" the pair into two separate hands and play both hands on their own. Splitting a hand also doubles your bet as each new hand requires a bet in the same amount as your original bet. Each hand is then played just as any normal hand, unless the pair that is being split is a pair of Aces. Casino rules vary in this situation, but in most cases, the casino's allow the player to continue to split the hand as long as the Player continues to receive pairs.

The old timers say, "Only split Aces and Eights".

-Insurance-

When the Dealer has an Ace showing the Player can decide if insurance is wanted. Insurance is just that, Insurance against the Dealer having a Blackjack. Insurance is half of the original bet, if the Dealer has a Blackjack the insurance bet is paid to the casino, but the original bet is not lost to the Player. If the Dealer does not have a Blackjack the insurance bet is paid to the casino and play continues normally.

Buying Insurance, when the Dealers face up card is an Ace is often a losing bet for the Player, be sure of your bet before you buy insurance.