Blackjack is a card game where players compete against the dealer. The objective is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over 21, and to win by drawing cards with a value higher than the dealer’s, or having a hand with a higher point value that doesn’t bust (lose).
The game uses one or more decks of 52 cards, with each card’s value ranging from number or face card to one or 11 for an ace. There are several rules to the game, and each player can take advantage of certain situations that are favorable or not.
1. The house edge
The house edge in blackjack is very small – less than 1% against players who know the game and use basic strategy. This makes it an attractive game for people who want to have fun and make money at the same time.
2. Insurance
The player can choose to bet an amount equal to half of their initial wager when they think the dealer is showing a high card that could help them win. It is an expensive and risky bet, but can be profitable if you know the dealer’s cards.
3. Split
If a player has two cards of the same value, they can split them into two separate hands. This can be a good strategy to use when you have a weak hand that is likely to lose to the dealer, or to avoid a big bust when you have a strong hand.
4. Early Surrender
When you have a weak hand, it may be better to forfeit your half of your original wager than to draw more cards. This is especially useful when you have an ace.
5. Resplitting Aces
If you have a weak hand that you don’t think can beat the dealer, you can split your cards into two separate hands, and then draw more cards from each. This is a good strategy to use when you have an ace, since the dealer usually has a bad card, and you can avoid a huge bust by only drawing one card.
6. Double Down
If a player believes that the dealer will not have a strong card, they can increase their bet by up to twice as much. This can be a good strategy, but is only recommended when you are sure that you have a good chance of winning the hand.
7. Naturals and Pushes
In blackjack, the best hand is a combination of an ace with a ten-card or face card, giving a total of 21. This is called a “natural” or a “blackjack.” If a player has a natural, they automatically win; if they do not, the hand is considered a push and nobody wins anything.
8. The Dealer’s hole card
The dealer has a hole card, which they can see but cannot count. This is important because it helps them decide whether they should hit, stand, or double down. It also determines how many times they must re-shuffle the deck after each round.