BlackJack: Winning

 BlackJack wins

How to Play

BlackJack can be played around a table that holds up to eight people. The rectangular "betting" box is placed in front of each participant. This is where the players place the chips that they want to wager. The dealer stands at the table and deals out cards in front of every player. A "shoe" is a box that holds six to eight cards. It is used to deal out cards. The betting chips can be found directly in front the dealer. If you wish to play, place your money on a table. If you leave the table you will take your chips with you. You can then convert the chips into cash somewhere else.

After shuffling all the decks, the dealer will ask each player to cut it. A marker is then placed at one-half to three fourths of the deck. Finally, the deck is put in the shoe. This marks the "shufflepoint" and the deck is reshuffled at that point. The "burned" card means that the first card you deal is removed and placed in the "hole" pile (the discard pile). After players place their bets, the dealer deals each bettor two cards. One at a time, from the dealer's left to his right. All cards except the dealer's second card are dealt face up. The "upcard" is the face-up card of the dealer. After all cards have been dealt the dealer moves around the table from his left to right, giving each betor the chance to play.

BlackJack's goal for a hand to be valued at 21 points or less is the ultimate goal. BlackJack cards have points values that are equal to the number of their cards: a 2 is worth 2 points, a 8 worth 8 and so forth. The ten-point value of all cards is ten. An Ace is unique in the sense that it can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what results in a higher total. An Ace can have its value changed between 11 and 1 at any time during a game. The "total" is the sum total of all cards from each player. If an Ace is on a card, the total is called the "total". It can be either hard or soft depending on whether the Ace counts as a 1. Or as 11. An Ace-6, for example, is a "soft 17" since the Ace is counting at 11 points and 11+6=17. An Ace-6-9, on the other hand, is called a hard 16 because it has an Ace that counts as 1 point. 1+6+9=16. BlackJack's only factor that matters is the value of the cards. The suit is irrelevant and all ten-value cards (Ace to King, Queen, Jack, 10, etc.) are equal.

The goal of a betor when playing is to improve his hand. If you are dealt 21 cards at once (eg. If the total of 21 cards are dealt initially (eg. Ace-Jack), it's a "BlackJack". The dealer then goes to the next bettor. Any hand with less than 21 cards gives the player several options. He can ask for another card or "hit" his hand. Or he can "double up" and draw one more card.

The dealer's Ace upcard gives each player the option to place an insurance side-bet. The dealer will "show" an Ace when he has an Ace upcard. Before anyone plays their hand, he will often ask each player (often casually and quickly) whether they would like insurance. The insurance bet is a wager that a player must make to cover his initial bet. He will win twice as much money if the dealer holds a BlackJack. In other words, the player will lose half his original bet and still win double the insurance bet.

The player's hand is complete when he either chooses to stand or draws a card that increases his (hard total) by more than 21. This is called a "bust." After all hands have been completed, the dealer will turn over his face-down deck and play out his hand. The dealer is limited to two options. He must hit on any totals under 17, and must hold on all totals 17-21. Some casinos will require that the dealer hits a soft 17. Ace-6) also.

After the dealer has sat (on his total of 17 through 21, or has drawn a hand that forces his total over 21,--a bust), he pays the winners and collects the losses. If a player loses his bet, he will immediately lose it. This is even if the dealer busts later. If the dealer busts all players lose even their money. A winning bet of ten bucks nets the player the original ten and ten dollars from his dealer. If the dealer fails to bust, all the players with totals that are higher than the dealer (but not busting) win even money. Players with totals that are lower than the dealer lose bets. Players with totals that are equal to the dealer get their original bet back. winning blackjack