Hot topics:
Today you are going to learn how to win at blackjack from a 20 year pro. After reading this easy game play, rules and terms glossary you will be ready to sit down at a real money table, guaranteed. The basic premise of blackjack is that you are trying to use the cards dealt to you to add up to 21 or as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21. If your cards end up going over 21, you automatically lose the hand.
The game starts out by the dealer dealing 2 cards to you, and 2 cards to themselves. One of their cards will be face up to help with your blackjack strategy. All cards have their normal value with face cards being a 10, and an Ace acting as a 1 or 11.
After the cards are dealth, if you like what you see with your two cards, you waive your hand over the table and say "stay". That means you want no more cards. If you have a low total from your first two cards you'll want to say "hit" which means you get another card from the dealer. Getting another card is a double edged sword because even though you want to get your number higher, you cannot go over 21 or the hand is over (that's called busting). It's a fine balance.
How the betting works: Before the hand is dealt, you need to place a bet in front of you. If the dealer's one showing card is an Ace right away, you'll be asked if you want to buy insurance. That means that you are betting on yourself to lose because the dealer's other card is a face card. It's a safeguard against losing all your money right away.
If you win the hand ,you double your money. If you lose the hand, you get nothing. That part is really simple. Also, if you get "blackjack" which is an ace and any face card, you are automatically given 1.5 times your money, instead of 1x. If a dealer's cards are under 16, they must hit and take another card. If they are 17 or over, they have to stay. That will all play into your strategy but most of all it means that if the dealer busts (goes over 21) then everyone in the hand wins. There are typicall up to 6 people at any given blackjack table, and the number of decks range from 1 to 8.
Here are some common blackjack terms:
Insurance: betting on yourself to lose when the dealer shows an Ace. It acts as protection against a loss vs a dealer blackjack.
Double (or double down): Doubling down doubles your actual first bet, and then you receive one last card. It's a great play to do when you have a great chance of hitting 21 (sitting on 11) or if the dealer has a great chance to bust (sitting on 5 or 6, or 2).
Surrender: Surrendering is when you simply give up your bet, however, since you are giving it up before the hand is over you are getting half of your money back. There is also an early surrender which is before a dealer looks for BJ.
Even: When you decide to take your 1:1 winnings after you hit blackjack, and the dealer shows an ace. Not many people know about this rule which can increase your odds in such situations.
Now you are definitely in the know about how to play blackjack the right way, you're easily ready to jump in the action for real money play. Good luck!
