Blackjack is a game where the object is to beat the dealer. You lose if you bust or have the same number as the dealer. If you both have the same number, you’re said to have a ‘push’, which means that neither you nor the dealer has won the hand. There are several ways to win at blackjack.
The first option is known as insurance. It pays 2:1, but it’s not a wise bet unless you know the dealer’s hole card. Insurance will almost always pay 2:1. Nevertheless, you should only bet on this option if you know that the dealer has a blackjack, since the odds are nearly nine to four (2.25%).
Blackjack is a game of strategy and luck, and the house has a statistical advantage over you. However, the game does have a player’s element of choice, so basic strategy can help you reduce the casino’s advantage. Basic strategy includes knowing when to hit, stand, double down, and split, based on the number of cards in your hand and the dealer’s visible card. You should also know the rules that govern how much of a dealer’s cards are visible, as this can affect your strategy.
Blackjack has undergone many changes over the years. Some of these changes were minor while others were significant. It’s thought that the game was influenced by the French word “vingt-e-un” (pronounced van-tay-uh-nee-un). The term reflects the fact that “21” is a very strong number and it means that the dealer has two cards that are the same.
In blackjack, the player’s objective is to get the total value of 21 (or close to it) without exceeding the dealer’s. Face cards and aces count as one or eleven, while all other cards are valued according to their index value. The hand with two cards of the same rank is known as a natural or a blackjack. If the dealer also has blackjack, he is automatically a “push.” This means that both players can win.
Insurance is another way to make money at blackjack. If you think the dealer has a blackjack, you can place a side bet on insurance. This bet pays 3-to-2 if the dealer does not have 21. This payout is equivalent to pushing your original bet. Aside from insurance, players can place a side bet if they’re concerned about winning a blackjack.
Surrendering your hand is as simple as saying “surrender,” but in some casinos, you have to signal this by hand. When a player surrenders a hand, the dealer removes his or her hand from the table and places half of the bet into the chip rack. The player has no further involvement in the round. Surrendering early is preferable to late surrender, as it allows the player to get his hands tallied before the dealer has checked the hole card.
If you are dealt eight cards and have a total of 20, it’s a good idea to stand. Otherwise, you may be forced to take another card. If you do, you’ll likely lose.