There are a few basics you need when you are learning how to play blackjack. First, the object of the game is to accumulate cards whose points will total 21 without going over. Face cards, including Jacks, Queens, and Kings are each worth 10 points. Aces can be worth either one or 11 points, which ever is preferable. Every other card is their respectable number.
The dealer is known as the House. In blackjack, you are trying to beat the House. If there is a tie between the player and the House, it is called a push and no one wins. An ace and a 10 (blackjack) automatically wins, unless they tie the House. To win the game you must beat the dealer/House without busting (going over). You bust when your card total is over 21 and you automatically loose. The winner is the person who has the hand closest to 21. If you and another player both tie for 19 you both are winners. You are not playing anyone else except the House. If the House gets an 18 and you get a 20 and another player gets a 19, you are all winners.
Each blackjack table seats about 6 players. Between six and eight decks of cards are used and shuffled together by the dealer and placed in the card dispensing box called Shoe.
When learning how to play blackjack you must learn how to begin the game. Before starting, each person places a wager. The player is dealt 2 cards face up. The dealer gets one face up and one face down. Each player in turn decides whether they want more cards trying to get closer to 21 without busting. When all players are done, the dealer decides whether they want to stay or they want a hit (another card). When they are finished, he turns his card over. If the dealer is 17 or higher, he must stay, but if they are 16 or lower, he must draw. If you win, you get your bet back; which means the dealer has to match what you wagered in the beginning.
The players who have not busted stay in and if the dealer busts, then they all win.
These are some of the terms when learning how to play blackjack. Surrender is when you give up your hand and lose only half the bet. Early surrender is when you give up before the dealer checks for blackjack. Late surrender is when the dealer checks to see if they have blackjack. If he does, surrender is not allowed. Double down is when you double your initial bet following the initial two cards that are dealt to you. Even money is when you cash your bet immediately when you are dealt a natural blackjack and the dealer’s showing card is an Ace. A split hand is when you split the initial two card hand into two and play them separately. This is only allowed when the first two cards are of equal value. A hard hand is when you count an Ace as an 11. A soft hand is when you count the Ace as a 1.
Some blackjack variations vary the amount of decks being used. The fewer the decks, the higher the player advantage.
Hopefully, this helps you learn how to play blackjack.
By Jessica Maughan