Best Blackjack UK - Blackjack Rules

Blackjack Reviews:

Blackjack Rules

Blackjack has become one of the most popular casino games played by gambling enthusiasts today because:

Blackjack is a simple game, with few rules that are easily comprehended.
Although blackjack is simple, it is largely a game of skill, not just luck.
Odds of winning blackjack are not fixed in favor of the house. As the game progresses the cards are depleted, thus changing the composition of the deck(s).
Minimum bets are usually low on some tables, without decreasing the odds.
Blackjack is the casino game that gives players their best chance to win.

The Object Of Blackjack

The purpose of the game is to get a card point total closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21. You are trying to beat the dealer, not get as close to 21 as you can. Keep in mind that blackjack is not a group game. Sometimes, there may be many players at the table, but the dealer only plays with one person at a time.

Playing The Game

The dealer starts with the player to his/her left and deals them one card; he/she then deals each player at the table one card and finally one to himself, face up. He/she then continues with this order in dealing every player a second card, except the dealer's second card is dealt face down.

When everyone has two cards, the dealer starts again with the player to his/her left and asks if they want to be dealt more cards. These cards are dealt individually, until the player busts or indicates that he/she wants to stand. Once every player has finished with his/her hand the dealer must play his. The dealer has rules, printed on the table, that determine his/her play. These rule usually state the dealer will take a card when his/her total is 16, and stand when he/she has a count of 17.

After the dealer has finished with his/her hand, assuming the dealer doesn't bust, he/she will pay off bets with better hands, collect bets on worse hands, or in the case of a tie "pushes". Players then collect what they won, if any, and may make a new bet. This process is then repeated with a new game/hands.

Blackjack Betting Rules

All bets are placed before the first card is dealt. The players win even money if they better the dealer, and win 3 to 2 for a blackjack ($15 paid on a $10 bet).

Insurance bets are offered if the dealer's face card is an ace. If the dealer shows an ace then he/she will ask if anyone wants insurance. This is a side bet on the dealer having a card worth ten as his/her face down card. If you think the dealer has a ten you can bet a sum up to the value of your original bet and if you are right you will receive 2 to 1 on your insurance bet. This has nothing to do with your original bet. You still have to beat the dealer's hand, if he/she has the ten the best you can do is tie with a blackjack of your own.

The Game Action

In casinos that play a multi-deck game, all cards are dealt face up, and the players are not supposed to touch their cards or the original bet on the table. This lowers the chance of players cheating by changing either the card or the size of the wager and also speeds up the game.

The player goes first, and can choose from standing or hitting. If the players have certain cards, they may also double down or split. The player decides on his/her move depending on what cards he/she has and what cards the dealer has showing. As a general rule, if the dealer's face up card is greater than 7, the player has better odds if he/she hits on a total of 12 to 16. The player should stand if the cards he/she are dealt total 17 or more because the odds of busting are too great.

Once everyone at the table is finished the dealer plays his/her hand. The dealer is governed by a set of rules and has the same two options as the player. The rules generally state if the dealer has 16 or less he/she must take a card and if he/she has a count of 17 or more he/she has to stand.

Doubling down is done when you have two cards and feel that you can beat the dealer with just one more card. You can then double your bet and receive your one card. To signal your intention to double down split by placing a bet of equal value on the table next to the first bet (touching neither the cards nor the original bet). While many casinos will let you double down on any hand except for when the two cards total 21, some restrict you to hands totaling 9, 10 or 11.

Splitting pairs is an option given to players when they are dealt two cards of equal value. You can then choose to split them and play each card as a separate hand. If you split the cards, you create two separate hands, and play the one on your right first. Usually if you split aces you are allowed to play only one card on each of the two aces, and if you do get a ten as the second card it is not considered a blackjack. These hands will beat a dealer's hand if it totals 21, but lose if the dealer gets a blackjack, and only pays even money if the player wins. The player indicates that he/she wishes to split by placing a bet of equal value on the table next to the first bet (without touching the cards or the original bet).

Surrendering is allowed in some casinos. If you feel your two cards will not beat the dealer's hand you announce "surrender." The dealer will pick up your cards and half of your bet. In some casinos you have to announce your decision to surrender before the dealer deals to the first hand.