The game of blackjack is a casino card game involving strategy and mathematics. To some it may feel like pure chance, but in reality the game is very scientific with a right and wrong answer to every move.
Blackjack is usually played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players. The standard table seats seven players (or “spots”), but there are also tables that seat five or 12 players. A dealer stands behind the table and chip rack, while the players sit on the other side.
In a traditional game of blackjack, the dealer deals each player two cards face-down. The player can then choose to ‘HIT’ or ‘STAND’. If the player’s first two cards total 21, it is a ‘Blackjack’ and the player wins immediately (unless the dealer has a blackjack as well, in which case the hand ties).
After all the players have played their hands, the dealer looks at their hole card. If the dealer has a ten underneath, they have a blackjack and everyone else’s insurance wagers are paid out 2 to 1. If the dealer does not have a ten, then they will look at their other card and continue the game.
Occasionally, the dealer will split a pair of cards. This means that the dealer will deal a second card to each of the original two cards, and then both hands will be played separately. This can be a good option for a player with certain cards, such as a pair of aces, a pair of tens, or a pair of face cards.
If a player is confident that they can beat the dealer’s hand, they may double their bet and ask for one additional card. This is known as ‘Doubling Down’ and it can be one of the most profitable moves in the game. Typically, a player will only double when they have a strong hand that can beat the dealer’s up-card.
The dealer will then draw cards until they have a total of 17 or more. If the dealer has a blackjack, the players’ bets push-in other words, they are returned to them. Otherwise, the dealers’ and players’ hands are compared and whoever has a higher total wins.
In addition to the main game of blackjack, many casinos offer a wide variety of side bets. These can include bets on whether the dealer will have a blackjack, bets on the number of the next card to be drawn, and more. While these side bets can make the game more fun, they can significantly increase the house edge of blackjack. For this reason, it is important to avoid these bets unless you’re an expert at counting cards. However, it is possible to find blackjack games that do not offer these side bets.