subject: Blackjack: Learning The Basic Rules [print this page] Blackjack: Learning The Basic Rules Blackjack: Learning The Basic Rules
Blackjack is a game that is played between the players and the dealer. The players are against the dealer and the objective of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. The dealer starts by dealing two rounds of cards from left to right until each player has two cards and the dealer has one card face up exposing its value and another facing down card. Once the players take a hold of their cards, they have several options which, depending on its total value, they can apply in the game to try to bust the dealer.
Hit
This command means that the player would like to take another card. Hitting will have the dealer deal the player with another card in an attempt to improve the current card total. While the player's cards total is not more than 21, this option can repeatedly be executed if the player choose to do so.
Stand
This option otherwise means satisfaction, and choosing this option would make the dealer understands that the player don't wish any additional card to be dealt to him. Moreover, usually with total 18 to 20, the player should choose to stand to avoid the high risk of getting busted, making the dealer win. And once you've chosen to stand, other players at the table will get to make their decisions followed by the dealer.
Bust
With hit as the most common resort to a hand with a very low total, most players choose this option several times per round. And when hitting is overdone, the player's hand could total beyond 21, which in blackjack lingo means Bust. Simply, a total of 22 and higher means bust. And bust means losing the round. If the dealer bust, the player wins and vice versa.
Double-Down
This command is a concluding option which would allow the player to double his bet with one addition card, but can't anymore hit to further improve the total after. And since there is another card coming after Double-Down, players should make use of this option wisely. Experienced blackjack players usually take this option when the dealer has a particularly weak face up card such as a 6 versus the player starting hand total of somewhere 10.
Split
This option is available when the player has a pair like 8 and 8. When the player is dealt with a pair, he can take the split option to double the bet and the change of winning, since there will be two sets of cards to play after taking this option. The player then plays the two sets of cards normally and is free to double, hit or stand accordingly. The only exception is splitting aces which in most games the dealer does not have the option to hit after they have been split.
Surrender
This option is generally only available in Spanish and allows the players to surrender their hand if they think it is likely they will lose. Surrendering will have the player take half of his/her bet back.
Insurance
If the dealer's exposed card or up card is an ace, he will give the players an option to take insurance. Insurance is a bet that the dealer has blackjack and is equal to half of the total amount of the player's bet. If the player take insurance and the dealer has blackjack, he will be returned his full bet. Otherwise, the player will lose his insurance bet, but will be able to continue the hand with his original bet. It is only ideal to take insurance when there's a handful good hand meaning such as 18, 19 and 20. Otherwise, if its only the marginal hand such as 12 to 16, losing is highly possible.
