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Blackjack RulesLearning blackjack isn't all that hard, though many people spend years fine tuning their game. BlackJack.md advisor can speed up the process a little though, by offering blackjack rules, strategy, and a free game all in one place. First things first though. The goal of the game of blackjack isn't always clearly defined for beginners, which is a bit disappointing considering it's not such a hard game. The goal of blackjack should always be stated as: beat the dealer. One of the rules of the game is that your card total cannot go over 21. Sadly though a lot of people confuse this rule of the game for the goal, and end up trying to get a hand as close to 21 as they can, thinking of beating the dealer only being a side effort. This way of thinking about the game is pretty detrimental. Blackjack rules are the guides used to play, but don't hint at your true goal. You can beat the dealer with a hand total of 3, if the dealer busts. So why worry about the elusive 21, when anything at all will do, so long as it beats the dealer. In the casino blackjack, the rules say you got to place a bet on the table before you get any cards. The dealer will give everyone including themselves one card, all face up, then they will give each player a second card face up, and themselves a second card face down. This face down card is known as the dealer's hole card. Some casinos deal blackjack all face down, in which case you have to touch the cards to see what you have. When you're playing this style, be sure to only touch your cards with one hand. While playing with friends however, you may want to take this opportunity to sharpen your slight-of-hand skills, up to you. After your first two cards are dealt to you, you have to make a decision on the hand. Fortunately you already know the dealer's up-card, so you have something to go on. Natural blackjack To get Blackjack and be paid back extra for it, you must hit 21 with your first two cards. An Ace and a 10 point card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) on the first two cards only, is considered a natural blackjack and is usually paid back at three to two. However, if the dealer also gets a natural blackjack, it is a push (a ties where nobody wins on or loses on their bet). So if you've hit a natural blackjack you don't have to worry about making any decisions based on your first two cards. If you're not so lucky though, let's have a look at what blackjack's rules offer as other options. Hit or Stand There are a few more decisions that you have the option of making, given certain circumstances on your first cards. Double Down Pair Splitting Insurance Surrender Blackjack Odds So what does this mean to you? It means that your blackjack odds can be better than those of the fellow next to you, which should put a smile on your face. It also means you can lower the odds of the game you're at by following the basic strategy defined for it (usually presented in the form of a chart). If you're fellin lucky, punk, you can lower the edge even more by trying a card counting strategy. But you shouldn't attempt this unless the casino isn't very stringent about card counters, and most are. New casinos with inexperienced dealers are a good bet, but it's usually awfully difficult to keep from looking like a card counter when you are one. A player playing recklessly (that is, one who pays little attention to basic strategy) can expect to face blackjack odds that aren't very appealing. The house edge in this situation is usually hovering between 3 and 5%. The first and most important thing you need to do to bring the odds into check, is grab yourself a basic strategy chart for game your playing. This chart has the optimal decision for every two-card hand you'll receive, verses every dealer up-card you could be up against. The these charts do the work of figuring out how to start each hand, and let you 'play perfectly', nudging the blackjack odds your up against, down a peg. A good peg in fact; playing with perfect basic strategy can decrease the house edge to about 0.5%. The factors that determine the proper basic strategy include: The number of decks used in the shoe The classic Vegas strip 6 deck game hits on a soft 17, can double on any 2 and after a split, offers later surrender, and if played with perfect strategy, can dip the house edge to about 0.36% Standard Atlantic City blackjack odds are different, because they don't generally offer surrender. With all other variables equal, playing perfect strategy in this game would give the house an edge of about 0.44%. UK online casinos gambling blackjack and roulette: UK Blackjack Rules |
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