In a previous article, we discussed the rules of 3 card poker. Now is the time to learn Blackjack. Blackjack is played between a dealer and a single player. The object is to beat the dealer with a hand of cards that does not exceed 21. Blackjack game is played with 2-6 decks of cards. In this article, you will learn about Blackjack card game rules.
Blackjack card game rules – preparation
Before learning how to play blackjack card game, you need to know the meanings of the cards.
Card values in blackjack
- Value of face cards in blackjack (10, J, Q, K) count as 10;
- Ace in Blackjack count as either 1 or 11, player’s choice;
- All other cards count as their face value.
Play begins with you placing a bet. You receive two cards and the dealer receives two cards. The first two cards are dealt face up to the player with the dealer’s first card being dealt face down and the dealer’s second card being dealt face up. The dealer’s first face-up card is called the upcard. The dealer’s face down card is known as the hole card.
After the initial deal, the dealer settles your hands. You can continue to take hits (draw cards) until you want to stand (stop drawing) or until the hand goes over 21, called a bust. You can hit or stand on any card total of 21 or below.
After you have completed your turns, the dealer must draw cards as long as his or her total is less than 16 and must stand when the total is 17 or more.
Winning/Losing
You win Blackjack by beating the dealer’s hand. You must hold a hand equal to or less than 21 that also beats the dealer’s hand. If the first two cards you receive are Blackjack (total 21), and the dealer does not have Blackjack, you win immediately.
If you go over 21 (bust) or the dealer’s hand is greater than yours (21 or under), then you lose your bet. Then you stand with any total under 21 and the dealer busts, then you win your bet.
If you tie the dealer, it is called a push, and neither side wins.
The dealer settles nearly all bets at even money. However, if you have Blackjack and the dealer has an ordinary hand, you receive 3 to 2 payment
Blackjack card game rules – Doubling Down
In the process of drawing cards, you may find an opportunity to double down if you have certain card combinations (such as a total of 10 or 11). This option makes it possible for you to double your initial bet under favourable conditions. When you double down, you simply place your additional bet (equal to your original bet) aside your original bet.
You are dealt one and only one additional card at that point, completing your hand.
Splitting Pairs
By Blackjack card rules, you can split when dealt a pair of any kind (e.g. two aces or any pair of cards whose value is 10). Splitting pairs means you choose to make two hands out of one hand. Your original bet remains in effect for each hand. Thus, it effectively doubles the amount of money on the line.
To split your pairs, you separate the identical cards, leaving them face up, and place an amount of chips equal to your original wager in front of your new hand. You then proceed to play each hand independently, requesting cards or standing, as desired. You can win, lose, or bust with either or both hands.
Insurance
When the dealer’s up card is an ace, he or she will ask the players if they want to buy insurance. Insurance is actually a type of secondary bet; you are betting that the dealer has a Blackjack.
To take out insurance, place half of your original wager in the “insurance” area marked on the board. The dealer will then check the hole card to see if it’s a Blackjack. If the dealer does indeed have a Blackjack, you are paid off at 2 to 1. However, you also lose your original bet (if you do not have Blackjack), making the hand a wash.
If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, you lose the insurance bet and play continues as normal.
Blackjack card game rules – On Fire
On Fire is a feature unique to some casinos game of blackjack. It makes for a more exciting game as well as offering better overall payouts.
In order to be “On Fire” you must win three hands in a row. You will notice the On Fire gauge at the top of the game screen. When this guage fills up, you will be on fire. Once you have accomplished this, all winning blackjack hands pay you at 2-1 odds instead of 3-2 odds. Dramatically increasing your potential pay out. However, if you are on fire and you lose a hand, you lose your current on fire status and must go back and try to win three hands in a row.
Pushed hands do not affect your On Fire status. If you have Android phone, you can try Blackjack here.