Riding The Wave - Blackjack Betting Strategy

 

 

The Game Of Blackjack

 

Blackjack can be played with one to eight ordinary decks of cards. Cards of rank 2 through 10 are scored according to their face value.

 

 The highest hand in blackjack is an ace and any 10-point card and is called a blackjack. A winning blackjack pays 3:2. If both player and dealer have a blackjack the bet is a push.

 

Aside from a blackjack a winning hand pays even money. The player wins if his hand has more points than the dealer, without going over 21. Thus a 21-point hand is the highest and is why the game is sometimes called 21. If either the player or dealer go over 21 it is called a break or bust and automatically loses. If both the player and dealer bust the player loses, where lies the house advantage. If the player and dealer tie the bet is a push.

 

The following options are available.

Stand: If the player is satisfied with his hand as-is he may stand pat.

Hit: If the player wishes to take another card he may continue to do so until he either stands or busts.

Double: If the player feels he needs one and only one more card then he may double his bet and be dealt one more card, good or bad. This option is only offered on the first two cards, and sometimes on the first two cards after splitting.

Split: If the player's first two cards are of equal point value he may split them into two hands. In this event each card is the first card of a new hand. The player must also make another wager of equal value to the first for the second hand. The player may usually resplit up to 2 or 3 times if another splitting opportunity arises.

Surrender: Finally some casinos offer the player the option to surrender on the first two cards. If the player does not like their prospects he may forfeit half the bet as well as his cards.

After all players have played their hands, from the dealer's left to right, the dealer will play his hand. The dealer has no free will but must always play by certain house rules. Usually the rule is that the dealer must hit until he reaches a score of 17 or more.

 

If the dealer busts all players that did not bust no free will but must always play by certain house rules. Usually the rule is that the dealer must hit until he reaches a score of 17 or more although some casinos stipulate that if the dealer has a soft 17.

 

 

 

Riding The Wave - Blackjack Betting Strategy