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Blackjack
21 - Tips and Tricks Your
online resource for tips, tricks and rules pertaining to
blackjack. Learn how to play blackjack online with our resource.
Here you get updated information on how to play blackjack.
In Blackjack, players compete
against the dealer, not each other, using standard decks of 52
cards. Ignore the suits (clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades) and
focus on the numerical values of the cards. Here's how you count
those values:
Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10s = 10
2-9 = Face value
Ace = 1 or 11
You win when you draw cards that
total closer to 21 than those held by the dealer. And you will
collect 1 1/2 times the amount of your bet if your first two cards
total 21 (an ace with any ten value card).
Each player, including the dealer,
is dealt two cards. The dealer has one card up and one card down
(in the hole). Natural Blackjack. Now look at your hand. If you
have an Ace and any 10 value card (King, Queen, Jack or 10), you
have a natural blackjack and have won! Immediately turn your cards
face up and collect your winnings from the dealer, unless the
dealer also had a blackjack. Most of the time your total will fall
shy of 21. Now you will have to decide whether to 'hit' or
'stand.' If you want another card, scratch for a 'hit' and the
dealer will deal you another card. You 'hit' when you feel your
hand needs more points to be competitive. But if that next card
takes you over 21 points, you go 'broke.' Should that happen, turn
your cards face up to signify you're no longer in that game.
Choosing to 'stand' means you're satisfied with your cards. You
don't want any more. In that event, place your cards face down
under your bet. After each player, moving from left-to-right, has
had a chance to 'hit' or 'stand' the dealer will turn his/her down
card face up. If the two cards total 16 or less, the dealer must
draw. If the total is 17 or more, the dealer must stand.
'INSURANCE PAYS 2 TO l.' Whenever
the dealer's 'up card' turns out to be an Ace, it is very possible
that a hidden Blackjack awaits. 'INSURANCE' lets you protect
yourself against that possibility to the extent of one-half your
original wager. In effect, you're betting the dealer has the
Blackjack. If he or she actually does, you're paid 2-to-1.
Special Words and Their Meanings.
BLACKJACK: Originally, any black
Ace with a black Jack. Now an original hand containing an Ace and
a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen or King) totaling '21.' Pays 3-2.
BROKE or BUST: Going over '21' with
additional cards drawn to the original hand.
HARD TOTAL: A hand with no Aces or
where the Ace is counted as '1.' Example, a King-9 counts as a
hard '19.'
HIT or DRAW: Adding cards to your
hand. Signal the dealer by making a slight movement toward you
with your original two cards or a hand signal on face-up games.
INSURANCE: When the dealer shows an
Ace as the upcard, you can bet up to one-half the amount of your
original wager that the dealer has a Blackjack. Pays 2-1 if you've
guessed right. If not, the dealer collects the insurance bets and
the game goes on.
NATURAL: A Blackjack dealt with the
original two cards.
PUSH: You tie the dealer. Neither
of you wins.
SOFT TOTAL: A hand with an Ace that
counts as an '11.' Example, an Ace-9 counts as a soft '20.'
STAND: You like your hand as it is.
Place your cards under your bet face down or give the proper hand
signal to let the dealer know you don't want to 'hit.'
STIFF: Any hand that could 'bust'
by adding one more card; for example, a hard '12-16.'
UPCARD: The face up card in the
dealer's original hand. |
