Blackjack

Blackjack is easy to catch on to and is one of the most popular games offered in many gambling establishments. The object of Blackjack is to have a hand value that is higher than the dealer yet doesn't go over 21. Before the dealer starts dealing, players are to place bets.

The player can receive as many cards as they desire by calling "hit," or they can choose to "stand," and receive no more cards. In the case of a tie between the dealer and the player, the dealer then becomes a "push," and the player gets his bet back.

You don't have to be concerned about other players at the table because your hand is strictly played out against the hand of the dealer. This allows you to be more laid back and social while playing,there is no problem with friends at the table seeing the cards you hold in your hand, unlike in poker.

While players can play their hand as they like, certain restrictions are put on the dealer. Restrictions of the dealer are as followed: (some casinos have different variations to these rules so make sure you ask before you play)

-If the dealer's hand is a total of 16 or less, he must take additional cards until achieving a hand from 17-21 or busting.

-It's very important to find out the dealer rules before you play at a casino or in an online tournament. It will affect your outcome.

Values of the Cards are as follows:

-An Ace: Can count as either a 1 or 11

-The cards 2 though 9 are valued as indicated

-The 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued at 10

-The Ace can be counted as a 1 or 11 you need to specify what value the Ace has but it's assumed to always have the value that makes the best hand.

-For example, your beginning hand is an (Ace, 7) the hand could be either 8 or 18. If you stop there it will be 18. But if you draw another card let's say a 9 you would be in the clear because you're still not over 21.

A hand that contains an Ace is called a "soft" total because the Ace can be counted for as either 1 or 11 without the total going over 21