blackjack strategy
Blackjack is the most popular casino game of all. Black Jack's popularity is so high because if played right the odds are much higher than in any other game. The rules are somewhat different from area to area and from casino to casino. This means you have to make sure you inform yourself about the exact rules for black jack and guidelines each casino has, before you start gambling. In Black Jack you don't play against any other players - only against the dealer. The main purpose in Black Jack is to get a hand higher than the dealer's without going over 21. The game starts with every player making their opening bets. Make sure to read the sign next to the dealer which specify the minimum and maximum limit of table. Most online casinos have table limits from as low as $1 up to $100.
After all the players placed their bets the dealer will start dealing the cards. Starting with the player to his left he gives every player one card, face down, including himself. This is the dealers down card. Then he deals a second round of cards, face down but this time the card he deals himself will be face up. This is the dealers up card. You now can look at both of your cards and find your total by simply adding the values of your cards. The ethics of the cards in Black Jack from two to ten are at face value.
Jacks, Queens and Kings Count ten and the Ace counts eleven or one. The Ace always counts eleven except if your total exceeds 21 - then the value of the Ace is reduced to one. A hand with one Ace having the value of 11 is called a soft hand and a hand with all Aces having the value of one is called a hard hand. In BlackJack for example, if you get an 8 and Ace dealt it would be a soft 19 while an 8, 10 and Ace would be a hard 19. Getting a start total of 21 is called a Black Jack and you have to show your hand immediately. If the dealer's up card is an Ace he checks for a dealer black jack first and then continues the game. Exceeding a total of 21, and already counting all the aces you have in your hand as one, means you are bust and lose your bet.
After all the players have made their decision the dealer will then play his hand. The playing of the dealer's hand must follow certain rules. He must hit on every total less than 17 or otherwise stand. Some casinos even let the dealer hit when he has a soft 17. The rules which the dealer has to follow will be written clearly on the Black Jack table, so there will be no confusion. You win if either the dealer busts or has a total less than yours. The odds are 1:1. If the total is the same it's a draw or a push and your original wager is returned to you. A blackjack beats an ordinary 21 and is paid 3:2 odds.
