Blackjack is a game of chance in which players compete against the dealer. The object is to make a higher total card value than the dealer without going over 21. Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and the rest at their index value. Suits are irrelevant. A hand counting 21 on the initial two cards is called a natural or a blackjack, and is paid out at odds of 6 to 5 or 3 to 2.
Before dealing, the dealer will ask for insurance bets (up to half the original bet) from players who wish to place them. The dealer then deals each player and the dealer one card each, face up. The players then decide whether to “hit” and receive additional cards or “stand.” The player who is closer to 21 than the dealer wins, and is paid an amount equal to the initial bet. Ties are a push.
Once the players have decided to hit or stand, the dealer will reveal his or her card and determine the winner. Usually, the player with the highest value hand beats the dealer’s, but this is not always true. In some casinos, players may choose to split their initial two cards if they rank the same (for example, 10 and aces). Each new hand receives a second card and is played independently of the original hand. Doubling and re-splitting are typically restricted, however, especially after splitting aces.
Aside from basic strategy, there are several other tactics that can improve a player’s chances of winning. Many players, particularly novices, incorrectly assume that a ten-card blackjack is the best possible hand. In reality, a better hand is a split pair of fours or doubled down hands that force the dealer to bust. These hands pay out far more than a blackjack.
Another technique is to learn the basics of card counting. A simple card-counting system, which is referred to as plus-and-minus counting, involves comparing the concentration of aces and 10s in the deck with the concentration of these cards in the dealer’s hand. Players who become adept at this method of play increase their bets when the deck is favorable to them and decrease them when it is not.
Expert players also know when to double down. They will double down on a hard total of 12-16 against a dealer’s up-card that is 7 or higher, and they will always split aces and 8s against a dealer’s 7. This strategy can lower the house edge to just 0.4%, and it is far superior to the standard strategy of standing on a hand of 16 against a dealer’s up-card of 7 or higher. This strategy requires practice and mental discipline, but it can greatly improve a player’s odds of winning.
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