Blackjack is card game played with a standard 52 card
deck. Most online Blackjack games use only one deck,
which is shuffled after each hand is complete, however 6
deck Blackjack is also becoming increasingly popular
as we have noted in our Blackjack Rules.
The basic rules of blackjack is to get your card total as
close to 21 without going over 21 while beating the
dealers hand. If there is a tie then the game is considered a
push at most casinos, and no money is lost. However, some
casinos play so the house wins on a tie (which we would
recommend avoiding, as it gives the house much more of an
edge). The highest hand that you can have is a 'Blackjack',
which consists of a face card and an Ace. This hand is
unbeatable unless the dealer has also been dealt a Blackjack.
A cards value is determined by the card number, with face
cards valued at 10 and aces valued as either 1 or 11. For
example, a 7 and an Ace makes 8 or 18, two face cards makes
20, etc.
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9 + 8 = 17
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Ace + a 5 = 6 or 16
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Ace + a 5 + a Face card = 16 or 26
But we don't want 26!
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Blackjack!
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If you are content with the first 2 cards you receive you may
"stand" and not take any more cards. If you
feel that the dealer has a better hand then you, you may then
"hit" which gives you another card. You may
continue hitting until you're content with your hand value, or
you 'bust' (go over 21), After the players hands have been
dealt, the deal will flip or take his second card.
In most Casinos if the dealer has 17 or more they must
stand, and if the dealer has less than 17 the dealer must
hit. Check with each casino to see their house rules
before you drop any money on the table, some casinos will
allow the dealer to hit on a soft 17.
If your first two cards are a pair you may "split"
them if you wish. Some casinos will treat all 10 valued cards
(10, jack, queen and king) as 10's and allow them to be split,
some will only allow actual pairs to be split.
Splitting allows you to play two hands in one game by
splitting an initial two card hand into two hands. To split
you must match your current wager. The dealer will then will
then deal a card to the first hand and you may then hit, stand
or split depending on the rules of the house. When you have
completed the first hand the dealer will then deal a card to
the second hand and then you may continue as normal. If aces
are split the dealer will deal one card to each ace and no
more.
When your first two cards total 9, 10 or 11 (in most
casinos, some will allow you to double on different totals),
you have the option of doubling your original bet and
taking one, and only one hit to complete your hand.