Casino blackjack decks

Blackjack (or Twenty-one) is one of the oldest andmost popular casino games in the world featuring simple rules and attractive odds. The game has a house edge of only 0.5% – 2% making it the fairest game by far. But before you slap some cash on the table and bet big, you should know the complete rules of Blackjack and the recommended strategy for success.

What are the Card Values in Blackjack?

The cards in Blackjack are worth the number shown on the card, with the exception of the Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. Face cards (the Jack, Queen, and King) have a value of 10, meaning there are more 10s in the deck than any other value. An ace is valued as a 1 or 11.

Rules and Play

If the dealer’s face-up card is an ace or a 10 they’ll first check to see if they have a dealer Blackjack. If this happens, the game ends immediately and all player bets are forfeited except those who were also dealt an opening Blackjack or 21. In that latter case, your hand pushes.

If the dealer doesn’t have 21, play begins. When it is your turn, you may choose to take a “hit” for another card or stand on your existing total. You may also choose to split a pair (described below) or surrender your hand. Your choices are your own and you aren’t obligated to play to a specific strategy even if the other players don’t like what you’re doing.

Once all players have completed their turn, the dealer reveals his face-down card and deals his own turn. In a vast majority of cases, dealers always hit up to 16 and stand on all 17s or higher. Once the game is finished, the dealer pays out the winners and collects from the losers.

Common Blackjack Lingo

The following section is a breakdown of frequently used words and phrases at the Blackjack table:

The Object of the Game

The game is commonly referred to as Twenty-One because, well, you want your cards to add up to 21 points! However, your own score isn’t the only one that matters. You’re playing the game against the dealer, and you must exceed the dealer’s point total in order to win your bet. The other players at the table play independently of you, so it’s everybody against the dealer. This typically means there’s some camaraderie amongst players, and the dealer himself will often celebrate your wins or lament your losses right alongside you.

While you don’t play against the other gamblers’ hands, their actions can still influence your hand. Depending on where you sit at the table, everybody who plays before your turn may wind up taking the cards that you were hoping for. When other players operate against Blackjack’s basic strategy, it’s not uncommon for players behind them in the order to grumble about cards that should have belonged to them, but got “stolen” by someone playing contrary to the strategy that would have the highest odds of winning for their hand.

What if I Want to be the Dealer?

It can be a fun experience to be a Blackjack dealer from home or in a professional setting. There are specific rules that you need to follow as the dealer, and if you decide to pursue it professionally, you may want to look into a dealer school near you. If you enjoy it, it can be a very lucrative profession.