The Best Ways to Play BlackjackThe Best Ways to Play Blackjack
Blackjack is a casino game in which players bet on the value of their cards. It is played with one or more decks of 52 cards, each card having a value of ten for face cards and one or 11 for an ace. The goal of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
The game is played by dealing two cards to each player and a dealer. The player can then choose to stand (stop drawing cards) or draw (request more cards). A dealer checks their down card and exposes it if they have blackjack, which is a hand of 21 with an ace that counts as a 10.
There are many ways to play blackjack. The most common strategy is to follow the basic rules and use mathematics to determine which situations are favorable or not. Then, the player can increase their bet in those favorable situations or make decisions based on information they gather as they play.
In 2003, casinos started reducing the payout for blackjacks. This move was decried by longtime blackjack players who believed that it made the game less appealing.
Basic Blackjack Strategies: Counting Cards
The most popular strategy is to count cards as they are dealt. This allows you to see when the deck is becoming fuller or smaller, which gives you an advantage over the house. You can then adjust your bet accordingly, giving you a better chance of winning against the house.
Double Down
You can increase your original bet by up to two times, if you think the dealer’s hand is likely to be weaker than your own. This can be a profitable strategy, but you must be careful not to overdo it.
Insurance Bets
A player can also place an insurance bet before the first card is dealt. This bet is of up to half the player’s current bet and pays 2 to 1.
Resplitting Cards
A good strategy in blackjack is to split your cards if they are of equal value. This is a good idea when you believe that the dealer has a low card and that your hand has a high card. You can then place another bet of the same value with your new hand.
Early Surrender
Sometimes it is advantageous to surrender half of your wager against a face or ace before the dealer checks their card for blackjack. This will prevent you from getting a total of 12 or worse, and it can help you win the game.
Hit on a Soft 17
Some players make the mistake of hitting a soft 17. If the dealer has an ace and a 6 card this can be very dangerous because you can’t draw another card and lose your entire bet.
Always Split Two 8’s
The worst hand in blackjack is a value of 16 because anything above a five will bust you. This is why many players are tempted to stand on a hard 17, but this is actually a bad move.