Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. The object of the game is to draw cards with a value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Unlike many other casino games, in blackjack players do not play against each other; rather they are pitted against the dealer. In order to win a hand, the player must beat the dealer.
Each player is dealt two cards, face up. The dealer is also given two cards, but his or hers are face down. The players then work out the value of their hand, as well as that of the dealer’s. They then decide whether to stand, hit, split, or double down. They must always be mindful of the fact that a total of over 21 will result in a bust.
Once all of the players have made their decisions, the dealer will reveal his or her hole card. If the card is a ten, the dealer has a blackjack and wins everyone’s original wager. The dealer will then pay off any insurance bets. If the dealer does not have a ten, the original bets remain in play and all players’ blackjacks will get paid at 3:2 (unless the player took even money).
The remaining cards are then reshuffled. In some casinos, this is done after every hand; in others, it is done after every five hands or whatever other number the table has agreed upon. Keeping track of the cards that are played allows the players to make better decisions and reduce the house advantage. This is known as basic strategy, and it is based on millions of hands played.
Before the players start to play, they can place an insurance bet against the dealer’s up card. The dealer will ask each player to place their bets on a special “insurance bar.” The bet is usually half the player’s current wager. If the dealer has a blackjack, the bet pays 2 to 1. The dealer will not look at the hole card until all of the players have completed their plays.
Blackjack is played on a semicircular table and can seat up to seven players (or seven “spots”). There are variations of the game that use fewer or more spots. In addition to the basic rules, some tables have features that may be beneficial to certain types of players.
Some casinos have introduced early surrender; the ability to forfeit half of a bet against a dealer’s blackjack before the dealer checks for it. This can be a good way to avoid losing a big bet if the player is highly unlikely to win.
Some casinos have reduced the payout on a blackjack to 6:5; this is to prevent players from counting cards and gaining an edge over the dealer. This change has been decried by longtime blackjack players. Other casinos have prohibited doubling after splitting and restrict the pairs that can be split. However, there are still some casinos that allow this and encourage players to double down after splitting if the dealer shows an ace.