Blackjack Explained

Without a shadow of a doubt, blackjack is one of the most well-renowned card games in the casino industry, nevermind the world. An edgy, quickly played game in nature, it is a fixture in every gambling establishment. Whether it is played in a $600 a month rental apartment in the South Bronx or on the lush grounds of the Egyptian themed Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada - it provides grounds for entertainment for all. Let´s discuss and become acquainted with the rules of the game.

The main objective of Blackjack is to obtain a hand value of as close to 21 as possible. Each card has its own value, and they are valued as such - An Ace card can either count as a 1 or an 11, any card from 2 to 9 is worth as indicated, and the 10 and royalty cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are all worth 10 ¨points¨. Do not worry about suits - unlike other card games, they have no premise in Blackjack.

Let´s say you have a hand containing a 3, a 6, and a King. This hand has a value of (3+6+10) 19. Now, suppose you had an Ace, a 2, and a 7. The total handvalue could be either 10 or 20 (1+2+7) or (11+2+7). The ace is counted as either a 1 or an 11 depending on the other cards in your hand - obviously, if you had an Ace , a 6 and a 4 - you would want to count the Ace as 11 because it would amount to 21, also known as Blackjack!

In Blackjack, there are the players and the dealer (a dealer can also be a player as well.) The dealer is responsible for dealing the cards around the table to each player. Initially, each player will have two cards. In the casinos and gambling establishments, the dealer will expose one of his cards - giving away its value. The face-up or face-down decision of the card depends on the rules in particular.

Each Blackjack game presents a myriad of fates. The main decisions a Blackjack player makes throughout the course of a game is hitting or standing. ¨Hitting¨ simply means drawing another card for your hand from the pile. You hit when you need to hit as close to 21 as possible. For instance, suppose you had a King (value of 10) and a four (4) for a value of 14. Would you hit in this situation, considering there is a great possibility of the opposing player being closer to 21 with a 10 in his hand? Now, consider this scenario: you have a King and a Queen in your hand for a total value of 20 (10+10) Would you hit now? What is the likelihood of getting an Ace in the next deal? Judging from the scenario, you would ¨stand.¨ With a 20, you have a great chance of winning the game.

In stark contrast to hitting, ¨standing¨ is the complete opposite. Standing is when you decide to stick with what you have. This player decision is a lock when you possess Blackjack (a total value of 21 in your first two cards), a 20, a 19, perhaps an 18, and maybe on a 17. Hitting and standing depends on what hand value you believe the dealer and opposing players have in these first two cards. Blackjack is a complete strategical game - it allows for deal movement based on perceptions and concentration. If two players had 10´s as part of their firstly dealt cards, you would lean towards hitting. If they had a bunch of 4´s and 6´s, it is easier to exceed 21 and lose the game outright, helping you stand at an 18 comfortably or hitting for another card at 11 (hopefully, getting a Queen to hit Blackjack.) It involves outsmarting and out-thinking your competition, although solid Blackjack hands can be attributed to pure luck as well. The secret is to work with what you have, and hit and stand at the appropriate times depending on the hands of the other players and not on your own situation. Playing Blackjack is a recreational pastime for millions around the world. From Atlantic City casinos to the comfort of your dirty sofa, Blackjack is an all-universal game.