The Complete Newbie's Guide to Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games in today's casinos thanks to its easy to learn rules. While learning basic strategy can lower the house edge, the casual player won't play enough hands for it to make a difference.

Before you decide on a table, make sure you know what the table's limits are. There's usually a color-coded placard on each table listing the minimum and maximum bets.

When you sit down at the table, ask the dealer to convert your cash into chips. Each chip should be clearly marked with the dollar amount. At the beginning of the first round, the dealer will give you enough time to put down your initial bet. He or she will then deal two faceup cards to each player and one faceup and facedown card to the dealer's hand.

At this point, compare your hand to the dealer's faceup card to decide your next move. An Ace can stand for either 1 or 11. The jack, queen, and king each count for 10 points. Your ultimate goal in blackjack is to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. If you're lucky, you'll get blackjack: An ace and a face card. The round will end for you and you'll have won one and a half times your bet plus your bet. Good for you! If not, you'll now have the chance to hit, stand, double down, or, at select tables, surrender.

Hit: Get another card. Say you have an Ace and a 3 and the dealer's upcard is a jack, you should hit.

Stand: Ends the round. If you have two face cards equalling 20, stand. There's a miniscule chance an Ace will show up on the next deal.

Double Down: Double your initial bet.

Split: If you get a pair of identical cards, you'll have the chance to split the hand in two by putting down an amount equal to your initial bet.

Surrender: Surrender is only allowed at a few tables since it can lower the house edge significantly. With this choice, you can fold your hand at half the cost of your initial bet.

After the first round, the dealer will deal out cards to all players at the table who have chosen to hit, double down, or split. If you don't bust this round (hit 22 or higher), your choices will now be limited to hit or stand on each remaining round. If you do bust, you've lost the round and the dealer will collect your initial bet.

Once all players have completed their hands, the dealer will turn over his facedown card and play out his or her hand until he either stands or busts. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand, you win and will receive double your bet back. If not, you've lost. Try again.

Hand signals are an important part of blackjack. While you can say what you want to do, most casinos require you to use hand signals for the benefit of security cameras and to help ensure no mistakes in communication are made. To signify that you want to hit, tap the table once. To stand, wave your hand over the cards. To double down or split, place chips equal to your initial bet next to your first bet. Hold up one finger to signify that you're doubling or two fingers to signify that you're splitting.

The easiest way to learn is to actually get out and play the game. Dealers are often happy to share tips with you and almost every casino holds regularly scheduled free blackjack lessons. Stop by the information desk to find out times. There are also many, many sites on the web discussing basic strategy. If you find yourself playing regularly, you should check these sites out.

Extra tips: Stand on 18 or higher. Always double down on 11. Assume the dealer's face card is a face card. There's a strong chance this will be true since the 10, J, Q, and K cards equal 10. Always split two 8's. It may seem odd but you'll have a statistically higher shot of coming out even or a winner.