How to Play Blackjack

• by J.M. Brown

Introduction

• Blackjack, also called 21, is a blend of skill and luck. To skillfully play and win consistently, you have to learn basic strategies in addition to the rules of the game. The outcome of a blackjack game depends on your ability to strategize and anticipate the dealer's moves. The good news—blackjack is easy to learn, and there are guidelines that can increase your chances of winning.

• Read on to learn all you need to know to play blackjack, and most importantly, how to win.

Lesson 1: Blackjack Basics

• In blackjack, the object of the game is to beat the dealer by getting a higher score without going over 21. This might sound straightforward, but before you start playing you need to learn the basics.

Players

• Most blackjack tables allow up to seven players. Blackjack is played against the dealer, however, so the number of players shouldn't affect your strategy.

Cards

• Blackjack uses one to eight decks of 52 cards each. Each card represents a value, which contributes to the total score of your hand.

1. Face Cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) are worth 10.
2. Aces are worth 11 or one depending on how you choose to use it in your hand.
3. Numbered cards (any card, which is not a face card or ace) are worth the numerical value indicated on the card (2-10).
   • For example: a Four of Clubs has a value of four, a Seven of Diamonds has a value of seven, etc.,
   • The suit or color of any card does not matter.

Blackjack Terms

• Here are a few terms every blackjack player should know.
• Bet: The amount of money you wager during a hand of blackjack.
• Bust: Card score for either a player or the dealer exceeds 21.
• Cash In (Cash Out): Getting chips with your money, or turning in your chips for cash.
• Chips: Tokens used to represent different amounts of money.
• Cut: The dealer lets one of the players divide the deck in half (at almost any point) then the halves are put back together with the mid-position on top.
• Deal: The dealer gives you two cards at the start of every game. The dealer also gives herself two cards, one of which is visible as players' cards are dealt.
• Hand: The cards you are dealt.
• Hole Card: The dealer's face down card, also called in the hole.
• House: The casino.
• Push: Player and dealer receive the same card score. No one wins.
• Insurance: The dealer offers insurance to the players if her up card is an Ace. Insurance pays out if the dealer draws a Blackjack.
• Shoe: Deck (or decks) of cards, which sits to the left of the dealer.
• Shuffle: To mix up the cards.
• Up Card: The dealer's card that remains face-up throughout the game. The up card influences your strategy.

Hands

• Soft Hand: Any hand that contains an ace valued at 11.
• Hard Hand: Any hand not containing an ace with a value of 11.
• Blackjack: Also known as a natural, a two-card hand that totals 21. It is the highest hand and counts as an automatic win.
  • Three or more cards equaling 21 will not beat a Blackjack. After all, Blackjack is the name of the game.

Moves

• Hit: Request another card, in addition to the first two you were dealt.

• Stand: Stay with the cards you have and end your turn.

• Doubling Down: Doubling the bet. You will automatically receive one more card and only one more card. You can only double as your first move.

• Splitting: Making two separate hands from two cards of the same value. An additional bet equal to the first bet is required for the second hand. Each new hand is played normally.

• Surrender: Surrender is not widely used and is not always allowed. Surrender means you quit and take back half your money. If you don't think you have a chance of winning, you may think surrendering a better option. If it's allowed, there are two ways to surrender:
  • Early surrender: Quit on your two-card hand, if you don't like the dealer's up card (the first card the dealer receives).
  • Late surrender: Wait until the dealer flips over her hole card (the second card the dealer gives herself); if she doesn't have Blackjack you can quit.

Payoff

• Once everyone stands (or busts) your hand will be compared to the dealer's.

1. A Blackjack usually wins a 3:2 payoff of the initial bet.
2. A higher score than the dealer, with any card combination except Blackjack, wins a 1:1 payoff of the initial bet.
   • If the dealer has the highest score, you lose your bet.
3. If the dealer scores 22 or higher, you win a 1:1 payoff of the initial bet.
4. If you score 22 or higher, you lose your bet.
5. If you and the dealer tie, you get to keep your bet.

House Rules

• In Blackjack, the dealer also must follow rules, which are:

1. When all players stand, the dealer must reveal both cards.
2. If the total is 16 or lower the dealer must hit.
   • If the dealer goes over 21 while taking hits, she busts and automatically loses.
     • That means that if a dealer busts, you (and any other players still in the game) win!
3. If the dealer's hand is between 17 and 21, the dealer must stand.
   • Some casinos may require the dealer to hit on a soft 17 (meaning one of the cards is an ace).

• Dealers do not make any decisions in blackjack—they just follow house rules. Therefore, by learning house rules, you can anticipate what the dealer will do.

Lesson 2: How to Play Blackjack

• Before addressing strategy in the next section, here are the basics of the game:

1. Choose the blackjack table where you want to play.
   • If you're in a casino, make sure you've exchanged your money for chips at the casino's cage before you get to the table.
   • Note the minimum and maximum bets.
   • Make sure the rules are standard.
2. Sit at an open seat.
3. Place your bet in the circle in front of you.
4. Dealer shuffles the cards.
5. Dealer deals everyone two cards.
   1. Cards are dealt from left to right.
   2. Players are usually dealt cards face up. If you are dealt cards face down you are allowed to turn them over and hold them with one hand. Do not bend the cards to see what they are; turn them over fully and hold them!
   3. If your cards are face up, don't touch!
      • Everyone will be able to see your cards, but remember other players do not matter.
   4. The dealer will also be dealt two cards.
      • One card face up.
6. Look at your cards.
   • Add up the total value of the cards.
     • This also means if you draw an ace, now is the time to decide if the value is 11 or one (in your head!)
7. Look at the dealer's card.
8. Here's where you use strategy. Determine if you want to
   1. Hit
   2. Stand
   3. Split
   4. Double
9. Once you and the other players decide to stand, it is the dealer's turn.
   1. The dealer will flip over her second card.
   2. The dealer determines her next move according to house rules.

Lesson 3 : How to Win Blackjack

• Now that you know the basics, if you want a chance to beat the house you need to learn basic strategy.

• Because winning blackjack requires the player to skillfully play her hand, basic blackjack strategies have been developed based on mathematical probability. 10-value cards make up a higher percentage in the deck than any other card value and because of this, basic strategy assumes the next card drawn will be a ten. A player uses basic strategy as a guide for the correct way to play every possible hand to minimize house advantage.

What Affects Your Strategy

• There are three aspects during a blackjack game, which should influence your strategy.

1. Your hand.
2. The dealer's up card.
   • Always assume the dealer has 10 in the hole.
3. House Rules.
   • Based on the dealer's up card, house rules help you anticipate whether the dealer will bust, or get a good hand.

Hard and Soft Hands

• Depending on whether you have a hard hand (no aces), or soft (one that contains an ace, which can vary in value), you may choose a hit (asking the dealer for another card, or to stand (stay with the two cards you originally received.

1. When playing a hard hand with a value of 11 or less, hit.
2. When playing a hard hand with a value between 12 and 16:
   1. Hit when the dealer shows two and three.
   2. Stand when the dealer shows four, five and six.
   3. Hit when the dealer shows seven, eight, nine, ten and ace.
3. When playing a hard hand with a value of 17 or greater, stand.
4. If you have soft 19 or higher, stand.

How to Play Pairs

• When your hand consists of two cards with the same value, you can split. Splitting a pair can give you a better chance at winning.
  • For example, if you have two Aces, splitting increases your chance of drawing a blackjack. Think about it, with two aces in one hand your total score so far is 2, but if you split your aces you will have two hands with the value of 11 and the opportunity of drawing a 10-value card for each hard. This gives you a better shot at beating the dealer in at least one of your hands.

• Always split:
  • Aces
  • Eights

• Never split:
  • Tens (Jacks, Queens, Kings)
  • Fives

Double Down Strategy

1. Double down on 11:
   1. Against all cards in a single deck game, or in a multiple deck game when the dealer will take a hit with a soft 17.
   2. Against all cards but the Ace in a multiple deck game when the dealer will stand with a soft 17.
2. Double down on 10 against two through nine.
3. Double down on nine against three through six.

Dealer Bust Cards

• Remember no matter what your hand is, the way you play often depends on the dealer's up card. When the dealer's up card is a bust card, one of your best strategies is to stand and hope the dealer busts.

• Dealer bust cards refer to cards that commonly cause the dealer to bust: cards displaying two, three, four, five and six.

1. When the dealer has one of these cards, assume the dealer is holding a ten-value card, which would make the dealer's hand total 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16.
2. Because these totals are all lower than 17 the dealer must hit (house rules!).

When to Use Insurance

• Because insurance has a high house advantage, it's usually not a recommended strategy.

1. If the dealer's up card is an ace, she will ask you if you want insurance.
2. The dealer checks to see if she has blackjack.
   1. If she has a 10-value card then your insurance bet is paid out at 2:1 odds.
3. If the dealer does not have blackjack:
   1. You lose your insurance bet.
   2. You continue to play out the initial bet.

Strategy in Action

• To see if you're ready to play with the big boys, let's play a couple hands. See if you know what your decision should be, based on the dealer's up card and your hand:
• Hand One
  • Dealer's up card: 7
  • Your hand: 8, 8
  • Decision: Split pairs
  • Why?

1. By separating the eights, instead of a 16-value hand, you now have a chance at two 18-value hands.
   • This raises your chance of beating the dealer.
2. You are also basing your decision on the dealer's up card.
   1. Because the up card is 7, it is possible the dealer will draw a 10-value card and be forced to stand.
   2. Therefore, if you were to stand at 16 you would lose and if you hit at 16 you have a greater chance of busting.

• Hand Two
  • Dealer's up card: 10
  • Your hand: 5, K
  • Decision: Hit
  • Why? The dealer's up card is a 10 and because you are to assume she has a 10 in the hole, you assume the dealer's score is 20. To have a chance at winning, you need to hit.

• For more practice:

1. Play free blackjack games online, like Hit or Stand.
   • This game grades you based on every correct move you make (instead of judging based on if you win). If you make an incorrect move, a box pops up telling you what you should have done.
     • This is a great way to learn strategy.
2. Play with your friends.

Lesson 4: Card Counting

• Card counting is not a necessary skill for winning blackjack, but does provide a slight advantage. Card counting is a betting strategy, which if executed properly will help you figure out when to increase your bets.
  • A card counting system is used to calculate the ratio of high value cards to low value cards.
  • When the number of high value cards exceeds the amount of low value cards, you know it is a good time to increase your bet.

Card Counting System

• Blackjack has many card counting techniques, but every card counting method keeps a running count. The running count tracks the high to low card ratio. When the running count is high you increase your bets, when the running count is low you bet the minimum.
• Here is a basic card counting method:

1. Assign values to each card in the deck
   • -1: ten, queen, king, jack
   • zero: seven, eight, nine
   • +1: two, three, four, five, six
2. When the deck is fresh, start your running count at zero.
   • You should bet the minimum.
3. Observe which cards are played and add the card counting values.
4. The running count will fluctuate between negative and positive totals.
5. If the dealer uses multiple decks, you need to convert the running count into the true count.
   • To get the true count, divide the running count by the number of decks left in the shoe.
   • So, if your running count is +8 and the number of decks is two, the true count equals +4.
6. Bet the minimum when the true count drops below zero.
7. Bet big or double down when the true count is high, at least +4.

• Once you're satisfied with your abilities, it's time to play for real. Choose an online or casino game you'll be comfortable playing.

Lesson 5: Blackjack in the Casino

• If you decide to play blackjack at a casino, here's what you need to know.

Blackjack Table

• Before you sit down at a blackjack table, you should know the table setup.

1. The blackjack table, a semi-circle, consists of five to seven betting spots along the arc of the table.
2. A dealer represents the house behind the table.
3. The first seat to the left of the dealer is called first base and the first seat to the right is called third base.
   • Third base is the last chair to receive a card.
4. In front of the dealer is the chip tray.
5. On the dealer's left is the card deck (or decks).
6. Next to the deck is the minimum bet and maximum bet sign.
7. On the dealer's right is the drop slot, where all cash and chips are deposited.
8. Next to the drop slot is the discard tray.
   • After the dealer shuffles the cards he will "burn" or throw away at least one card to ensure randomness.
     • The card goes in the discard tray.

How to Bet

1. Each table has set table limits; before you bet, take a look at the minimum and maximum bets allowed for each table.
2. Place chips or money into the betting box.
   1. Stack chips from highest monetary value on bottom to lowest monetary value on top.
   2. When doubling your bet, never stack new chips on top of your initial bet. Stacking new chips on top of previous chips may look like cheating.
      • Start a new stack next to the initial bet.

Hand Signals

• Hand signals are also an easier way to communicate in loud casinos. Here's what to do:

1. Hit:
   • Brush or tap the table with your index and middle fingers.
     • Howstuffworks describes this hand signal as an "upside-down "come here" motion."
2. Stand:
   • With your hand palm down and a few inches above the cards, wave it from side to side.
     • Or, for cards dealt face down, tuck your cards under your bet.
3. Splitting:
   • Put down your additional wager, point at your cards, and say, "split."
4. Double Down:
   • This means you double your first bet after seeing your first cards. You'll be dealt just one more card after doubling down.
   • To double down, stack your additional chips, equal to your first wager, next to your cards. Point to them and say "double."

Lesson 6: Blackjack Online

• If you want to skip the casino, but still wish to gamble, hundreds of online blackjack casinos are available. Online blackjack provides endless entertainment and you don't even have to leave the house.

• Online blackjack can be played for real money or just for fun. Just make sure the casino is legit. There are many sites that that online players have had trouble with. Be cautious and you'll reduce the odds of having a bad experience.

1. • Casinos with licenses from the following countries are considered more trustworthy:
     • Antigua
     • Australia
     • Barbados
     • Costa Rica
     • Cyprus
     • Gibraltar
     • Kahnawake
     • Netherlands Antilles
     • United Kingdom
   • Many forums counsel online players to avoid casinos with licenses from Eastern Europe.
2. Some considerations when choosing an online casino:
   • Is there an email address?
   • What about a fax number?
   • Is there a phone number that someone answers?
   • What are you charged for each transaction?
   • 24/7 customer support is also a plus.
   • What software is the site using?
3. If you think an online casino is iffy for any reason, don't provide personal information like credit card numbers. Find a different site.

• Try searching Casino City to find good online places to play, like:
  • BlackJack.com: United Kingdom jurisdiction.
  • Blackjack Ballroom: Kahnawake jurisdiction; offers $500 and an hour to win as much as you can.

• Once you pick the right site for you, follow directions to download the casino and start playing!

Conclusion

• Congratulations, Ace! You're ready to hit the tables. Have fun and bet responsibly!

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Resources for How To Play Blackjack

• • Mahalo's guide to Blackjack
• About.com: The Glossary of Las Vegas Terms  
• About.com: How To Play Blackjack Hard Hands  
• About.com: Blackjack Card Counting  
• About.com: The Hi Lo Method  
• About.com: Blackjack Basic Strategy  
• About.com: Bad Blackjack  
• About.com: Multi-Deck Basic Strategy  
• Blackjack Guide: Blackjack rules | Card Counting
• Casino City Online: United States Gambling Regulations
• Casino City Times: Even Money and Insurance Are the Same Bet (April 18, 2008)
• Casino City Times: At Blackjack, Splitting Pairs Is Rarely Splitting Hairs (May 24, 2004)
• Casino City Times: Do Online Casinos Pay? (September 15, 2002)
• Casino City Times: The Blackjack Dealer Never Really Has a Bust Card Up (January 11, 2008)
• Casino City Times: Mark Pilarski Gambling Advice (January 13, 2006)
• Casino City Times: Basic Strategy Blackjack Has Its Exceptions (February 22, 2008)
• Casino City Times: Dealers do bust, really, with a little help from you (April 28, 2003)
• Casino Guide: Basic rules of Blackjack
• eHow: How to Employ Very Basic Strategy for Blackjack Beginners
• GovTrack.us: H.R. 4411 (109th): Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act
• Howstuffworks: Blackjack
• Howstuffworks: How to Play Blackjack
• New York Times: A Strategy Up Their Sleeves (December 30, 2007)
• NYT (Bits): Congress to Take Testimony on Internet Gambling Ban (April 1, 2008)
• Online Blackjack Strategy: How To Play Blackjack
• Online Blackjack Strategy: Switch Blackjack Strategy
• Quamut: Blackjack
• TechDirt: Will Nevada Throw Online Poker Players In Jail? (February 13, 2006)
• Vegas Tripping: Blackjack: Card Counting: Cards
• WashingtonVotes.org: 2006 Senate Bill 6613 (Banning internet gambling)
• Wikipedia: Blackjack | Legality of Online Gambling
• The Wizard of Odds: How to Play Blackjack | Blackjack Card Counting
• YouTube: Learn How to Play Blackjack

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