Blackjack Basics: How to Play Blackjack

For those who are new to blackjack we offer first of all to familiarize with the blackjack basic rules and learn how to play blackjack. Blackjack is the most popular card game at land based casinos as well as at online gambling portals. All the players at blackjack game play against the dealer and the objective of the game is to end with the hand totals as close to 21 as possible but without exceeding 21. The player is considered to be the winner only in case his hand is higher than the dealer’s one. The other players’ hands do not influence the game outcome unless you count the cards at the blackjack table. The hand that goes over 21 is considered to BUST and in such case the player loses automatically.

Regularly the blackjack table seats about six players. At the standard blackjack four, six or eight decks are used at the game. At some game variations even one deck may be used but such games are not very popular with online and land based casinos.

Now let's learn how to play blackjack hand. The player places a bet before the cards dealing. Then each player at the table is dealt two face up cards. The dealer also takes two cards, one face up and one face down. Then the players can choose to stay (not to take any cards) or hit (to get more cards). Now the dealer takes action. After the players have made decisions the dealer reveals his face down card and the winnings are paid out. According to the blackjack rules, the player must draw to 16 and stand at all 17’s.

In case the player makes 21 with the first dealt cards he wins automatically. The hand consisting of an Ace and 10 or any Face card is called “natural” or “blackjack” that gave the name of the game. At standard game “blackjack” pays 3 to 2. If both the player and dealer have blackjack (or other hands with the same value) it is Push and the bets are returned.

The players who hold hands with the higher count then the dealer win 1 to 1. All the players that hold hands with the lower count lose their bets. In case the dealer’s hand is busted all the players are paid out.

Note: The blackjack rules may vary from casino to casino. At European blackjack initially the dealer is dealt one face up card and the second one is dealt only after all the gamblers played their hands. This rule is known as “European No Hole Card” rule.