Blackjack Options

After the player is dealt the cards he must decide how to play the hand and what action to take. Among the options available for players are the choices to Hit or Stand, Split, and Double Down. These are the most common game options at blackjack. In addition, the player may be offered the special options such as Surrender, Insurance or Even money options. Let’s learn all the player’s options in detail.

Hit

By Hitting the player decides to take one more card. This is one of the basic options available for blackjack players after the cards dealing. The player chooses to Hit in case his hand count is very low. Usually the player is allowed to Hit as many times as he needs to raise the count of the hand as closer to 21 as possible.

Stand

This is another basic option at blackjack game. By Standing the player chooses not to take any more cards as the hand count is good enough to beat the dealer. Two Aces or two 8s are considered to be the best hand for splitting.

Split

If the player is dealt two cards of the same value the player can choose to split the hand. Thus the player has two hands that can be played differently. After Splitting the player must raise the bet twice.

Double Down

If the player is sure about his chances to beat the dealer on the next draw he can choose to Double Down. This means that the player raises the bet and receives one more card without the opportunity to Hit any more cards. At some casinos the players are allowed to Double Down only in case the specific blackjack hands while at most the casinos any hand may be doubled down.

Surrender

This option offered at some casinos allows the player to forfeit the half of his bet in case he considers his hand to be very bad to win. If the player chooses Surrender option he gets back the half of his initial bet and can’t play against the dealer. There are two types of Surrender option: Early and Late. Early Surrender allows the player to save the half of the bet before the dealer checks his hand for blackjack, while Late Surrender option allows the player to forfeit the half of the bet only after the dealer checks his hand for blackjack.

Insurance

The player is offered to buy Insurance in case the dealer’s face up card is an Ace and in fact it is the bet that the dealer will hold blackjack. This bet usually equals the half of the initial bet. In case the dealer has blackjack the players gets 2 to 1 on the Insurance bet and loses the initial bet. Otherwise, in case the dealer doesn’t have blackjack the player gets back the initial loses the Insurance bet and goes on playing the hand.

Even Money

Even Money bet is offered in case the player holds blackjack and the dealer’s face up card is an Ace. This bet equals the half of the initial bet. In case of Push (the dealer also has blackjack) the player gets back his initial bet and is paid 2 to 1 on the Even Money bet.