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BLACKJACK - Feature Game

Is it possible to beat the casino playing blackjack? The simple answer: Yes...if you carefully follow our information.

The cornerstone of the game of black jack is known as "basic strategy". Basic Strategy is a relatively simple system of pre-determined decisions based on the dealer's hole card and the "count" or total number value of your cards.

First, a few basics: Aces count 1 or 11. All face cards and 10 spot cards count 10. All other cards equal their respective numerical value.

Game Play: Black Jack is fast and action packed. Four to eight decks of cards are used. Once the dealer has finished shuffling the cards, a player is asked to "cut" the decks. This means the player places a blank card, or marker card, somewhere within the decks of cards, which is immediately followed by the dealer re-stacking the decks and placing another marker card somewhere towards the bottom of the pile. When this marker card comes up during game play, it signifies the end of the "shoe", which is the combination of the various decks of cards placed within a plastic card holder.

The "shoe" begins once all the players have placed a bet. Then, the dealer "burns a card", or deals the first card out, shows it to all the players, and then places it in the out of play stack. After this, the dealer hands out one card to each player and himself, immediately followed by dealing another card face up to each player and one card face down to himself. The face-down card is also known as the "hole card".

Now the all the players have the option to "hit", "stand", "split", or "double down" on their respective hands based on the dealer's up card.

Hit: If you hit, it means you take another card from the shoe. You can repeat this process as many times as you wish until your hand equals or exceeds 21. If you exceed 21, you "bust", and the dealer collects your bet and places your cards in the out of play stack.

Stand: If you stand, it means you do not want anymore cards added to your hand. You may also signify standing after the dealer has hit you, (or dealt additional cards to your hand) once you are satisfied with your count, or the numerical total of your cards.

Split: If you choose to split, it means you have a pair, or two cards with equal value. You must then place another bet equal to your first bet on the table. In most casinos, all pairs can be split except for two ten value cards, which gives you a count of 20. Aces may be split as well. In fact, according to basic strategy, one should always split Aces, because the odds are likely that you will be dealt two 10 spot cards to the pair, which will give you two hands of 21.

Double Down: You may double down on a count of 9, 10, or 11. Doubling Down means you elect to take another card and place another bet equal to your first bet on the table. The advantage to doubling down is that you can win twice the money you initially bet since hands of 9,10, or 11 with the addition of a ten value card result in a total count of 19, 20, or 21. These counts are the top 3 hands in blackjack, and they stand the best chance of beating the dealer.

If the dealer has Ace: If the dealer is showing an Ace, he or she will ask each player if they wish to take insurance, or a bet equal to half of the initial bet placed on the table. Some players like to take insurance if they feel the dealer has a ten value hole card, which would give the dealer a count of 21. In this case, those that elected to take insurance win their bet back, and those that did not choose insurance lose their bets unless they have 21 as well. If the dealer does not have 21, all insurance bets are forfeited to the casino.

What if my hand equals the dealer's? This is a push. It means that you tie the dealer, and you do not lose your bet. That way, you can save your money for another hand.

Finally, the dealer plays by pre-determined rules. The dealer stands on any count of 17 or better, and hits on any count of 16 or lower. Keeping these facts in mind will help you make the best decision when it is your turn to play.

What's basic strategy? For more on basic strategy, do a search for "black jack strategy" in your favorite search engine. You should find a wealth of resources on black jack on the internet, including more advanced skills such as card counting.