How Are Cards Dealt in Blackjack?

Blackjack has been one of the most popular card games for centuries. It is exciting, fast-paced, and requires both skill and luck.

If you are new to the game, you might wonder how cards are dealt in Blackjack. In this tutorial, we will explain the process step-by-step.

Before we dive into the specifics of dealing cards in Blackjack, let’s go over some basic rules of the game. The goal of Blackjack is to have a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without going over 21. Each card has a point value: numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points each, and Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points.

To start a game of Blackjack, players place their bets on the table. The dealer then shuffles the deck(s) of cards and places them in a shoe (a container used to hold multiple decks). The dealer will then ask each player to place their bets.

Once all bets have been placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each player face-up and two cards to themselves – one face-up and one face-down.

At this point, players can choose to “hit” (receive another card) or “stand” (keep their current hand). Players can continue hitting until they decide to stand or they bust (go over 21). Once all players have completed their turns, it is time for the dealer’s turn.

The dealer must follow specific rules when hitting or standing. If their hand total is 16 or less, they must hit until they reach 17 or higher.

If their hand total is 17 or higher but less than 21, they must stand. If their hand total is over 21 (busted), all remaining players win.

Now that we understand the basics of Blackjack gameplay let’s take a closer look at how cards are dealt.

To deal the cards, the dealer will start with the player to their left and move clockwise around the table. Each player will receive two cards face-up. The dealer will then deal themselves one card face-up and one card face-down (known as the “hole” card).

In some casinos, the dealer may be required to hit on a soft 17 (a hand total of 17 that includes an Ace counted as 11). In these cases, the dealer will hit until they reach a hard 17 or higher.

If a player receives an Ace and a ten-point card (10, Jack, Queen, King) on their initial two-card hand, it is called Blackjack. This is an automatic win for the player unless the dealer also has Blackjack. In this case, it is a push (tie), and no one wins or loses.

It is essential to note that there are specific rules for splitting pairs and doubling down in Blackjack that can affect how cards are dealt. If a player chooses to split their hand when they have two of the same value cards (e.g., two 8s), they will receive another card for each split hand. If they choose to double down, they will receive one additional card and double their initial bet.

In conclusion, dealing cards in Blackjack is a straightforward process that follows specific rules and procedures. Understanding these rules is essential for both players’ gameplay experience and dealers who must maintain game integrity. With this tutorial’s help, you can now confidently sit at any Blackjack table and understand how cards are dealt.