Does the Dealer Look at Both Cards in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a popular card game played in casinos all over the world. It is a simple game that involves drawing cards to reach a total of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. The dealer plays an important role in this game, and many players wonder whether the dealer looks at both cards in Blackjack.

To answer the question, it is essential to understand the rules of Blackjack. In most Blackjack games, the dealer deals two cards to each player and two cards to themselves. One of the dealer’s cards is face up, while the other card is face down.

The face-up card is known as the ‘upcard,’ and it plays a vital role in determining the dealer’s strategy. If the upcard is an Ace or a ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King), then the dealer checks their face-down card to see if they have Blackjack. If they do have Blackjack, then all players lose except for those who also have Blackjack.

If the upcard is not an Ace or ten-value card, then the dealer proceeds with their turn by drawing additional cards or standing (not drawing any more cards). During this process, the dealer does not look at their face-down card until all players have completed their turns.

Once all players have completed their turns, the dealer reveals their face-down card. If they have a total of 17 or higher, then they must stand. If they have a total of 16 or less, then they must draw additional cards until they reach 17 or higher.

So, to answer the question: Does the dealer look at both cards in Blackjack? Yes and no. The dealer looks at both cards but only checks their face-down card if their upcard is an Ace or ten-value card.

In conclusion, understanding how dealers play in Blackjack is crucial for players who want to improve their chances of winning. Knowing when dealers check their face-down cards and when they don’t can help players make better decisions during their turns. So, next time you sit down to play Blackjack, remember that the dealer does look at both cards, but it’s only under specific circumstances.