In order to understand how blackjack works in casinos, it is important to first understand the basics of the game. Blackjack is a card game that is played between a dealer and one or more players.
The object of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand by having a higher point total than the dealer without exceeding 21. The player or players with the highest point total at the end of the game wins.
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Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value. Kings, queens and jacks are each worth 10 points.
An ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what is most advantageous for the player’s hand. The suits of the cards (hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs) have no bearing on the game.
The value of each player’s hand is determined by adding up the point values of their individual cards. If a player’s first two cards equal 21 (an ace and a 10-value card), this is called a blackjack and the player automatically wins unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case it’s a push (a tie).
If a player exceeds 21 (is “busted” or “broken”), he loses even if the dealer subsequently busts as well.
If neither the player nor dealer has a blackjack, play proceeds as follows: The player must decide whether to “stand” (keep his cards and finish his turn), “hit” (take another card from the deck), “double down” (double his bet and take one more card) or “split” (if he has two cards of equal value, he can separate them into two hands). After all players have finished taking their turns, it is then up to the dealer to play his hand.
The dealer must follow specific rules when playing his hand: He must hit if his point total is 16 or less and he must stand if his point total is 17 or more. If the dealer has an ace showing, he will offer what is called “insurance” to any player who has a blackjack; this side bet pays 2-to-1 if indeed the dealer has a blackjack but loses if not.
If neither player nor dealer has a blackjack, any insurance bets are void and play continues normally. Finally, if both player and dealer have blackjacks, it is considered a push (tie) and nobody wins or loses except any players who had placed an insurance bet; these bets are collected by the house.
Now that you know how blackjack works in casinos using basic rules, you may be wondering about some of the finer points of casino etiquette surrounding this popular table game. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
When being dealt your cards, hold them in your hand so that only you can see them; do not expose them to anyone else at the table. Likewise, do not look at other players’ cards when they are being dealt. Once all players have been dealt their initial two cards, it is then permissible for players to look at their own cards and share information about their hands with other players at the table (e.g.
, “I have 19”). However, players are not allowed to touch other players’ chips or cards under any circumstances.
If you are playing in a hand-held game where you hold your cards face down in your lap until it is your turn to act on them, do not pick up your cards until it is your turn; instead just peek at them so that you know what you have without exposing them to other players or the dealer. When it is your turn to act on your hand, slide your chips into your betting circle and then pick up your cards to reveal your decision to hit, stand, double down or split (depending on what they are).
Once all players have made their decisions on their hands, it is then time for the dealer to reveal his hole card and act on his own hand according to pre-determined house rules. Players’ chips remain in their betting circles until all hands have been completed and winning bets have been paid out; losing bets are then collected by the house.
In summary, blackjack works in casinos by pitting one or more players against a dealer in an effort to get closer to 21 points than the dealer without going over 21 points (“busting”). Players make decisions on their own hands according to pre-determined rules while trying to read both their own cards as well as those of other players and dealers at the table; this information sharing among players is part of what makes blackjack such an interesting and challenging game.
Casino etiquette dictates that players protect their own hands as well as those belonging to other players by keeping them visible only to themselves and handling chips and cards with care so as not damage them or disrupt gameplay for others. With these guidelines in mind, go forth and enjoy some casino blackjack!.
