Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular card game played in casinos around the world. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21.
One of the most common questions that new players ask is how many cards they pick up with a blackjack. In this article, we will answer that question and explain how the game works.
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Firstly, it’s important to understand the value of each card in blackjack. Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, while face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth 10 points each.
The Ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points depending on what would be more beneficial for the player’s hand. A hand with an Ace and any other card worth 10 points is called a “blackjack” or a “natural” and is an automatic winner (unless the dealer also has a blackjack).
Now back to the original question – how many cards do you pick up with a blackjack? Well, it depends on what cards you have been dealt and how you choose to play them. Let’s go through some different scenarios:
Scenario 1 – You are dealt an Ace and a card worth 10 points:
Congratulations! You have been dealt a blackjack! In this scenario, you will not pick up any additional cards as you already have a winning hand.
Scenario 2 – You are dealt two cards that do not add up to 21:
In this scenario, you will need to decide whether to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep your current hand). If you choose to hit and your third card brings your total over 21, then you “bust” and lose the game automatically. If you choose to stand, then it’s time for the dealer to reveal their hand.
Scenario 3 – You are dealt an Ace and another card:
In this scenario, you will need to decide whether to count the Ace as 1 or 11 points. For example, if you are dealt an Ace and a 6, you could count the Ace as either 1 or 11 points, depending on what would be more beneficial for your hand.
If you choose to hit and your third card brings your total over 21, then you bust and lose the game automatically.
Scenario 4 – You are dealt two cards of the same value:
In this scenario, you have the option to “split” your hand into two separate hands. Each of these hands will be dealt an additional card (one per hand) and played separately.
This can be a good strategy if both cards are worth 10 points (e.g. two Jacks), as it gives you a better chance of getting a blackjack.
Scenario 5 – You are dealt three or more cards:
In this scenario, you will need to add up the value of your cards and decide whether to hit or stand based on what would be most beneficial for your hand. Remember that if your total goes over 21, then you bust and lose automatically.
So there you have it – the answer to how many cards do you pick up with a blackjack is “it depends”. The number of cards that you pick up will depend on what cards have been dealt to you and how you choose to play them. However, if luck is on your side and you get dealt a blackjack right off the bat, then congratulations – sit back and enjoy your win!
