What Does a Free Bet Mean at a Blackjack Table?

When you sit down at a blackjack table, the first thing you need to do is exchange your regular currency for chips. These chips are what you will use to place your bets.

You can usually purchase chips at the cashier’s cage or at the table itself. Once you have your chips, you are ready to start playing.

When you make a bet in blackjack, you are essentially wagering that you will beat the dealer’s hand. The amount of your bet is up to you, but it must be at least the minimum bet for that particular table.

Once all players have made their bets, the dealer will deal the cards.

The objective of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over (busting). Face cards are worth 10, aces are worth 1 or 11 (your choice), and all other cards are worth their face value.

The dealer will deal two cards to each player and two to himself (one face up, one face down).

If your first two cards total 21 (an ace and a 10-valued card), you have a blackjack and will be paid 3-2 on your bet. If the dealer also has a blackjack, it is a push (a tie) and your bet is returned.

If you do not have a blackjack, you can choose to “hit” and receive additional cards until you either bust or decide to “stand” with the hand you have. If the dealer busts, all remaining players who have not already busted will win their bets.

If you bust, you automatically lose your bet.

Once all players have either busted or stood, it is time for the dealer to play his hand. The dealer must hit if his hand totals 16 or less and must stand if his hand totals 17 or more.

If the dealer busts, all remaining players who have not already busted will win their bets. If the dealer does not bust, then whoever has the hand closest to 21 will win their bet (ties goes to the dealer).

A free bet in blackjack is simply a side bet that allows you to wager on whether or not the dealer has a blackjack before any cards are dealt. If the dealer does indeed have a blackjack, then you will lose your original bet but will be paid 2-1 on your free bet.

If the dealer does not have a blackjack, then you will keep your original bet and your free bet will be void.