Who Is Dealt First in Blackjack?

When it comes to the game of blackjack, there are a lot of rules and procedures to follow. One of the most commonly asked questions is, “Who is dealt first in blackjack” The answer may surprise you.

In blackjack, the dealer is always dealt first. This is because the game is based on the dealer’s actions, and they need to know what cards they have before they can make any decisions. Once the dealer has been dealt their cards, they will then deal the cards to each player in a clockwise direction.

So why does the dealer get to go first It all has to do with the advantage that the house has over players.

In blackjack, players can make decisions based on their cards and what they think the dealer has. However, if both the player and the dealer bust (go over 21), then the player loses their bet regardless of what cards they had.

By having the dealer go first, it gives them an advantage because players have to make their decisions before seeing what card the dealer has face down. This increases their chances of winning because if a player busts before seeing what card the dealer has, then they lose their bet regardless of whether or not the dealer also busts.

Now that we know who is dealt first in blackjack let’s take a look at some other important rules and procedures for playing this popular casino game.

Basic Rules of Blackjack

• The goal of blackjack is to have a hand value closer to 21 than that of your opponent without going over 21.
• Cards 2-10 are worth their face value while face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points each. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points depending on what is more beneficial to the player’s hand.
• If the player or dealer’s hand equals 21 from the first two cards dealt, it is called a “blackjack” and the player wins.
• If the player’s hand exceeds 21, they “bust” and lose their bet.
• If the dealer busts and the player doesn’t, then the player wins.

Procedures for Playing Blackjack

1. Players place their bets before any cards are dealt.
2. The dealer deals two cards to each player, including themselves. One of their cards is face down (hole card) while the other is face up.
3. Players make their decisions based on their two cards and the dealer’s face-up card.

   They can choose to hit (receive another card), stand (keep current hand), double down (double their bet and receive one more card), split (separate two matching cards into separate hands), or surrender (forfeit half of their bet).

4. Once all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their hole card. If their hand value is less than 17, they must hit until they reach at least 17 points or bust.
5. The winner is determined by who has a hand value closer to 21 without going over. If both the player and dealer have equal hand values, it is called a push and no one wins or loses.

In conclusion, knowing who is dealt first in blackjack may seem like a small detail but it can greatly affect your chances of winning. By understanding this rule and following proper procedures for playing blackjack, you can increase your odds of beating the house and walking away with some extra cash in your pocket. Good luck!