BLACKJACK

The famous casino game, played in every gambling establishment worldwide. The object of the game is, using playing cards, to reach 21 without exceeding it. In certain casinos (notably in Nevada), Blackjack is known as '21'.

It does have the best player odds in the casino, meaning that you're more likely to win at blackjack than any other game - though the winnings can be smaller!

Don't forget to check that the table is a blackjack one before joining it, of course! Many players have sat at a roulette or craps table ready to play blackjack!

Often on the beginners' tables, the players' cards will be dealt face-up, and the dealer will be glad to help with any questions you might have. However, the fewer decks in play, the more advantage you will have over the casino, so you'll have to decide based upon that, as well.

1: Place your bet
The casino table should have a slot in which to place your chips. You did buy some chips, right? Always put the larger denomination chips in at the bottom, with the smaller value chips towards the top, but don't touch them once the cards are dealt - this could result in you losing the chips, as it is usually a house rule to avoid cheating.

If you need to know how much you've bet for whatever reason, ask the dealer and he or she will count them out for you, and at the end of the game the dealer will collect lost chips and hand out winnings. Move your winnings off the table before placing your next bet, or to let the bet ride form the two or more stacks into one.

If you need your chips changed down into larger denominations (who really needs one hundred $5 pieces when you've just won $250? Change it for 5 $50s, or whichever you prefer); simply put them on the table between the betting boxes, and the dealer will ask if you want chips or cash.

2: The cards
Blackjack is played with standard decks of 52 cards, valued as follows:
An ace is worth either one or eleven, depending on which results in the best hand for you (which will be explained below).

Number cards 2-10 are valued at their numerical value. 2 is worth 2 and 10 worth 10, for instance.

Jack, queen and king are also worth 10 each.
Suits have no relevance to the game, all that matters is the sum of the cards. Remember that the aim of the game is to reach 21.

Returning to Aces, they will have either the value one or eleven, depending on what other cards you have in your hand - the ace is always assumed to produce the best hand possible.

If you are dealt a seven and an ace, for instance, it could be eight or eighteen. This is known as a 'soft' eighteen, as the ace is used either way, meaning that any card can be added without exceeding 21 - you cannot lose by drawing another card. If you then ask for one, and receive a five, the ace will only count as a one, giving you a total of 7+5+1 = 13. This is a 'hard' thirteen, as the ace is forced into counting as one.

3. Playing the game
The dealer will deal each player two cards, one at a time going anticlockwise from his left, and ending with himself. He'll flip one of his over, revealing its value.
If you're at a beginner's table ("shoe table"), your cards will be dealt face-up as well. Everyone can see everyone else's cards, and no-one but the dealer will be allowed to touch them. If you're at a normal table, remember the following rules:
-You're only allowed to pick up the cards with one hand, except cards dealt after the initial two. These can not be touched.
-You have to keep the cards over the table.
Now, starting on the left of the dealer, play begins! Each player must decide what he wants to do with his cards, before the dealer himself plays.

Getting Blackjack:
Blackjack occurs when the player gets both an Ace and another card with a value of ten, so Ten, Jack, Queen or King. These have to be the first two cards dealt, so your initial hand. The chance of getting blackjack is about 1 in 21, but when you do it's your chance to sit back and look smug. Usually the dealer will just pay you as soon as it's your turn, though if he has a ten-card or an ace as his one showing card, sometimes he'll wait to make sure it's not a draw.

Playing a game without a blackjack:
If nobody on the board has a blackjack, nobody's won straight away - this is where the game becomes tactical. One thing you will know is what the dealer can have:

The dealer will usually have to stick on seventeen. In other words, if he gets seventeen or higher without exceeding 21, he has to stick on that. The dealer will always stop on 17,18,19,20 or 21, but cannot stop any lower than 17. This means that should a dealer be dealt a 10 and a 6, he has to take a card, whether it takes him to a total or it 'busts' him (goes over 21).

1. Surrender the hand, losing half your bet. This is not often advisable, depending on yours and the dealer’s cards. Not every table allows you to surrender, and even those that do usually only allow it at the very beginning, on your turn, but after the dealer has checked for Blackjack (in which case you lose anyway). Really not usually worth it.

2. Hitting. When you 'hit', you take another card from the dealer, to add to your total. If you're playing a "shoe game" (where the cards are face-up), you should simply tap the table with a finger. In the alternative face-down game, scrape your cards (still held in one hand) along the felt surface of the table. When the cards are dealt, whichever type of game you're playing, leave them there. Should you 'bust' (go over 21), leave all the cards down or place them down face-up and the dealer will collect your chips.

It is usually advisable to keep hitting until you reach at least 17, or if the dealer's visible card is 7+ then more, as 1 in 3 of the cards is worth 10, bringing his hand to 17+.

3.Standing. "Standing" occurs when you have a hand you're happy with, be it 21 or lower. In the "shoe game", wave your hand over the cards, and in the normal game tuck the cards in your hand face-down underneath your bet.

4.Doubling down. This is a daring move, made when you think one card could win it after the initial two. Advisable usually when your initial hand is ten or eleven, since one card is likely to take you to ten or eleven. When Doubling Down, you add to your bet, with a maximum of doubling it. Although this can potentially double your winnings, it obviously depends on you winning first! Even with a good hand, if the dealer has a dangerous card - a ten-card or an ace - visible, it's probably best not to double down. To double down, put your cards on the table face-up and place your added bet next to the original on the table.

5. Splitting. You can "split pairs" when you have two matching cards, ignoring suits. You split the two into separate hands to be played independently of one another. The method is the same as for doubling down, only you must double your bet when splitting. Many casinos will allow you to double down on one of the hands as well, once the hand is split. Should you get another pair, it is possible to split again - however most casinos have a limit on the number of times you can split a hand, lest you end up putting down many times your original stake. Since the cards can be split as long as they have an equal value, you can split different ten-valued cards, but it's usually better just to keep the 20.

Aces are a bit different, as just an ace is a dangerous hand, so often you are only allowed one extra card on each ace. Should one of these be a picture card or ten, this is not blackjack, merely 21. A pair of aces should always be split, as it gives you two ideal chances to get to 21.

6. Insurance. This occurs when the dealer turns over his first card and has an ace. In this case, he will sometimes offer an 'insurance bet', allowing you to bet up to half your original stake in case he gets blackjack. Should he get it, the insurance bet is paid back at a 2:1 ratio, meaning that if you'd bet the full half your original bet, you break even.

There is a 1 in 3 chance that the card that is 'in the hole' (held by the dealer) has a value of ten, so it can often be worth it either way.
Some players would say that it is not worth playing an insurance bet if you have blackjack, but in this case you can make profit in both eventualities, rather than simply breaking even should it be a tie:

Example 1: You have blackjack, play insurance of 50% and dealer has blackjack, you get your insurance bet of your original stake, plus the 50% you left down, net profit of 50%.

Example 2: You have blackjack, dealer doesn't, pay insurance of 50%, you collect 3 times the half left on your bet, net profit of 50%.
However, it is possible to win more by playing the blackjack alone, so there is really no right answer. If you are playing with the cards up, you can tell how many tens are left in the deck, and can intelligently guess whether the next card is likely to be one, but it really is down to the player.

Blackjack strategies
Your basic strategy will depend on the dealer's card, since you know what can be beaten with what.

First things first, two pairs should always be split. These are: Ace/Ace and 8/8. The double-ace gives you the best chance of getting 21, and the double-eight because 16 is the worst hand to start from in the game.

Three pairs should never be split. These are: 4/4, 5/5 and 10card/10 card, since each gives you an excellent start or, in the latter case, a hand to stick on.
Here's a table of strategy, which will give you the best odds on any given hand:
 

Dealer's first card:	HIT TO AND/OR STAND WITH:	Split your cards on:	Double down on:
A	17 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 19	A/A OR 8/8	NEVER
2	13 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 10 or 11
3	13 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 9, 10 or 11
4	13 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 2/2, 3/3, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 9, 10 or 11
5	13 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 2/2, 3/3, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 9, 10 or 11
6	13 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 2/2, 3/3, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 9, 10 or 11
7	17 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 2/2, 3/3, 7/7, 8/8	TOTAL 10 or 11
8	17 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 18	A/A, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 10 or 11
9	17 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 19	A/A, 8/8, 9/9	TOTAL 10 or 11
10/J/Q/K	17 unless with a 'soft' Ace then 19	A/A OR 8/8	TOTAL 11 ONLY

This chart should be helpful to learn for all players, since it gives you a good idea of when to play certain moves to give you the best chances of coming out on top. I would advise all players of blackjack to learn it, or at least some of it, before going out to play for serious money.