The Blackjack Game Explained
Blackjack, also known as 21, is one among the most enjoyable table games you can find at a casino, provided you know to play the game. On the contrary, if you are not aware of the rules of play it can be a very annoying experience. Blackjack is a game of thrill, suspense, skill and challenge in the right measure. It is also a game that has a very low house edge, a distinct advantage to the player who knows his blackjack game. It is therefore vital to learn to play the game of Blackjack correctly.
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Blackjack Table Layout
The blackjack table is shaped in the form of a half circle that has a padded edge. It can accommodate between five and seven persons. The dealer stands on the opposite side of the players seating arrangement with the card shoe and stacks of chips placed according to their denominations. The table layout consists of a betting circle for each player on the felt with a few lines describing the house rules. So you would find something like "Blackjack pays 3 to 2" written on the blackjack table.
Comparing Hand Dealt Blackjack with Shoe Dealt Blackjack
There are two types of blackjack deals. One is the hand dealt version of Blackjack while the other is the shoe dealt one. One or two decks are used in hand-held blackjack; the cards are dealt by hand by the dealer, hence the name. Another feature in this version of the blackjack game is that the cards are dealt face down. Players usually take a peek at their cards and keep them face down on the table. Hand dealt blackjack has a better house edge compared to the shoe dealt game.
Multiple decks are used in shoe dealt blackjack, usually anything between four and eight decks. A rectangular card holder placed near the dealer is known as the shoe. The cards are dealt face up but the players cannot touch them. The stakes at the blackjack tables in various casinos differ, ranging from a minimum bet of $1 to $100 depending on the casino's rules. Maximum bets can climb up to $ 5000 at some high profile casinos. As a blackjack player, you must make sure that you are aware of the minimum bet for the particular table you wish to play at. It would be highly embarrassing to find that the smallest bet at the blackjack table is your entire fund after you sit to play.
The main aim of playing blackjack is to beat the dealer and there are two ways to achieve this. You can have a higher total than the dealer, without crossing 21 or have the dealer cross 21. In both scenarios, you get paid even odds.
Understanding Card Values in Blackjack
In blackjack, the suits don't matter, what matters is the point value of the cards in your hand. The ultimate aim of blackjack is to get a total card value higher than that of the dealer, but without crossing the figure of 21, also known as going 'bust'.
In blackjack, the value of the Ace depends on the hand. It can either be counted as 1 or 11depending on the advantage to the player. A hand consisting of an ace is known as a "soft hand". In this case the ace will be counted as 1 so that the player never goes bust, which is an advantage for him.
The King, Queen and Jack, all count for 10 points each. The other cards will be counted at their numerical value. For example, the 4 of clubs will be counted as 4 points.
The cards worth 10 points are the most significant cards in blackjack. There are a total of 16 cards in a deck of 52 cards that are worth 10 points. If a player is dealt an Ace and another card like, say the Queen of hearts, going by the above mentioned rule, he has a blackjack. A normal total of 21 or a blackjack pays out 3:2, thus affecting the player edge.
The 5's are also important deciding factors in a game of blackjack. The 5 point card value is the least beneficial to the player as the hand with a 5 in it is considered a "stiff hand" - very easy to go bust. If the four 5s are taken away from the deck of cards, the house advantage turns immediately in the favor of the player. Card counting in blackjack relies on both, the 5 point cards and the 10 point cards.
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