Blackjack - The Rules of the Game

Blackjack has the following set of rules that must be observed strictly by both dealer and players. Many game strategies of blackjack have been developed basing on the following game rules:

In blackjack, all the face cards such as Jacks, Queens, and Kings have the value of ten each. The Aces can have the value of one or 11 depending on what is more beneficial to the player in certain blackjack game situation.

Players are allowed to draw additional cards up to nine cards in all, making a blackjack hand consisting of 11 cards. The total value of all 11 cards in hand must not be more than 21. In instances that you have already received all 11 cards and your total value is less than 21, you stand automatically because there will be no more additional cards for you, then it's time for the dealer's hand.

The blackjack dealer will automatically stands on every hand that has a total value of 17 and on the total value of 16, the dealer will draw. In circumstances that your hand and the dealer's hand is tie, it is known as Push and your original bet will be returned to you.

If both your hand and the dealer's hand have Blackjack, it is also called a Push and your original bet is paid back to you. In case you decided to split or double down and then the dealer has a Blackjack, all your bets including the original bet and double down bet or split bet will be lost.

The blackjack dealer will continue to draw cards until the total value of the hand reaches 17 or more and then the dealer stands.

Blackjack is attained if the first two dealt cards are a ten-value card and an Ace because the Ace will be counted as 11. Other winning hands in blackjack still pays whatever is at stake, but the Blackjack will pay three to two.

Doubling down in blackjack is done if your first two dealt cards have a total value of nine, ten, or 11 with no Aces. You can choose to double your bet and will be allowed to have one additional card only and nothing more. Double down can be profitable if you truly believe that you will be dealt an additional card of ten, thus making the value 19, 20, or 21.

If your first two cards have similar value, you have an option to split them up. This results to doubling your stake and also your chance of winning, but you must always keep an eye on the dealer's card.

Blackjack is a simple casino game and the rules of the game make it more interesting and exciting.