Depending on the casino, blackjack is either played with a single deck of cards or a multi-player table. The objective of the game is to make a hand that is worth more than the dealer. Normally, a player’s goal is to get closer to 21, a total that is known as the “natural” or “blackjack.” The two most valuable cards are the ace and ten. However, a pair of aces is not considered a blackjack.
The “Dealer Match” pays when a player’s cards match the dealer’s up card. A blackjack side bet is also available. It pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack. The other cards in the hand count at their index value. If a player receives a pair of aces, he or she can mute the other card and play the hand alone. Alternatively, the player can surrender his or her hand. The dealer must hit if the hand totals less than 17 and stand if the hand totals 17 or higher. The dealer checks for blackjack at the end of the hand.
The game also features a side bet called the “insurance” bet. This bet costs 50% of the original bet and pays out twice as well as the main bet if the dealer has blackjack.
The best time to make an insurance bet is when the count is low. Buying insurance is a good strategy, but it’s also possible to lose half of your bet. Besides, the odds of winning an insurance bet are very small. In fact, there is only a one in three chance of getting paid, but you still have to make the bet.
The other side bet available on a Blackjack table is the “Dealer Match.” If a player’s cards match the dealer’s face up card, he or she will be paid. This bet is usually the first wager that a player makes. It is a wager that the player will have a better hand than the dealer.
In addition to the “Dealer Match” bet, there are several other options that can be made. These include doubling down, which is a gamble that only gives you one more card. It is not recommended that you double down with the dealer’s face up card, because the chances of getting a ten are lower than the chances of getting a ten on your own. Likewise, doubling down is not a good idea when the dealer’s face up card is an ace.
Another useful thing to know about blackjack is the rules for doubling down on a dealer’s ace. If the player has the ace, he or she can re-double the bet, but only if the dealer has a 9-A or 10-A.
Another very useful thing to know about the “blackjack” is that a ten-value card is the most valuable card for the player. If the dealer’s face up card is a jack, queen, or king, he or she has the best odds of being able to beat a player’s hand.
