Blackjack is one of the most famous games on the casino. It’s fun, quick to play and, unlike other games, it provides the ability to beat the house through skill. To make wise decisions, you need only some knowledge and confidence.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of the game in Blackjack, also known as 21, is to beat the dealer and not the other players. There are two ways to win: get a hand of cards with a total point value higher than the dealer (up to 21); or not “bust,” i.e. get a total of over 21 points, before the dealer does.
HOW THE CARDS WORK
In Blackjack, only the face value of the card counts. So the 8 of the spades are counted as 8 points, for example. The total number of card points equals the hand value.
ACES
The ace is worth either 1 point, or 11 points: it is the preference of the player and depends on the hand.
NUMBERED CARDS
Numbered from 2-10 (clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) are worth their face value.
PICTURE CARDS
Each picture (King, Queen and Jack) card is worth 10 points.
BLACKJACK 
A hand of two cards which can add up to 21
SOFT HAND
A hand of two with one ace card
PUSH HAND
Same total card value with the dealer’s
BUST HAND
Total more than 21 in hand
4 STEPS TO PLAY BLACKJACK
- Set a budget ahead of time, and adhere to it.
- Know how to play a round, from the value of the points for each card and hand to what it takes to defeat the dealer.
- Hit, stand, split or double down: learn and use all the right moves.
- Choose the right blackjack table if you’re new to the game, starting with the lowest minimum. At first, feel free to watch to get the feel of the action.
A ROUND OF BLACKJACK
Let’s start the games. The dealer begins a game of Blackjack. If the dealer doesn’t have a Blackjack on hand, then regular play starts.
A dealer in the middle of a Blackjack table. The action starts with betting players using chips purchased from the dealer until the dealer signs “no bets anymore.” The dealer then manages two face-up cards to each player, and two cards to herself, with one face-up card.
Whether the dealer has a ten or an ace, he’ll check to see if the face-down card adds up to a Blackjack. If so, the round will be over and all players will potentially lose-unless one of the players will already have Blackjack, in which case they will hold their original bet.
Unless the dealer hands over 21 points, any player that hasn’t bust or reaches 21 will win. If the dealer is not busting, then the higher total point between the player and the dealer will win. When the number of points is the same, it is a push hand(draw), and the player keeps their original bet.
BLACKJACK INSURANCE
Insurance is a side bet the dealer has on Blackjack that is handled irrespective of the primary wager. The insurance pays 2:1 (meaning the player earns two dollars for each dollar bet) and is provided if the face-up card of the dealer is an Ace. This is a bet that the down card, or “hole” card, of the dealer, is valued at 10.
BLAZING 7S BLACKJACK
It offers a progressive side bet that pays off depending on the number of 7s in the Player/Dealer hand – the more 7s you win!
