Top Casino Games - Blackjack
The object of the game is very simple - beat the dealer! How you go about doing this is a little more complicated, but not too much. The dealer has no particular interest in the game except to play the rules according to the casino’s determination and thereby set the ability for you to win, or the casino to win.
As in all top casino games the dealer is restricted in his actions and must always follow the rules of the house. In the case of blackjack that is to stand on 17 or more and draw on anything less. The player however has full freedom to do as he pleases. The idea then for the player is to get closer to the number 21 than the dealer can without going over. If he succeeds in this he wins, if he goes over or doesn’t exceed the dealer he looses - as simple as that.
Play begins with each player, starting at the left of the dealer, and the dealer himself getting dealt two cards. In multi-deck casino games it is most often the case that all cards are dealt face up. If they are dealt face down however, the dealer’s second card will always be dealt face up. Unlike other top casino games, blackjack is a game played between each player and the house, and the house’s representative is tied by restrictive rules which heed no attention to the cards on the table – for this reason it doesn’t matter if your cards can be seen. The only advantage cards face up does give however, is for card counting: If you see that 4 picture cards are on the table, you are better able to deduce the chances of getting one, for example.
The most a person can get from their original hand is a blackjack - 21. This would be an Ace, which is worth 1 or 11, and a picture card or 10 all of which have the value of 10. A winning blackjack pays out at 3-2. failing a blackjack you have the opportunity to improve your original hand but hitting. You don’t have to, but if you wish to you ‘hit’ and receive another card. You may do this as many times as you like, until you either chose to stop, because you are close enough to 21, or you bust.
If you have a pair of cards in your original hand you may choose to split them and play each as a separate hand by placing an equal bet on the second hand. Another option is to double down. This involves laying an additional bet on the original and receiving one extra card only.
Out of all the top casino games available today, blackjack is truly the prince of the pile; quick moving, exciting, and skillful. Now you know a little about it - enjoy.