Black Jack Rules and Strategy

There are no two ways about it: Black Jack is one of the most fun and entertaining table games there is. Due to its ease of play and excellent odds, Black Jack is without a doubt one of the most popular casino games available. One reason Black Jack is so popular is because when it is played correctly, players can reduce the house edge to as little as one half of a percent. Theoretically you could play blackjack for twelve hours and spend less money than you would at a movie theatre and you absolutely could win lots of money! Keep in mind though that in order to win or even keep the game close, you must use proper strategy when playing! If you just go blindly into the game hoping to win, you are going to lose lots of cash.

Black Jack Rules

Black Jack is a fairly simple game. During each round you and all the other players will receive two cards. Most of the time both of these cards are face up but there are games (called pitch) where the cards are dealt face down. The dealer also gets two cards but you will only be able to see one of those cards. From here you have the option to hit (take another card) or stand, which means you are happy with what you have. The object is to come closest to 21 with your cards without going over 21 and while being closer to 21 than the dealer. For example, if you have an 18 and the dealer has a 19 you will lose your bet. If you go over 21 you bust and also lose your bet. Along the course of the game there are some other options you have as well:

Double Down: This is where you can double your bet, but because of this advantage you are only allowed one more card.

Split: If you are dealt two cards of the same rank, you have the option of doubling your bet and splitting the two cards up into two separate hands.

Blackjack: When you are dealt an Ace and a face card or a ten in the first two cards. Most Blackjacks pay better odds and you are paid before the dealer reveals his or her cards.

Insurance: This is a sucker bet that you can take when the dealer is showing an ace. In most cases it is a bad move!

Even money: This is where the dealer is showing an ace but you already have a blackjack. Rather than risking the dealer also have a blackjack (in which case you push and win no money) you can forgo your higher blackjack payout (usually 3:2) for an even money payout. Like insurance, even money is usually a pretty bad idea.

Black Jack Strategy

The best strategy to follow in Black Jack is what is called “basic strategy”. This is a set of guidelines for how to handle every possible situation in the game. Basic Strategy varies with the specifics of the particular game you are playing, but there are a couple steadfast rules that always apply:

* When the dealer is showing a seven or higher, you must assume they have a ten underneath, thus you must hit until you either bust or also have a seventeen or higher yourself.

* Low cards such as 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for the dealer are generally considered bust cards. The dealer has a high probability of busting. If you have a thirteen or higher stand pat. Obviously hit anything of an eleven or lower. Hit a twelve against a two but sit tight against anything else.

* If you have a ten, double down against anything but a ten or an ace. If you have an ace double down against anything but an ace.

* Always split eights.