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THE GAME
With blackjack you compete only with the dealer who has no choices
to make, but you as the player do. The choices that you can make
can mean a huge difference to the odds of success.
The object of the game is simple, to accumulate cards with a point
totals as close as possible to 21 without going over 21.
Face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10 points. Aces are
worth 1 or 11. Other cards are represented by their relevant number.
If the player and the House tie, it is a push and no one wins. Ace
and 10 (Blackjack) on the first two cards dealt is an automatic
player win at 1.5 to 1, unless the house ties. A player may stand
at any time.
PLAYING BLACKJACK
Points to remember are:
To win you need to beat the dealer without going bust.
You bust when your cards exceed 21, you then lose.
The winner is whoever has closest to a total of 21.
Before receiving any cards a player must place a bet.
The player is then dealt two cards face up. The dealer gets one
face up, one face down.
Each player in turn either stays or takes more cards to try and
get closer to 21.
Players who do not bust wait for the dealer's turn. When a player
completes his hand, the dealer turns up the down card. By rule,
on counts of 17 or higher the dealer must stand; on counts of 16
or lower the dealer must draw.
If a player has a total of 21 with the first two cards they win
automatically.
If you have Blackjack, you will win one and one-half times your
bet unless the dealer has a Blackjack, in which case it is a Push
or a Tie (or a Stand-off) and you get your bet back
- Insurance: Side bet up to half the initial bet against the
dealer having a natural 21 - allowed when the dealer's shown
card is an Ace.
If the dealer has a 10 face down and makes a blackjack, insurance
pays at 2-1 odds, but loses if the dealer does not.
- Surrender: Is giving up your hand and losing half your bet
- Early Surrender: Is only allowed before the dealer checks
for blackjack
- Late Surrender: the dealer first checks to see if he has
blackjack. If he does, surrender is then not permitted
- Double Down: Double your initial bet following the initial
two-card deal, but you can hit one card only. A good bet if
the player is in a strong situation.
- Even Money: Cashing in your bet immediately at a 1:1 payout
ratio when you are dealt a natural blackjack and the dealer's
showing card is an Ace
- Split Hand: This allows you to split the initial two-card
hand into two and play them as separate hands. This is only
allowed when the two first cards are of equal value.
You can then use each card as the start to a separate hand and
place a second bet equal to the first.
- Hard Hand: A hand without an Ace or with an Ace valued at
1 is a hard in that it can only be given one value, unlike a
Soft Hand. (You can value an Ace at 1 or 11 to suit your hand).
- Soft Hand: A hand that contains an Ace counted as 11 is called
a Soft Hand.
- Natural: Is a two card hand of 21 points
VARIATIONS OF THE GAME
You need to check the individual variations of the game at individual
casinos, but the above gives you the basics of the game
THE HOUSE ADVANTAGE
Without basic strategy the house advantage is on average of
around 3%. With basic strategy this is can be reduced to around
0.5%. Card counting can then reverse the advantage up to a positive
advantage to the player of about 1.5%. These figures are approximate
and vary depending on the rules of the game
Blackjack basic strategy cuts the house edge, card counting
will then reduce the casino edge further and depending on how
good you are at it; put the odds of success in your favor.
The strategy is derived by using a computer simulation which
analyses millions of hands and plays all combinations to come
up with the best strategy with the best odds over time and tells
you how to play each hand.
What does the basic strategy get you in terms of cutting the
casino edge? Using a basic strategy it is possible to reduce the
casino edge to around 0.5%.
Here is an illustration of how the casino edge is reduced
[ table to be inserted ]
The basic playing strategy is dependent on the number of decks
used. Below we have used examples for single decks and for decks
of 4 - 8.
[ table to be inserted ]
You can cut the casino edge further by playing at casinos with
favorable house rules
The enclosed chart gives you the advantages gained in relation
to specific rule variations
[ tables to be inserted ]
With a little practice this basic strategy can be memorized and
become second nature to you. Try it playing for free until you
feel comfortable with it, and then try it out for real. It is
guaranteed to reduce the house edge over time and your long term
potential for profit. Now you know basic strategy you need to
study card counting to put the odds in your favour.
NEWS:
Increase your profit potential by playing multi hand blackjack!
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