Blackjack is a card game in which the goal is to beat the dealer’s hand. The best way to do this is by learning the rules of the game and playing it wisely.
The objective of the game is to make a total hand value that is as close to 21 as possible without going over. This can be done by combining the values of face cards, cards numbered 2 through 10 or aces that count either as 1 or 11.
There are a number of rules in blackjack which you need to know and follow. The most important is when to hit and stand, which are both decisions that you need to make based on the dealer’s cards as well as your own.
When to hit
If the dealer’s cards are showing two aces, you should always hit. This is because a dealer’s ace can count as either an 11 or an ace, making the total card value more likely to go over 21. This can be an excellent strategy if you are betting low and want to stay in the game until the dealers draws their next card.
When to stand
If you have a total hand value of 13 or higher, you should always stand. This is because a dealer’s card can go over 21, which means that you will lose the round and the chips in your hand will go to the bank instead of being paid out to you.
When to double down
If a player has a hand value of nine or less, they should always double down. This is because the house edge on a blackjack hand with a total of nine or less is lower than on a hand with an ace, which is what they usually want to get.
When to split
If your cards are a pair, you can split them into two separate hands, provided that the total of both hand values is no more than six. This is a great option if you have a high-valued hand that is unlikely to go over 21, as the house edge on a split hand can be as low as 0.15%!
When to surrender
If the dealer’s hand is very weak, you can also decide to surrender. This is a decision that you must make only when you feel like you are losing too much money to keep playing. This will allow you to recover half of your original bet, and can help increase your odds of winning.
When to use insurance
In some casinos, players can take insurance when they have a blackjack. This is a bet that pays out if the dealer has a Blackjack, and the payout is 3:2. It is important to remember that this bet loses in the long run, so it is not a good idea to use this option too often.
When to hit or stand
If you are a first-time blackjack player, it can be difficult to know when to hit and when to stand. This can be a complicated process to understand, but with practice you’ll find that the right moves are easy to make and improve your chances of winning.