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Online Casinos Introduction: Blackjack Rules
No online casino introduction would be complete without a lesson on blackjack. If you want to make sure money off internet gambling, you want to sink your teeth into this game. Unlike games like bingo and lotto which depend almost entirely on luck, blackjack can be influenced by strategy. Play it poorly and the casino wins; play it smart and YOU win.
How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack pits you one-on-one against the dealer. Your goal is to get cards with a total value of 21 or as close as possible. Numbered cards have their face values. Face cards are all 10. Aces can be either 1 or 11, whichever gets you closest (but not beyond) 21.
To start, the dealer gives you two cards, facing up. Dealer also gets two cards, but one is hidden. If your two cards total less than 21, you can ask for another card by choosing "hit." When you're happy with your cards, you "stand" with them and not draw again. If you keep on hitting and go past 21, you're "bust" and the dealer automatically wins.
If you don't go bust, it'll be the dealer's turn to hit. Dealer will keep on hitting if their hand total is 16 or less. The dealer stands at 17 and higher or bust. They never have a choice on how to play.
If the dealer's score is bust or lower than yours, you win. If their total is higher than yours, the casino wins. If your score is the same, there is a draw or "push."
Other Playing Options
Double Down
At the beginning when you hold two cards, you can double your bet and ask to be dealt a third and last card. This is done when you feel your two starting cards are close to 21 and the next card won't result in a bust.
Split
If you get double cards - two 10, two 8 - you can split your hand into two. You double your stakes as well, playing as if you were two players. You can win or lose with either or both hands.
Insurance
If the dealer's known card is an ace, you can get insurance if you think you can't beat them. You bet half your original wager at 2:1 odds that the dealer's hidden card has a 10-value, and thus a blackjack. If they do have a blackjack, you lose your original bet and win the insurance. So you break even. If they don't have a blackjack, you lose the side bet and also have to play the original bet as you normally would.
Long story short: Don't take insurance.
Surrender
This option is only available to you at the start of the game before you hit, split or anything. If, for any reason, you want to quit your hand (or "fold" as they say in poker), you can surrender. You then pay only half your original wager.
Surrender is not always available. It depends on the casino. Also, in many casinos, the dealer first checks if they have a blackjack. If they do, you can't surrender!
What Is a Blackjack?
When you have an ace and any 10-valued card for your first two cards, that's known as a blackjack.
Playing Blackjack for Profit
The casino edge varies depending on the player's strategy. When the right strategy is used, the house edge is only about 0.5%. That's what you want to take advantage of. But master the basics of blackjack first.
Next in this online casinos introduction is blackjack strategy.
- Play online, read the news, study the game of backgammon and learn how you can earn real money!