Many strategies for playing Blackjack have been developed. These strategies are based on the following rules of the game:
- All face cards - Jacks, Kings and Queens have a value of 10. Aces can have a value of either 1 or 11. You must decide what value is going to be more beneficial to your hand.
- You can draw up to nine additional cards to make a hand of eleven cards, provided the value of your hand does not exceed 21. If your hand does not exceed 21 after receiving eleven cards, your hand automatically stands, and the Dealer plays his hand. The Dealer stands on all hands with the value of 17 and draws on all hands with the value of 16.
- When your hand and the Dealer's hand tie, it is called a Push. You are paid back your original bet. If both the Dealer and your hand have Blackjack, this is also considered a push and you are paid out your original bet amount. If the Dealer gets Blackjack after you have split or doubled, your entire bet - both the original and double or split amounts, are lost.
So, To Sum Up…- The dealer has to continue to take cards until they reach 17 or more. When the dealer gets to 17 or more the dealer must stop.
- Blackjack is achieved with an ace and a ten-value card (this includes the Jack, Queen and King).
- Aces are worth either 1 or 11.
- Other winning hands do pay, you will win whatever your stake was, but Blackjack pays 3 to 2. So, if you bet 2 chips you will win 3.
- Ten-value cards are the most common (remember cards with pictures are worth 10).
- “The Double Down” - If your first two cards total 9, 10 or 11 you can double your stake, unless your hand includes an Ace. This can be worthwhile if you believe you are likely to be dealt a 10 next (and thus getting to 19, 20 or 21). If you double, you will only receive one card.
- If you are dealt two cards of the same value (although picture cards must match), you can choose to split them. This in effect doubles your stake and thus your opportunity to win, but again keep an eye on the dealer's card.
- “Insurance” - If the dealer's first card is an ace, you will be given the option of placing a side bet. When the dealer has an ace, he is considered to have a good chance of getting Blackjack. If the dealer does get Blackjack, this Insurance pays 2 to 1. If you do buy Insurance and the dealer fails to get Blackjack you lose your Insurance. Insurance bets are always half the value of your initial stake.