The aim of blackjack is to reach a total closer to 21 than the dealer’s. For example, splitting a pair of 5’s and an Ace can yield a hand worth 19 instead of 20, which is considered a weak hand and will not win you the game. In blackjack, however, you can also split two 8’s to receive a better hand. If you don’t have an Ace, standing with 16 will yield a hand worth 19, and will not result in a Bust.
In the game of blackjack, players first make their bets and the dealer then deals two cards to each player and himself. The player must then decide whether to hit, stand, or surrender. Similarly, the dealer must act last. A blackjack dealer must stand or hit on a hand with a value of 16 or higher, or make a beckoning motion with his finger to receive another card. In hand-held games, players scratch cards lightly on the felt of the table.
Several years later, the game was formally legalized in Nevada. The Four Horsemen of Aberdeen, who had been experimenting with hand calculators, developed a basic strategy for blackjack, proving that it offered the highest odds of winning. Their work was later published in two books: Journal of the American Statistical Society and Playing Blackjack to Win. While they are not as well known as their names might suggest, they have earned their way into the Blackjack Hall of Fame.
Playing blackjack is easy and fun, but the rules are very important to understand. Blackjack is a card game, and most people will assume that the objective is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. However, in reality, players can win on lesser hands by waiting until the dealer busts out. You can even play multiple hands at a time, as long as you have enough chips to make an additional bet in each spot.
Insurance is another way to make money at blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack, the player can place an insurance bet for half his original wager. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player loses the insurance bet. Despite the fact that it is a sneaky way for the casino to earn extra cash, it still has its advantages. The rules of insurance are simple enough to understand, but players should be aware that it will not always pay off in the long run.
When playing blackjack, you can either double down or hit. In a “double down” bet, the dealer will place an extra chip next to your initial bet. When you get a second card with a value greater than 11, you can double down and bet the same amount again. If you’re not sure about the outcome of the game, you can ask the dealer for another card to see if your hand is better. A dealer with a ace or a face card is not a good bet.