Blackjack

Online Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games in the world at the moment because, if its played correctly, it offers much better odds than any other game. Usually played with one to eight decks, the object of the game is to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over the value of 21. Cards 2 through 10 are valued according to their face value, all face cards are valued at 10 and aces can be valued at either 1 or 11. Although blackjack is a relatively easy game to grasp, it can take some time before you become an expert.

A round of blackjack starts with each player placing a wager and then the dealer will deal 2 cards face up to all players and one-up one-down to himself with each player. Players can now choose to draw cards (hit) or stay on their current totals (stand). Once all players have finished taking cards, the dealer then plays out his hand according to the house rules e.g dealer must draw to 16 at least and the dealer must stand on soft 17s. If the value of your hand is closer to 21 than the dealers, you win. If the value of the dealers hand is higher than yours, you lose.

If the dealer cards have a value of more than 21 ( 'busts') all players who have not bust themselves will automatically win.

Blackjack terms:

Hit:
Requests for another card. You can ask for as many cards as you like as long as they don’t total over 21. If your cards total over 21 your hand is ‘bust’

Stand:
You do not request any further cards. Your hand stands as it is.

Split:
If you are dealt two cards with the same value, you can choose to ‘split’ your hand into two hands which are played separately. Your original bet will be duplicated for the new hand. Each hand will be played out as normal.

Push:
When a player has the same card value as the dealer, the hand is a tie and nothing is won or lost.

Double Down:
If you choose this option you will get one more card and your bet will be doubled. You will not be allowed any more bets.

Blackjack:
This is the best hand in the House. Blackjack consists of an ace and any 10-point card.

Insurance:

This is offered when the dealer has an Ace showing. If you choose to take out insurance, you are betting that the dealer’s other card is a 10 or a face card – a blackjack. If the dealer does have a blackjack, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet but the original wager is lost unless the player too has a blackjack.