Beat the Dealer!

Blackjack is a mixture of simple addition and lots of luck. Once you learn the basics, the rest will be fun.

The objective of this game is to defeat the dealer. In order to do so, one has to have cards higher than those of the dealer, however, without going over 21. The term bust is used when the player or the dealer exceeds 21. If both the dealer and the player busts, the dealer still wins.

There are two major kinds of blackjack: the hand-held and the shoe games. In hand-held games, cards are given faced down and the player can touch them. In shoe games, however, cards are placed in such a way that they form a shoe. Cards are given face up but the player can't hold these. Still, the basics are the same. The dealer will also have two cards, one faced up, one faced down. The card faced down is called the hole card.

Cards have numerical values. The cards 2 to 10 have the same equivalent. Face cards (king, queen and jack) are worth 10. The ace is a special card because it can be an 11 or a 1. Whatever helps the cards be better, will be the ace's value. Example, an ace and an 8 makes 19. While an ace and a jack makes 21; Blackjack.

Cards without an ace are called Hard Hand because they represent only one value. Cards with an ace, on the other hand, are called Soft Hand because of the ace's double role.

Just like any card game, a round starts with the betting. There are no specific limits or rules when it comes to this part, but still, one has to think with caution. After all players have placed their bets, the dealer will distribute the cards. Next, the dealer will ask the players for their decision.

The first to be asked is the first base, the player leftmost of the dealer. The third base will be the player rightmost of the dealer. There are different decisions that can be made. Hit, stand, double, insurance, split and surrender are terms with different results.

When you hit, you add another card. You stand whenever you're happy with your cards. Doubling means adding your bet after you've been given your first two cards. Insurance is another type of bet if the dealer's face up card is an ace. You're making a bet that he has the ten as the hole card. In split, you create another hand with one of your cards, but the dealer makes this one after you make the decision. Lastly, as the name suggests, you may surrender if you don't feel that you're winning. However, half of your bet will be taken after surrendering, and, some casinos do not accept surrender.

This is a clear illustration of a game of luck. You can only win if the cards are on your side. Good luck, and, beat the dealer!