Basic Rules for Playing Blackjack

Blackjack is the easiest game to learn. Some people call it twenty-one. This is a misnomer since the basic objective when playing blackjack is not to get twenty-one but to beat the dealer. Simply put, the basic rule is to get a hand with a sum that is higher than the dealer's cards, without going over twenty-one.

If a player's hand goes over twenty-one, it is called a "bust." When that happens, one loses the game. If the dealer goes over twenty-one and the player does not, then the player wins. However, if both player and dealers busts, the player loses the game.

Blackjack is played with either single, double or multi-deck cards. In single and double deck cards, the dealer holds the cards and distributes to the players. The cards are given face down, and then the player holds his own card.

In multi-deck cards, the cards are distributed from a tray called a "shoe." The cards are distributed face up and the players are not allowed to touch the cards.

In blackjack, what matters basically in the cards is its value. Suits are not relevant at all. Cards from two to nine are counted as is. An ace can either be one or eleven. Face cards all have a value of ten. A hand that has no ace is called a "hard hand" because it is equal to a definite value. A hand that has an ace is called a "soft hand" because the value can change. A soft hand can become a hard hand if drawing a third card leads to a sum higher than twenty-one. For example, if a player draws an ace and five, the value becomes fifteen. If the player decides to draw a third and gets eight, the hand automatically becomes a hard hand with a sum of thirteen. The ace cannot be counted as eleven since this will bring the total to twenty-three.

The most basic element of the game is in the bets. This determines the amount of winnings should the player win and is equal to the player loss if otherwise. At the start of the game, the player places his bet in the betting circle. In a real casino, the betting circle is located in front of his space and all players are seated in a semi-circle table. The play starts when players have placed their bets.

To illustrate the basic rules of the game, let's assume a multi-deck game. Each player receives two cards face up. The dealer gets one card face up and one face down. The dealer then asks each player a basic but most important question on whether to get another card or not. The player then makes a decision based on their two cards face and the face up card of the dealer. Player can decide whether to get more one or more cards.

If the player gets an ace and ten or any face card, the player gets a blackjack. This entitles him to a three to two winnings on his bet. But if the dealer also gets a blackjack, the dealer win and player loses.

Armed with the basic rules of blackjack as described above, one can now start and enjoy the game.