Blackjack Basics

This guide is intended for a blackjack novice looking to play at an internet casino. Someone looking to learn how to play blackjack will benefit from this tutorial.

Blackjack is a classic card game, played with one or more decks of cards. The game has been greatly studied and various play guides are available on the internet. You can use these guides, play by intuition, or a mix of both just be sure to have fun,

Here is some important terminology when playing blackjack:
Blackjack Yes, it is the name of the game, but it is also the best hand. If the two initial cards you are dealt total 21 points (an Ace and a face card or 10) you have a blackjack. Blackjacks usually pay 3:2 (avoid casinos that only pay 6:5)
Points Points are added from the value of the cards in your hand. Number cards, 2-10 are worth one point for each rank. For example, a 6 is worth 6 points. Suit does not matter in blackjack. Jacks, Queens, Kings are all worth 10 points. Aces are worth either 1 or 11, whichever gives your hand a higher point total that does not exceed 21.
Bust When your hand is more than 21 points. You automatically lose.
Push When your hand value is equal to the dealer. Your original stake is returned.
Hit You get another card added to your hand. The value from the added card is added to your hand value.
Stand Go forward without drawing any more cards.
Double Double your bet and get one additional card to improve your hand. You must stand pat after the one card.
Split If you have two cards of the same rank, you can split them into two separate hands. You need to double your wager (an equal amount on both hands) and another card is dealt for each hand. The new hands are then played as normal.
Surrender Some casinos allow you to surrender your hand after it is initially dealt. If the dealer doesnt have blackjack, you can surrender your hand and half your bet.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

First, know the game you are playing. Playing with smaller numbers of decks is advantageous to the player. Also, know the rules for the game, as it can vary from casino to casino. For example, some casinos allow surrendering, and there are all kinds of rules for splitting cards.

The way the game is fair is by having set rules which the dealer must follow for hitting and staying. Most common is the strategy where the dealer hits on soft 17 and stays on hard 17 or higher. A soft hand is when an ace, with a value of 11, is in the hand (e.g. A, 6).

Remember the dealer can bust just as easily as the player. So, there are times when it is appropriate to stay when you only have 13. For example, if the dealer is showing a 6 they are more likely to bust than if they are showing a face card. Typically, if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher, you want to hit until you have at least 17, if you can do so without busting.

Enjoy the game. It isnt about how many hands you play, but how much you enjoy playing. By keeping yourself alert and avoiding getting into too much of a routine you are more alert. You might get more of an intuitive feel about a game or just a better feel for the strategy of the game.

There are some bad strategies you want to avoid. First, you should not assume dealer has a 10 as their face down card. While this is true 28% of the time, it is not true 72% of the time! And if there are other 10s out of play, those odds increase. Some players also stand anytime their hand is 12 points or higher, to avoid busting. Aside from not being fun, it is not the best strategy. Also, if you think you can count cards, you probably arent interested in this tutorial! Counting cards is only possible in land based casinos and is very difficult. Internet casinos use a fresh virtual deck of cards for each hand, so all the cards are in play for each deal.

If you are playing leisurely, only risk what you can afford. If you are looking more long term, make sure you have enough bankrolled to get through losing streaks. While you may be able to win 49% of the hands, inevitably you will get on a losing streak and swear the cards are rigged. While the game is probably fair, the game does have inherent hot and cold streaks.

Lastly, betting strategies are fun, but do not necessarily help win money. The most common strategy is an increasing bet strategy, bet $1 and lose, so you bet $2 next time, then $4, $8, etc. Problem is, by the time you lose 8 in row, you are now betting $128 on a single hand. It happens You can read up on other strategies elsewhere.

Related Pages at Gambling Smarts: Blackjack Rules and Strategy Blackjack Quick Tips