Basic Blackjack Strategy

The objective and main goal when playing blackjack is to get as close to 21 as you possibly can, or match 21, with any amount of cards. If you hit a "natural blackjack," an Ace and a face card or 10 on your first two cards, the house pays 3 to 2 odds. If you beat the dealer, the house pays even money. A "normal blackjack" occurs when you reach 21 exactly with any amount of cards. If you go over 21 you bust and lose your bet. The value of each card is as follows:

• The value of card numbers 2-10 represent their own numerical value
• Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10
• Aces are 1 or 11, whichever you choose

The first premise to understand when playing Blackjack is that your only competition is the blackjack dealer. No matter how many virtual or real players are at your table, your only foe is the Dealer. Bottom line, if you beat the blackjack dealer you win. If you tie the Dealer it is a push and you retain your bet. The most common blackjack rule is that the dealer stands on all 17s. In this case, the dealer must continue to take cards ("hit") until his total is 17 or greater. An Ace in the dealer's hand is always counted as 11, if possible without the dealer going over 21. For example, (Ace + 8) would be 19 and the dealer would stop drawing cards ("stand"). Also, (Ace + 6) is 17 and again the dealer will stand. (Ace + 5) is only 16, so the dealer would hit. S/He will continue to draw cards until the hand's value is 17 or more. For example, (Ace + 5 + 7) is only 13 so s/he hits again. (Ace + 5 + 7 + 5)

makes 18 so s/he would stop ("stand") at that point.

Here are some terms that must be understood in order to effectively play blackjack, online or land-based:

• Stay – means that you do not want any more cards, you are satisfied with your hand

• Hit – means you want another card added to your previous cards, remember you can take as many cards as you like unless you bust

• Bust – means you have went over 21 and you lose

• Insurance – an option for a side bet that is offered whenever the blackjack dealer's face-up card is an Ace. Your original bet continues. The side bet is on whether or not the dealer's down or hole card will have a value of 10, giving the dealer a natural blackjack or 21. The side bet is half of your original bet and it pays 2 to 1. If you win the Ins. (dealer has 21 and you lose your hand (you don't have 21) you are even for the hand. Basic rule of thumb states that Insurance should be turned down in most cases, the House odds against you put the player at a disadvantage

• Split – this is an option to split your one hand into two. You can only use this option if both of your cards are the same, i.e. two 9's or two Aces. You then play each card separately. You cannot go to the second card until you have finished playing the first card in its entirety

• Double Down – this is a feature that allows you to double your original bet after you have received your two cards. If you double down you match your bet that you have out, then you are only allowed one more card and the dealer goes to the next player

• Hard or Soft – if you say you have a hard 17, then that means there are no Aces, an example would be a Queen and a 7. If you have a soft 17, then you have an Ace and a 6, with the Ace being 11. The term soft is used because the Ace can make that hand either a 7 or a 17

Note: Certain blackjack rules and techniques are associated with Insurance, Splitting, and Double Down. They will be discussed later in the article.

Now that the values, definitions, and objectives are known, you are equipped to play. Before the Dealer begins, you will place your bet in front of you. After all bets are placed, the Dealer will then proceed to deal. The Dealer will start with the player to his or her immediate left and deal one card face up in successive order to all players at the table, then the Dealer will give his or herself one card face up. The Dealer will then deal out the second round of cards, one more card face up for all players and one down card for his or herself. At this point everyone at the table has two cards and all cards are exposed except the Dealer's second card. Now decisions to Stay or Hit must be made by all players, starting with the player to the Dealer's immediate left.

Now you have two cards with a sum value. If the blackjack dealer's first card up is an Ace, he or she will ask all players if they want insurance. Insurance costs half of your original bet you have out. When all insurance bets are made the Dealer will check the hole card and will flip it immediately if it is a value of 10, giving the Dealer a Blackjack. For those who took the Insurance, they will break even if the Dealer has Blackjack since Insurance pays 2 to 1. Those who choose not to take Insurance lose their bet if the Dealer has Blackjack. Remember that Insurance only applies if the Dealer's face-up card is an Ace. In all other instances, the person to the immediate left of the Dealer makes their decision whether they want to (Hit) or (Stay). This decision is based upon the player's sum value and the value of the Dealer's face-up card. There are several different scenarios that you will encounter in a game of Blackjack; here are strategies and techniques to employ in any given situation:

STAY IN THESE SITUATIONS – keep in mind these blackjack strategies are used when your two cards do not match and splitting is not an option.

Blackjack players are allowed to double down for any amount up to the original bet

amount, so you could double down "for less" if you wanted. Blackjack tip: Just remember

that when you double you can draw only one more additional card. Blackjack strategy: If the correct play is to double down, you should always double for the full amount if possible. Here are the optimum situations to double:

SPLITTING PAIRS – Just as Doubling, there are certain rules and tips associated with splitting pairs. The suggestion here states you should never split any pair that equals 20, such as two Jacks or two 10s. Also take note of the fact that when you split your pair into two hands, you have to finish the first hand entirely before you can go to the second hand. Here are prime situations for splitting:

These are a few tips and strategies for the exciting game of Blackjack, happy gaming.