Blackjack Rules: Basic Terms and Explanation

One of the great appeals of the game of blackjack is its simple rules and the rather straightforward game play. Do not mistake simple for easy, however. The game might be easy to learn, and still mastering the craft can be quite challenging. This is the case with all card games that rely mainly on luck. You can still manage to win big if you follow a basic strategy. Knowing the routine is winning half the battle so if you’re new to blackjack, it is a good idea to learn all the rules, the setup and the different terms that are typical for the game. This short article will show you all that. Let’s begin.

Goal of the Game and Order of Events in It

Casual blackjack players often mistake the overall goal of the game. They think that focusing on the strategy to get as close to 21 as possible, without going bust is the way to win. This, while true in the most obvious way, is not where your goal should be. Think practical instead. You should focus on beating the hand the dealer has. Most of the time you won’t have the hand that will spell out “21” and that is why this is the real, actual goal you should strive for.

So, with the goal set let’s observe how the game is played. It starts with each player placing a bet on the table. Once betting is concluded, the dealer proceeds with the dealing of the cards – two for each player and two for him- or herself. One of the dealer’s cards is placed face down and is called the hole card. Players then have the option to either stand (not ask for additional card), hit (get another card or cards), double (double the bet and receive only one additional card), split (in case of a pair or two 10-point cards, the player can split the cards into two new pairs and get one more card for each) and surrender (forfeiting half the wager and getting the other half for not playing). The winner is then decided with the dealer flipping over the hole card and comparing the dealer’s hand with the hands of the players.

Layout of the Blackjack Table

There isn’t much of a variety or complexity when it comes to the table setup in a blackjack game. Depending on the game variant, the number of players allowed can be a minimum of one and a maximum or 6 or more. Each player can choose from a set of chips for a bet (1, 5, 10, 25 or 100) and place the bet at the designated location on the table. The cards are placed in front of the players, in this case at the bottom of the table and the dealer places his or her cards in front as well, one of them face down. The player faces the dealer both in terms of position and card placement. In a multiplayer game the player who is on the left is the one who starts off with the bet (and gets the first set of cards).

Value of hands in blackjack

Basic Rules of Blackjack

Card Values

In blackjack, Aces have two different values. Depending on the situation, an Ace paired with a 10-point card (a 10 or a face card) will result in a Blackjack or 21. In other cases, for instance when it is paired with other cards of lower value, the Ace acts as one. Aces are also great for splitting since they increase the chances of getting a Blackjack. The rest of the cards count as follows: between Two and Ten the cards have their number value, and all the face cards have a value of 10 points.

Limitations of the Dealer

The dealer is also prone to losing the game if he/she goes bust, or over 21. However, the biggest limitation the dealer faces is the fact that he/she must hit if the cards he dealt himself/herself are lower than 17.

16 or lower = draw a card, 17 or higher = stand

There is also the rule known as soft 17, i.e. when the dealer has an ace and a set of cards that are worth 6 points. The soft 17 differs from game to game and it requires the dealer to hit and draw another card. Its inclusion is dependent on the game version and the casino that is hosting it. You must remember that the rules concerning “soft” hands differ from casino to casino as well, so you need to make sure you are aware what precise set of rules is observed at the establishment of your choice.

Insurance

This opportunity arises when the dealer has an Ace showing (from the two cards he or she has in the dealer’s hand). Players can opt for a side wager (usually 2:1) which is won if the hole card is worth 10 points (either a face card or a Ten). The insurance bet is entirely optional. Its value may or may not exceed half the value of the original wager. This bet is a way to make players comfortable when betting against an Ace the dealer has, since you will be likely to receive an amount equal to the original wager even if you lose.

Glossary: Meaning of Popular Terms

.Hit / Stand

This is getting another card as opposed to holding the ones you’ve got. Depending on the blackjack variant, you can hit multiple times though you should be careful not to go bust (over 21). If you would like to read more about the blackjack variations, take a look at this article. In blackjack tournaments, you are allowed to hit only once.

.Split

This is a move that is only possible when you are holding a pair of identical cards or two 10-point cards (either Tens or face cards). Aces can be split as well. Once split, the dealer will automatically deal additional cards for each hand. The game resumes as normal then (you can hit, stand, double down or surrender). An exception to the rule is splitting Aces – you will only be able to get one card per hand. If the player gets a 10-point card with his or her Ace, that is not considered a Blackjack but a regular 21. Players may re-split their cards up to four hands.

.Double Down

This is a risky yet highly rewarding move if done right. You have a double down when a player doubles the bet and gets only one card.

.Surrender

Hitting all the time in the game of blackjack is never a good tactic, so players who do not wish to continue on with a bet can, surrender, i.e. don’t play out the hand they’ve been dealt. Surrendering yields half the original wager – the other half is lost, but it is better than nothing.

.Push / Tie

The first happens when both the dealer and a player have a Blackjack. In this case the bet is returned to the player in full. The second is when the dealer and player have a matching pair of cards – if the dealer has a pair of cards with a value lower than 16 he must hit again.

.Bust

That happens when a player hits one too many times and goes over 21. This is an automatic loss, and the player also loses his bet. The dealer can also go bust in which case all players win (if they haven’t gone bust just prior to the dealer).

.Blackjack

That is definitely the best hand in the game. It consists of an Ace and a 10-point card. It can only be rivaled by the dealer’s own Blackjack in which case the game goes to push.