Blackjack is a card game played by one or more players against the dealer. The goal is to have a hand that totals closer to 21 than the dealer’s without going over. The cards are worth their face value, with faces (Jack, Queen, King) worth 10 and Aces worth either 1 or 11. Players must make a decision before they receive their second card to hit (receive additional cards) or stand (keep their current hand). If the player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, the player wins and is paid one-time the original wager. If the dealer has a better hand, they sweep the player’s bet and start another round.
Aside from the basic rules of the game, there are a few other things to keep in mind when dealing blackjack. For example, some casinos will change the standard payout for Blackjacks from 3:2 to 6:5. This is a way to increase the house edge and take more money out of the player’s pockets. Some casinos also offer side bets on the table that require an additional wager in addition to the player’s main bet. These bets can include betting on a pair as the first two cards, doubling down on a specific hand value, and betting on whether the dealer will bust.
To start a game of blackjack, the casino dealer will shuffle and mix the deck(s) of cards thoroughly to ensure that they are evenly distributed. Once this is complete, the dealer will deal each player two cards, starting with the person to their left. The dealer will then reveal their own card and decide to hit or stand based on predetermined rules. If the dealer busts, all players win. If neither the dealer nor the player busts, the player with the highest hand value wins.
After the dealer has made their decision, players can choose to hit or stand. If they hit, they will receive additional cards until they reach a desired hand value. It is recommended that players always hit when their hand value is below 16 and stand when it is above 17. Players can also double down on a specific number, depending on the situation and their individual strategy.
When a player has a Blackjack, they will ask the dealer to pay for insurance. This is a bet that the dealer has a Blackjack and will beat the player’s hand. If the player’s Blackjack is higher than the dealer’s, they will win. If the dealer has a Blackjack, they will sweep the player’s bet and start a new round of play. If the dealer’s Blackjack is lower than the player’s, they will lose their bet and the game is over. If the dealer has an ace with a 10, they will have a Push and both bets will be swept. If the dealer’s hand is a 9, they will not have a Push and the game is over. In most cases, ties will be a Push.