Blackjack has gained popularity amongst casino goers due to its simplicity, speed, excitement but largely for fun. There are various strategies of playing blackjack, each developed by the each individual player. While deciding a “winning” method, always refer to the methods used in casinos.

Rules of the Game:
The most elementary rule of the game is to obtain 21 or as close to it without exceeding and defeating the dealer’s hand. However prior to the dealer dealing in any cards, you as a player must lay a bet. This can be done by placing the chips or money in the designated area on the Blackjack table. The dealer distributes two cards to every player and lastly to themselves. One of dealer’s cards is laid out face up and the other is face down. All the face cards like Kings, Queens and Jacks carry 10 points, the Ace is either 1 or an 11 point card (based on what value you prefer) and the others cards have value that is same as the number of the card. E.g. the 2 of spades is worth 2 only.

Blackjack!!
The player getting an Ace and a 10 point card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) wins the game. But if the dealer also gets blackjack then there is a tie. A winning blackjack pays the player 3 to 2.

Hit or Stand:
Hit occurs when the dealer deals you another card. You can make a hand gesture to the dealer or simply utter hit me. Stand indicates you want to continue playing with the current cards you have been dealt with. You can show this by putting your wager on your cards or moving the cards horizontally. If you ask for a hit and exceed 21, you surrender your cards and forfeit the bet.

Double Down:
It implies you can double your bet on the first two cards and draw just one card extra to better your hand.

Splitting Pairs:
If your initial two cards are a pair, you can divide them into 2 different hands, place the equal amount on each and play them individually. Aces get only one extra card, but after splitting you get an Ace and a 10, it is considered as 21 and not as blackjack.

Insurance
If the face up card of the dealer is an ace, the player can opt for insurance, he can place maximum of one-half his original bet. If the dealer’s down card is a 10 or face card, the player wins 2 to 1. For any other card, the dealer stands to gain.

Surrender
A player can hand over the first two cards he has drawn and forfeit 1/2 of his original bet.
The last rule is a dealer must draw on 16 and stand on 17.

By Lawrence Bailey
Strategies and good tips to become better at playing online kasino games is the mission of Lawrence Bailey. Whether you’re into online slots, black jack, craps or roulette you will benefit from the nuggets of gold offered by LB.