Blackjack is the most widely played casino card game in the world, with tens of thousands of people trying their luck against the house each and every day. The game’s simplicity and the fact it combines luck and skill is why blackjack is still extremely popular today.
The first recorded blackjack game occurs in France as far back as 1768 before it hit the United Kingdom during the 1770s and 1780s. The rules have changed slightly since then, but blackjack is still predominately the same game as it was almost 250-years ago!
Fabulous Las Vegas is a haven for blackjack players, with every single one of the 144 Vegas casinos spreading the game for their customers. You can learn how to play blackjack in Vegas by either jetting out to “Sin City” and sitting down at one of the many blackjack tables or firing up an online casino where virtual blackjack games are plentiful. The following tips will help you play blackjack like a pro.
The Basic Rules of Playing Blackjack
Blackjack is a straightforward game that combines luck with skill. It is played against the house using between one and eight standard 52-card decks and can have up to seven players in a single hand.
A hand begins with the players placing their bets in the betting box before the dealer gives each player one card face-down and themselves one face-up card. The dealer then pitches another face-down card to each of the players before giving themselves a face-down card.
The game’s object is to create a holding whose value is greater than the dealers, but that does not exceed 21. Cards 2 through 10 have the value shown on them, with jacks, queens, and kings worth 10 points. Aces are unique cards because they can be worth 11 or 1.
A player who has a total of 21 from their first two cards is sadi to have a “natural” or “blackjack” and immediately wins unless the dealer also has blackjack. Hitting blackjack usually pays out at 3 to 2 odds. The game is considered a “push” if the player and dealer both have blackjack, and the player’s initial bet is returned.
How Do You Receive More Cards?
It is relatively rare to be dealt blackjack, so you will want more cards to try and beat the dealer’s perceived total. Asking for another card is called hitting, and you signal to the dealer that you want another card by scraping your cards against the table or waving your hand towards your body. You can hit as many times as you wish so long as your total does not exceed 21.
How Do You Stick With Your Hand?
Should you be happy with your hand, you can stand. This is also known as standing pat. Sliding your cards under your chips or waving your hand over your cards is the signal for standing.
How Do You Tell The Blackjack Dealer You Want to Split?
It is possible to split your hand if you have been dealt two of the same card. For example, two eights. This requires a second bet, and you essentially play two hands against the dealer for the remainder of this round. Signal your intention to split by placing an additional chip next to your original bet and point with your fingers spread into a V.
How Do You Double Down?
The last move in your arsenal is doubling down. It is a powerful move that can result in bigger wins. A double down doubles your bet, and you receive exactly one more card. A perfect example of when to do this would be if your total came to 11 and the dealer showed something small like a four. You double your bet hoping for a 10 to be your next card.
Show you want to double down by placing additional chips next to your original bet and pointing to both your bets with one finger.
Verbal Instructions Are Welcomed Too
Las Vegas blackjack dealers are training to watch for the hand movements mentioned above, but they also welcome verbal instructions. Simply say hit, stand, split, or double, and they will act accordingly.
Tell the dealer that you are new to playing live blackjack, and they will almost certainly slow the action down a little to accommodate you. The dealer wants you to have fun because you play more if you are having fun, which is what you should have when you play any casino game.
