| So you want to play blackjack? | | | | Before you even start to play blackjack, sit |
| | | | down and learn this basic strategy |
| It's a great game, and exciting, and you can | | | | |
| win money as consistently if you play | | | | Were you dealt an ace? Yes? then |
| blackjack with the correct methods and | | | | |
| attitude. | | | | If your second card is an 8 or 9, then STAND. |
| | | | |
| First you have to understand the game, and | | | | If your second card is a 6 or less, then HIT |
| then we will show you some basic tips to play | | | | |
| blackjack that will help you play and win so | | | | If your second card is a 7, watch the |
| lets get started. | | | | dealer's hand and decide |
| | | | |
| Blackjack Rules | | | | Were you dealt a pair (of the same card but |
| | | | different suit)? Yes? Then: |
| The rules of blackjack are fairly simple. | | | | |
| | | | If you have a pair of 4s, 5s, 9s 10s, then |
| The dealer will deal you (all players) two | | | | SPLIT Anything else, don't SPLIT |
| cards, and then the dealer gets 2 cards, one | | | | |
| showing and hidden. | | | | Were you dealt something else but a pair and |
| | | | an ace? Yes, then; |
| You may think that the object of the game is | | | | |
| to get as near to 21 as you can (even a 21 | | | | If your cards equal 17 or more, then STAND |
| with an ace and face card or 10, which is | | | | |
| called Blackjack). This is NOT the object of | | | | If your cards equal 11 or less: then HIT |
| the game. The object is simply to beat the | | | | |
| dealer. | | | | If your cards equal 12 until 16; watch the |
| | | | dealer's hand and decide |
| After you have received your cards, you can | | | | |
| ask for additional cards "hit", as many as | | | | Three Special FACTUAL Tips |
| you wish, just so long as you do not bust (go | | | | |
| over 21). | | | | • The 52 card deck (or multiples) all |
| | | | have 30% of the cards with the value of "10" |
| Blackjack rules clearly state that the dealer | | | | |
| must continue to hit until 17, and then stop. | | | | • Always assume the dealer's hidden |
| Should there be a tie; the dealer will win | | | | card is a 10. |
| only if he had a real blackjack (an ace with | | | | |
| a 10). | | | | The actual chances of are high. Also assume |
| | | | that whoever hits, you or the dealer, will |
| The Game of Blackjack Getting the odds in | | | | get a 10 more times than you won't. |
| your favor | | | | |
| | | | • When a dealer's has a 6 or less |
| The rules may be easy, but to play blackjack | | | | showing, he must take at least one hit to get |
| as the pros do, takes some work. | | | | to 17. |
| | | | |
| You see, the pro has to know all the odds. | | | | That means that his chances of busting are |
| The pro will know how to make the odds work | | | | HIGH. Sometimes you will do well to stand at |
| in his favor and increase and decrease bet | | | | 12! |
| size according to the odds | | | | |
| | | | Here we have given you the bare basics, but |
| Although some casinos still use a single deck | | | | if you follow them, you can play well and |
| or double deck game, most casinos have use a | | | | only with a small disadvantage to the house |
| shoe with six or sometimes eight decks. | | | | and with a good chance of winning. |
| | | | |
| A good point to remember is that with | | | | To win consistently you need to! |
| multiple decks, the casino usually pays out | | | | |
| at 3:2. Always make sure you know the payout | | | | Card count and all the facts you need to put |
| before you begin. | | | | the odds in your favor with card counting |
| | | | systems that can make you money are contained |
| Some casinos will load the odds in their | | | | in the follow up article to this one. |
| favor and pay out at 6:5, which is not good | | | | |
| at all. | | | | Digest what you have learned here on playing |
| | | | blackjack, then move to card counting and you |
| Basic Blackjack Strategy | | | | will soon be winning consistently at |
| | | | Blackjack. |