Blackjack is a card game popularly played in casinos. It is also commonly referred to as Twenty One, which refers to the objective of the game of getting cards with a total value of twenty one.
With numerous decisions being up to the player, blackjack is often seen as one of the card games requiring the most skill on behalf of the player. Due to this, it is also often seen as a game that can be manipulated by implementing a well-practised blackjack strategy or by counting cards, which are meant to be ways of beating the odds and guaranteeing a win.
Nonetheless, whether strategies are involved or not, the basic rules of the game still need to be adhered to.
The Strategies
While some blackjack strategies are enormously complicated and require much study and practice, there are a few universally-agreed upon rules. For example, it is generally advised to never take insurance, as the chances of losing more than gaining are high. There are also various strategies as to when to split, when to double, when to hit, and when to stand. While such strategies do not guarantee a win, they do make for a more skilled player, making blackjack strategies one of the many things one can do to help beat the odds and win the game.
Blackjack Basics
The objective of the game, as said, is to hold a hand of cards with a value closest or equal to twenty one, without going over that figure. The game is only ever played against the dealer; so as long as one’s hand is higher than that of the dealer, a win may be guaranteed. Technically, however, ‘blackjack’ is only achieved when the value of twenty one is hit while only holding two cards.
Generally, cards in NZ online blackjack are taken at face value. The face cards are all valued at ten, and the ace is valued at either one or eleven. The players decide whether the ace represents one or eleven, making this card vital to the outcome of the game.
The Rules
After players have taken their bets, they, as well as the dealer, are dealt two cards. The dealer’s cards are placed one facing up and one facing down to give players an indication of what they’re competing against, while the players’ cards are set out according to house rules, either both facing up, both facing down, or one facing up and the other down.
With the first two cards dealt, the players must decide how to continue playing. They decide whether to receive a hit or stand, double down on their hand, that is, receiving only one more card facing up while doubling the bet, or split their pairs if they have been dealt these. They may also decide to take insurance against the dealer having blackjack if the dealer’s card facing up is an ace.
If the player’s hand equals twenty one, the player wins. If the hand value ties with that of the dealer, the hand is ended and the bets returned to the player. If play continues beyond the first two cards, the hand value closest to twenty one will win.