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Black Jack is a relatively simple game that does give the knowledgeable player a better chance of winning, unlike other casino games. At most casinos you will find the minimum bet for a game of Black Jack at $5.00, although some places start lower. Like most casino games, when you sit down to play, lay your cash money on the table, and the dealer will change you in for chips. You will only have to wait until the next hand to start betting, so when you see the dealer give and take money, a new hand is getting ready to begin.
The object of Black Jack is to beat the dealer’s hand. So, when you play, you need not be concerned with what the other players are doing, except for camaraderie’s sake. It’s you against the dealer. The one of you closest to 21 without “busting”, going over 21, is the winner. A Black Jack is a pair of cards that equals 21. The Ace equals 11, all face cards and the 10 equal 10, and all others cards are of their numbered value. Also, a Black Jack must be achieved with just two cards. For example an Ace and a Jack are a Black Jack. An Ace, a 7, and a 3 is 21.
Before the dealer will lay your hand you must have your bet down. You can put down any amount between the table minimum and maximum, which are posted on the table. Once you are laid a card, you cannot change your bet. However, there is a point where you can raise your bet, and we’ll get to that later. The dealer will lay all of the first dealt cards face up, including his. All of the second cards will be laid face up for the players, but face down for the dealer. He will then go to each player, asking if he/she wants another card. There is minimal conversation in the game, rather the dealer will point at you, and you will signify with a hand gesture whether you want another card or not. Sliding your hand back from one side to the other indicated you do not want another, just as you would if you were gesturing to a waiter that you did not want more coffee. If you would like another card, you can scratch the table or gesture with a few fingers that you want another. You will have to observe these hand gestures at the table to get the hang of them. Proper gesturing is important to dealers because it slows the game up if they don’t understand you.
In Black Jack you can take as many cards as you want, but you do not want to bust because this is an automatic loss even if the dealer ends up busting as well. Later on in this article, strategies will be shown for when to take another card and when not to. Obviously if you are dealt a very low hand, for instance a 3 and a 6, you want to take another card. You can’t lose. 3 and 6 equals nine, and the highest card in Black Jack is the Ace (11), so taking another card could not hurt you. Having two cards that equal 11 or more is when you have to do a little strategizing.
There are a few other elements thrown into this game. One is the option to split your bet. Splitting means making your one bet into two. You can do this only if you are dealt two of the same card. It is wise to split for instance if you are dealt two aces or two face cards. However if you split Aces, you are only allowed one more card. Any other denomination allows you to play as usual. If you are dealt a hand that you would like to split on, place a bet equal to what you had originally laid next to your chip/s. The dealer will know that you want to split, and will then lay one card next to each that you already have. These are now two separate bets, they can win or lose separately.
Another option in the game is doubling down. This means to double your bet. Players do this when they are confident that the two cards they were dealt will lead to a good hand with just one more card. To double down, do as you would if you wanted to split, place another bet next to your previously laid bet. It is wise to double down on a total of 11, because there is a good chance that you will receive a card of 10 value making a 21. The only downside to the bet is that you can only take one card. For example, you have a 6 and a 5. You decide to double down, and your next card is a 2. You are stuck with a 13, so your hope is that the dealer will bust.
One last complication and that is the Ace. The Ace actually can have a value of 11 or a value of 1, whichever is more to your advantage. An Ace and a 10 or face card dealt will always assume a value of 11 for the Ace, making this hand a Black Jack. Let’s say an Ace and a 3 are dealt. This hand can be a fourteen or a four. If the next card you are dealt were a 7, you would want to stop with 21. Let’s say the next card you received was an 8. Your Ace would now assume the value of 1, therefore you would not bust. A hand where the value of the Ace is 11 is called a hard hand, and where the Ace is 1 is a soft hand.
Now for some strategy.
Standing Rules-When to stop on the two cards you are originally dealt
Hard Hands
Stand on 12 against 2 or 3. (Against means the card that the dealer is showing)
Stand on 13 against 4, 5, or 6.
Always stand on 17 or higher
Double-Down Rules
Double on 11 except against an Ace.
Double on 10 except against 10 or Ace.
Double on 9 against 3, 4, 5, or 6.
Splitting Rules
Always split Aces and 8’s.
Split 9’s except against 7, 10 or Ace.
Never split 5’s or 10’s.
Soft Hands
Always stand on soft 19 or 20.
Hit soft 18 against 9,10, or Ace.
Stand soft 18 against 2, 7, or 8.
Never stand on soft 17 or less.
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