How To Play

Blackjack is one of the simplest of all the table games, but it is also one of the most enjoyable. Blackjack is always played against the dealer, giving the game and us versus the enemy feel. In addition, blackjack is played using learnable strategy and skill that can make the odds of winning almost even. Blackjack is the most popular table game at casinos for good reason and using simple guidelines from MENSA gives you a good chance at winning.

Learn How To Play Blackjack

The aim of blackjack is to beat the dealer. You can beat the dealer in two ways: by having the sum of your cards higher than the dealers but not surpassing 21 or by having the dealer ‘s cards exceed 21. Each card in a deck has a specific value. 2 through 10 are all worth their face value, jacks, queens, and kings are all worth 10, and aces can be worth either 1 or 11. The value of your hand is simply the sum of all the card values in your hand. For example, a jack and a 9 is a hand of 19, whereas an ace and a 6 is a hand of either 7 or 17. The best hand in the game is blackjack. This is where your first two cards are an ace and any card with a 10 value. This hand will always either beat or tie with the dealer.

Blackjack is played around a semi-circle table, normally seating around five or six players with the addition of the dealer. Different tables offer different minimum bets from as little as $2 to as much as $100. After the hand is shuffled, hands are dealt starting at first base (the seat directly to the left of the dealer) and moving clockwise to third base (the seat to the right of the dealer). Each player is dealt one card initially and then a second. During this process, the dealer deals himself two cards, with one card face-up and the other face-down.

How to Hit or Stand in Blackjack

Once all the cards are dealt, each player decides what they want to do next, going clockwise from the dealer around the table. Players get to decide whether to hit, stand, double down, split, surrender, and/or take insurance. If the player wants to hit (get dealt another card) they tap their fingers on the table. If the player wants to stand (stay with your current sum), they wave their hands over the cards. The dealer will always be the last to act, giving them a certain advantage. If you let the sum of your cards surpass 21 you bust and automatically lose the hand.

Keep exploring the site to find more information on splitting, doubling down, insurance, etiquette, strategy, soft hands, hard hands, house rules, single vs. multi deck, and house advantage for blackjack.

If you think you are ready to play a practice blackjack game then check out our free game. You will be ready in time to sit at  Las Vegas Casinos or play blackjack online at top online casinos.