BlackJack can easily be called one of the most popular entertainments in casinos in the world. The game is built on the principles of gambling and involves winning or losing money. It came to the post-Soviet space not so long ago. Therefore, many still do not know its rules.
A close relative of the game "Point"
We have all heard at least once in our lives about such a game as “Point”. And thanks to Mikhail Krug, we also know that a stalemate is when the sum of cards exceeds 21. “BlackJack” also aims to score the same amount of points, but the principle of counting cards is slightly different.
The game involves a dealer (aka croupier) and one or more players. The main task is to score more points than the dealer, but not to exceed the maximum allowed amount of cards. The game also has a special field - priority combinations that win if the number of points is the same.
The player has relatively greater freedom of behavior during the game. He can draw cards or refuse them, he can bifurcate single-valued cards and play with two pairs at once. But at the same time, there are always quite high chances that a person will lose to the dealer. Therefore, bets are paid with a large coefficient.
Classic rules
It differs from the game “Point” in the face value of the cards. How to count in BlackJack becomes clear almost immediately. All pictures are worth 10 points. All other cards correspond to their number. An Ace can be either 1 or 11. It depends on the agreement or casino rules.
The game is played simultaneously from 6 decks of 52 cards. This complicates the task of counting eliminated cards and thinking about possible combinations, and therefore the chances of winning. The deck is not shuffled during the game. Played cards are put aside. As a rule, dealers make a notch in the deck, which indicates two-thirds of its volume. When the game comes to it, the played cards are returned to the deck and shuffled. Any other manipulation of the deck is prohibited by the rules. BlackJack must be as honest as possible and exclude the possibility of cheating.
At the gaming table, cards are first laid out for the players. After each of them has played their turn, the dealer takes his cards. The set ends when the total is equal to or greater than 17 points. Next, the number of points for all players is compared and money is paid out.
Possible combinations
In casinos, many gambling people choose BlackJack. This game captivates with many winning combinations. The main rule is to score 21 points. They are the ones who give the right to a guaranteed victory or a draw. BlackJack itself is a combination of an Ace and a Ten. This is the strongest option, which gives an advantage over other combinations with a score of 21. “BlackJack” allows you to draw one card if the sum is less than the winning one. But at the same time, there is always a chance to go overboard and definitely lose in any situation with the dealer.
In addition to the combination of ten and ace, any combination of an ace with a picture is considered winning, since they also have a value of 10 points. If two aces appear, then in most casinos one of them has a face value of 1 and gives the right to draw one card to increase the number of points.
All other combinations are counted according to the number of points indicated on them. So, for example, a ten and a six give 16 points, which allows you to get one card, but it must not be older than a five, otherwise there will be a bust and a loss.
Game options
Most gaming establishments try to follow the classic rules. According to them, BlackJack foresees several options for the development of events.
It all starts with betting and dealing the first card. It is played openly. After everyone else, the dealer always puts the card in for himself. How the game goes further depends on this.
By issuing the second card, the dealer switches to an individual game. Until the third card is opened, you can refuse to continue and take back half of the bet.
If you get two cards of equal value (for example, tens), you can divide them into two pairs and ask for a card for each of them. In this case, a separate bet is made for each pair, and the initial one is not applied. To get a third card, the money bet must be doubled.
The game also has the opportunity to insure against 21 from the dealer. The bet is placed in the appropriate field and is considered played if this amount has been collected. If the dealer doesn’t win or goes too far, the bet goes to the bank.
After all players have received their cards, the dealer automatically draws his own cards until he receives a total of 17 points or more.
About bets and their quantity
Each casino always has its own rules. "BlackJack" classical rules is played at a special table with 7 betting boxes. One player can place bets on one box or on several at the same time. In this case, the dealer will play with him as with several players.
At each table there is always a minimum and maximum bet. It needs to be taken into account before you sit down to play.
Several players can bet on the same box. Their bet amount must not exceed the maximum at the table. At the same time, other bettors do not have the right to influence the course of the game. All decisions are made by the main player who receives the cards. The others just watch.
The betting odds in the game are different: one to one, one to two, two to three. It all depends on the combination of cards and the course of the game. For example, a winning bet in which the player has more than the dealer is two to three.
"BlackJack" in world culture
In certain circles, the full-length pornographic film “Devil's BlackJack” caused a stir. But that's not the only time this game has acted as a plot device.
People's addiction to gambling card games has been highlighted more than once in books and films. Many people were brought to critical condition simple rules. BlackJack, despite its simplicity, relatively rarely provides a real chance to win. The films “21”, “The Gambler”, “The Last Casino” were made about this. And the phrase “I’ll build an amusement park with whores and BlackJack” has become a cult favorite on the Internet. Therefore, we can safely say that “BlackJack” is a special culture, which is not difficult to touch, but to resist being sucked in is not at all easy.
In this material we will tell the reader how to play American blackjack. Let's start with the simplest thing - the meaning of the game. The player needs to collect a combination of 21 points, and, it is worth noting, it can only be collected from the first two cards that are given to the player.
A little about the differences
In American blackjack, the dealer deals himself 2 cards, one of which is hidden from the player and placed face down. If open card has a face value of 10 points, the dealer checks his second card for blackjack.
Insurance. If the dealer opens an ace (one card, remember, remains closed), then in this case the player can insure against blackjack from the dealer. Insurance is half the bet, which works out in a ratio of 2 to 1. If a player receives blackjack, then according to the rules of the game he has the right to receive a payout of 1 to 1 until the dealer reveals the cards.
If the player wishes, he can double the bet after the first deal of cards. If a player has a bust, he loses in any case. According to the rules of the game of American blackjack, you can split the box into two hands - this is done only if the player received two cards of the same value. Please note that cards in one box are divided only once. If a player splits, then he has the opportunity to double (except for aces).
According to the rules, after a double you can get no more than 1 card. The dealer will reveal his cards after the player makes a final decision on all his own boxes. The dealer plays only from 17 points.
About cards
- The value of cards from 2 to 10 is determined by their denominations.
- Jack, Queen and King bring the player 10 points in American blackjack
- An Ace brings the player 1 or 11 points (depending on other cards)
About combinations
If the dealer's up card is 10 or 11 points, then he must check his cards to see if the combination is blackjack. If the dealer has 21 points, the player loses. The bet is returned to the player if both he and the dealer get a blackjack. Provided that the player’s number of points exceeds the dealer’s total number of points (cannot be more than 21), in this case the gambling establishment pays the player a winnings of 1:1. Collected blackjack is paid at odds of 3 to 2.
If the dealer or the player has a bust, the dealer or, accordingly, the player loses. There are no special bonus bets in American blackjack, unlike other varieties.
This article is intended for those who are still new to the game of blackjack. We will look at the basic aspects of the game, from the attributes, terminology that every player should know, to the main variations of the game of blackjack.
Blackjack table
In most casinos, the blackjack table is covered with green cloth and seats up to 7 players (some casinos also offer 5-seat blackjack tables). On one side of the table there is a dealer, and around him there are 7 players. Each player can take a seat and make one bet, or make three bets and receive three pairs of cards.
Dealer
The dealer represents the casino during the game. He will stand at the table for several rounds and be responsible for shuffling and dealing the cards. They are also responsible for collecting the losers' bets and paying out the winners.
Cards
Blackjack can be played with a traditional 52-card deck, or the number of decks can be increased to 2, 4, 5, 6, or 8 decks.
When playing with one or two decks, the dealer shuffles the cards and invites one of the players to split the deck to eliminate card counting. The dealer will hold the cards in his hands and deal them to the players. After each round, the cards are shuffled.
When playing blackjack with multiple decks, the dealer places the shuffled cards in the shoe. The topmost card is usually eliminated from the game.
After all bets have been made, the dealer begins to deal the cards. Each player is dealt two cards face up. And since the dealer is also involved in the game, he also gets cards. However, one of his cards is face down.
After all the cards have been dealt, the dealer approaches each player and asks about his next move.
In most casinos, players are not allowed to touch the cards. Only the dealer has the right to touch them to avoid any tampering, substitution or any other activity that may affect the fairness of the game.
Purpose of the game
The main goal of playing blackjack is to beat the dealer. It doesn't matter what combinations of cards other players have, or whether someone has a better hand than you. The only thing that matters is that the sum of your points is greater than the sum of the dealer's points. The best combination when playing blackjack is considered to be the one that is valued at 21. If the player has more than 21 points in his hands, he is automatically eliminated from the game.
The meaning of the cards
Cards in blackjack are valued according to their face value. An Ace can be worth 1 or 11 points, while a Jack, Queen and King can be worth 10 points. The remaining cards are valued from 2 to 9.
Soft and hard hand
A hand that is missing an Ace or is worth 1 point is considered tough. And if an ace is valued at 11 points, then such a combination will be called a soft hand.
Dealer Rules
In any blackjack game, the dealer's actions are determined by the rules of the game. They cannot independently make decisions about what move needs to be made at a given moment. The basic rules for dealers are laid out so that every player at the table can read them. For example, the rule “The dealer stops at 17”. This means that if the dealer's card total is 17, then he cannot take an additional card, even if they see that some players have a card total of 18 or more.
Should I take an extra card or stop?
After a player receives his two cards, he has the right to draw an additional card and increase their total hand value, or not to draw cards and play only with the two cards that were dealt. The player draws additional cards until he scores 21 points and wins, or 22 or more and automatically loses.
Doubling
This option allows the player to double their initial bet in exchange for the opportunity to receive only one additional card. For example, the dealer's upcard is 4, you have a 3 and a 6, giving you a total of 9 points. This is the ideal situation for doubling down. You increase your bet and hope for a 10-point card that will give you 19 points. The dealer can very easily overshoot or stop at 17. Either way, you win.
Separation
Splitting also allows you to increase your bet after the initial hand. If you have paired cards in your hands, you can split them into two hands. You will need to double your initial bet to cover the second hand. Each hand will be played separately. A good pair for splitting is 8s. Two 8s give you a total of 16 points, so if you split them you have a chance of getting a 10, which would be worth 18 points and most likely a win.
You can use one single hand or several hands at the same time. The dealer gives you and himself two. Depending on the variation of blackjack, you will be able to see either one of the dealer's cards, or both cards will be closed to you. Each one in blackjack has its own denomination. Cards with (jacks, queens and ) give 10 points, the value of the remaining cards corresponds to their value, and the ace can be equal to 1 or 11 at the request of the player.
The goal of the game is to collect a combination of cards with a total of 21 points or as close as possible to 21. You can get any number of cards for the first two, however, it is important not to overdo it. If your hand total exceeds 21, you automatically lose. The highest hand in the game is . A blackjack combination is the first two cards with a total of 21 points (for example, a ten and an ace). The player with always wins the round.
Land-based blackjack is usually played with not one, but 6-8 decks. It is worth noting that the fewer decks that take part in the game, the higher your chances of winning. The dealer in blackjack must adhere to certain rules. For example, he must draw cards until the hand total reaches 17 points, and then he must stop. If the sums of your cards and the dealer's cards are equal, then a draw is declared and your bet is returned to you. If your amount is higher than the dealer's amount, or the dealer's, then you win 1 to 1. If you are lucky enough to get a blackjack combination, then you win at a rate of 3 to 2.
1) Blackjack card game originates from France
2) Modern casinos offer various variations blackjack
3) The main goal of a player in blackjack is to score 21 points and not go overboard
Foreign card games in Russia they are not nearly as widespread as domestic ones. If poker is more or less known thanks to a number of TV shows and applications for social networks, then the rules of blackjack still remain quite vague for many.
Instructions
Participants are dealt two cards; Lastly, the dealer puts two cards to himself. The cards are placed face down on the table, so everyone around them can see them. The dealer has only one card out of two open. Players at the same table do not compete in any way: for each, the game is head-to-head with the dealer.
In order to win, you need to score more points than the dealer. The calculation is as follows: cards from 2 to 10 bring the number of points corresponding to their face value. King, queen and jack are worth 10 points. An ace has two meanings: until the total exceeds 21 points, the ace counts as 10 - then it becomes one. “Blackjack” means that the player ends up with 21 (Ace + 10 / Queen / Jack / King) on the first deal. Suit does not play a role in this game.
Let's say you get a 10 and a 2, and the dealer's up card is a king. You should think like this: both you and the dealer have a card with a face value of 10, but the second card is probably higher than your “two”, so the dealer’s position is better. On the first move, you are allowed to abandon the game and take half your bet back. Otherwise, each turn you can: 1) take another card; 2) say “everything” and give the game to the dealer. If you take a card that causes your total to exceed 21, you automatically lose.
The game involves six decks of cards of 52 sheets, for a total of 312 cards, from deuce to ace. The croupier plays the game using a special device where he places a large deck called Shoe or in Russian “block”, “boot”.
The goal of playing Blackjack is to get points as close as possible to 21 and beat the dealer. If the sum of points is more than 21, then the player immediately loses his bet. This combination is called “bust” or “too much”.
Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth 10 points. All these cards have the same value in the game and are all called “tens”. An Ace, at the player's discretion, can be counted as 1 or 11 points. The remaining cards are counted according to their value (two - 2 points, three - 3, nine - 9 points, etc.). In the game of Blackjack, the suits of the cards do not matter.
The Blackjack combination is an Ace and a Ten. It is considered the highest and in its importance surpasses any other cards, even if their total is 21 points.
On a standard Blackjack gaming table there are seven game boxes where players place chips before the hand begins. Each player has the right to place bets on one or several boxes. By agreement, several players can place their bets on one box, and the dealer is obliged to find out from the players which of them will make the decision, or is the “owner of the box”.
Each gaming table in the casino has a special sign that informs players about the maximum and minimum bets. For example: $10-$200 or $25-$500. The sum of all bets on one box should not exceed the maximum set on the casino table.
Progress of the game
Before starting to deal cards, the dealer invites players to place bets: place chips on the boxes. After all bets are made, the dealer begins to deal one card per box, and puts the card to himself, then again strips the players one card each. All cards are dealt openly. At the end of the hand, it turns out that there are two cards on each playing box, and the dealer has one.
Now the dealer begins to “serve the boxes” - work with each player in turn. The cards of other players at the table do not matter to the player. He plays against the dealer. Two cards is the initial combination, which can be improved by collecting additional cards, then the dealer will make the same set for himself.
If the player is not satisfied with the two initial cards, then he asks the dealer to open another one. Having assessed the current situation, the player has the right to ask for another card, etc. If the sum of points on the box is more than 21, then the dealer immediately takes the player’s bet. This box is considered a loser.
When collecting cards for the box, the player must not forget that an ace in Blackjack can go for either 1 or 11 points. For example, a five and an ace give a total of either 6 or 16 points. If the next card is an eight, the player's point total becomes 14 (but not 14 or 24).
If the amount of cards on the player’s box turns out to be higher than the dealer’s, then his bet is paid at a rate of 1:1, if the player immediately gets Black Jack (ace and ten), then the bet is paid at 1.5:1 or 3:2 .
If the sum of the dealer's and player's cards is the same, then the game ends in a draw - the bets remain in place. A draw in the international language of Blackjack is called: Push, Stand off or Stay.
When the dealer begins to draw cards for himself, he acts automatically. He must take cards for himself until the total points are 17 or more. If the dealer has busted, then he pays all the bets on the table, but if not, then his sum of cards is compared with each game box separately.
If there is a bust on all boxes, then the dealer does not deal cards to himself. After distribution, the cards are collected and placed in a special chipper, which is located on the gaming table to the right of the dealer. The game continues until a special plastic card comes out of the shoe. When the dealer makes a mix of cards, before putting them in the “shoe”, he must cut off about a third of the deck with a special card. It turns out that about 100 cards do not take part in the game. After the release of a special card, the dealer must finish the deal and shuffle the deck again or “make a shuffle.”
Player special abilities
Having received the first two cards, the player has the right to double his initial bet or “double”. On a “double” he can only receive one card. It is profitable for a player to double if he has 9, 10 or 11 points on the box. There is a high probability that a ten may come and then you will get a good amount of cards, and the bets, if you win, will be paid double.
When a player has two cards of the same value on the box, he has the right to split them or “split” them. To do this, he needs to place a bet equal to the original one, the cards are spread apart, and on one box there are two sets of cards and two equal bets. If a card of the same value comes out again for a split, then they can be divided again in the same way. You can make a maximum of three “splits” on one box.
A special rule applies when splitting aces. “Split” on aces can be done only once, and the dealer automatically deals only one card at a time. There cannot be a Black Jack combination on splits. An ace and a ten give 21 points and are paid if you win 1:1.
If the dealer gets an ace during the deal, he is obliged to offer the players insurance against Blackjack. If the dealer gets a Black Jack, then the insurance pays 2:1, but if not, the insurance loses. The amount of insurance should not be larger size half the bet on boxing.
If the dealer gets an Ace, and the player has Black Jack, then the dealer is obliged to offer the player “the same money” or even money. The player has the right to receive his winnings, albeit in the amount of 1:1.
If a player does not immediately like his combination of cards on the box. Then he can immediately abandon the game, admitting defeat and losing half of the original bet. Refusal to play or Surrender cannot be done when the dealer has an Ace.
