How to play Blackjack -
Black Jack or 21 is one of the most popular casino games. Each player is dealt 2 cards. The
player is trying to get a card total of 21 without going over. Each card has a
value equal to it's rank 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10. Picture cards count as 10 (J,Q,K)
and Aces count as either 1 or 11 (whichever helps the player more).
Basics of the game:
Each player and the dealer are dealt 2 cards. In many casino's, the players
cards are dealt face up and in others the players cards are dealt face down
(it's a matter of preference but I prefer casino's where I can touch the
cards).The dealers cards will ALWAYS be dealt with one card face up. .If a
player is dealt a hand totaling 21 (A w/ 10,J,Q,K) then they have Black Jack.
Assuming that the dealer does not have Black Jack, the player automatically wins
and is paid 3/2 odds or $3.00 for every $2.00 that was wagered.
If the dealer up card is showing an Ace, the dealer will ask if anyone wants
insurance. Insurance is a bet where you are wagering that the dealer has 21.
Insurance is only available when the dealer is showing an Ace. It pays 2 to 1.
(Generally, Insurance is not a good bet but it is acceptable practice to protect
a strong hand (19 or 20). A player who has Black Jack can declare "even
money" which is the same as taking insurance.
Basic Plays"
Stand: If a player believes that the total of his 2 cards is closer to
21 than the dealers 2 cards, the player can elect to stand. Once a player
stands, they will not receive any more cards from the dealer.
Hit: If a players 2 cards total less than 21, that player can
"hit" or take another card. The dealer will continue to deal that
player cards until the player stands (stops taking cards) or busts (has a total
greater than 21)
Double Down: A player can elect to double his bet and take only one
additional card. This is typically done if the players first 2 cards equals 10
or 11.
Split: If a player is dealt 2 identical cards, it may be favorable to
"split" them - the player separates the two cards and places a second
bet equal to the original bet. This is now two separate hands. The dealer will
give the player a second card for each hand. The player can then stand, hit,
double down or split.
note: Most casino's only allow you to take one card if
you split aces
Check the rules for each casino about being able to
double down after splitting.
Here is the layout of a typical Black Jack table:
Multi-Deck- Basic Strategy
This chart is for Black Jack games using four to eight decks. The dealer
stands on soft 17 and double after splitting is allowed.
Dealer's Hand is on top
Player's Hand on left side.
Hard Totals
| Hard Totals |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
| 8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 9 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 11 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
| 12 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 13 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 15 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 17-20 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
Soft Totals
| Soft Totals |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
| A 2 |
H |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A 3 |
H |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A 4 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A 5 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A 6 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A 7 |
S |
D |
D |
D |
D |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
| A 8 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| A 9 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
Pair Splitting (DAS)
| Pairs |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
| 2 2 |
P * |
P * |
P |
P |
P |
P |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 3 3 |
P * |
P * |
P |
P |
P |
P |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 4 4 |
H |
H |
H |
P |
P |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 5 5 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 6 6 |
P* |
P |
P |
P |
P |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 7 7 |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 8 8 |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
| 9 9 |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
S |
P |
P |
S |
S |
| 10's |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| A's |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
* HIT = If double after splitting is not allowed.
Key: H = Hit S = Stand D =
Double P = Split
Good Luck, and enjoy playing Black Jack
