Blackjack is a card game in which you compete against the dealer. The objective is to beat the dealer by getting a hand total that is higher than his or hers. There are a number of strategies that can be used to increase your chances of winning. But you don’t have to be a math whiz to learn the basics of the game.
The first step is to place your bets in the betting areas marked on the table. Once the bets are placed, the dealer will deal each player two cards face up. You can then decide to “hit” and draw more cards, or to stand and keep your current hand. Once you have decided how to play your hand, the dealer will reveal his or her own card and make a decision. If the dealer has a face-up card that is an ace, players can choose to place “insurance” bets of up to half of their original wagers. Insurance pays out 2 to 1 if the dealer has a blackjack.
If you hit your first two cards, and they add up to 21 points or better, you have a blackjack. But there are several other ways to win in blackjack, too. To improve your odds of winning, it’s important to understand when to hit and when to stand.
When you have a mediocre hand, such as 16 against the dealer’s 10, your best option is to stand. But you shouldn’t be afraid to hit if you think you can make a more valuable hand. For example, many players seem to hit the wall at 16 and don’t consider hitting when the dealer has a 7. This is a mistake. You’ll lose nearly 80 percent of the time if you stand, and you’ll make 17 or better about a quarter of the time by hitting.
You may also double down if you are confident that your current two cards will be better than the dealer’s. To do so, simply extend your palm near the cards and gently scratch it, as if you were “scratching an itch.” The dealer will then deal you one additional card, face up. You can continue to draw cards until you reach the desired hand value or bust.
The dealer will pay out winning bets and take losing bets according to predetermined rules. The dealers will sweep any bets that have an ace showing and will pay out any insurance bets at the end of the hand. Players can also make a Bonus Spin side bet, which is fixed at $5 and spins a virtual wheel allowing players to win various payouts or the top jackpot award. If you don’t like the idea of paying for this extra bet, then you should choose another game.