Blackjack is one of the most popular games to play in Vegas. The game is played by two players, and the goal is to get the dealer to bust. A blackjack is a hand of twenty-one that includes a card valued at a number greater than the dealer’s. In some casinos, the payoff for a blackjack is six to five, while others offer the standard three to two.
Blackjack can be played with either a single deck of cards or with multiple decks. There are four different types of blackjack. Each is similar in many ways. However, each has its own set of rules and bonuses. Generally, each player has a separate game with the dealer.
The best possible hand in Blackjack is an Ace with a face card. This is referred to as “natural,” and the best payout is usually 3:2. For the uninitiated, this is a great hand to have, especially if the player is willing to ante up. If the player has an ace and a face card, they’ll be paid even money if they can beat the dealer’s hand.
Insurance, in blackjack, is a bet on the dealer getting blackjack, and pays at least 2 to 1. It costs half as much as your original wager. If the dealer doesn’t bust, your money is safe, and if he does, you get your money back in a big way.
The most impressive hand is the natural, which involves the aforementioned ace, a face card, and a ten. Although it is a bit odd, it is the most valuable of all the hands in the game.
Blackjack isn’t always a one-on-one game, and it is easy to find a table with players staking as little as fifty bucks. Players have a few options, including early surrender. By early, we mean before the dealer checks his hole card. Early surrender allows the player to forfeit a quarter of his wager before the dealer checks his card, a strategy that can save the player from a bad situation.
Another strategy to keep an eye out for is the Charlie rule. If the dealer has a pair of aces, he may bust. This is a rare occurrence, but it happens. Unless you can predict the dealer’s hole card, you might want to avoid this strategy. Alternatively, if the dealer has a pair of aces and a face card, you might as well take the easy way out and leave your money on the table.
While there is no guarantee that you will win any particular blackjack game, you should at the very least know how to pick a table that is hot and how to spot the most reputable casinos. Lastly, don’t be tempted to talk to the dealer. He can be a bit of a buzzkill if you’re too loud, but it’s not like you’ll be in his good graces anyway. With that said, you can blend into the crowd a little more if you speak less.
