Online Casino Game Guide: Blackjack

What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a game of chance that requires you to test your skill against the Dealer. It is played with one or more 52-card decks, and this will depend on the type of blackjack game you are engaging in. There are many types of blackjack including: Atlantic City, Vegas Downtown, Vegas Strip, Multi-hand and Spanish blackjack. These variants are all played using the basic blackjack rules with a few additional guidelines.

The Aim of the Game
The objective in blackjack is to beat the Dealer's hand by either getting a better, stronger hand or you win if the Dealer's hand goes bust. The term 'Blackjack' refers to when the winning hand contains an Ace and a card with a value of ten. This is the strongest hand in Blackjack, and automatically stands. It is a hand that cannot be beaten, but be warned it can be matched so that means you should be mindful when wagering high bets.

How to Play Blackjack
All face cards in the deck, such as Jacks, Kings and Queens have a numeric value of 10. Aces can have a value of either 1 or 11. Cards are usually dealt face-up and it's up to the player to decide what card value is more beneficial to his/her hand. If one's hand does not exceeded 21 after receiving eleven cards, this hand automatically stands till the final round, and the Dealer has to play his hand. The Dealer has to stand on all hands that have a total value of 17 and has to draw on all hands with the value of 16. When a player's hand and the Dealer's hand tie, this is called a Push. You are then paid back your original bet in the case of a push. If both the Dealer's and player's hand have Blackjack, this is also considered a push and the player is paid out their original wagered amount. If the Dealer gets Blackjack after a player has split or doubled, the player's entire bet - both the original and the doubled or split amounts are lost.

Tip
You may draw up to nine additional cards to make a hand of eleven cards, provided the value of your hand does not exceed 21.

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