by Angelo Bucco
Blackjack is probably one of the favorite table games that you will find in Las Vegas. The main reason for this is because the gambler feels as if they are in more control over this game than a lot of other games. And it is a fact that the odds of beating the house are much higher than say craps or roulette. So it would stand to reason that online blackjack would be just as popular.
There really is no reason to shy away from the online version, it can be just as fun and exciting as the off line version. Even if you have never played the game before, you should be able to enjoy the game if you know a few things about it before beginning.
Whether you are experienced or not, you should enjoy the online version. There really is not much difference between the real game and the online version. The main difference is that you play it in the privacy of your own home.
When you enter one of the online blackjack rooms you will see that the tables are pretty much the same as in a real casino. There will be one dealer and anywhere from one player to five players. They also have your minimum and maximum bets allowed. Some tables start as low as one dollar minimum bet and can go as high as five hundred dollars for the maximum allowed.
Players make bets by clicking on their chips. After everyone is done, the dealer will deal the hand. Just like in the real game, players can not change their bets once the hand has begun. They can however; try to increase their winnings by splitting hands or doubling down on their hands.
Just like in the real game, each player plays one on one with the dealer trying to get 21 or the closest hand to it and at the same time the player is trying to beat the dealer. Should the first two cards you get equal 21 then you have a blackjack and you are automatically paid 1.5 times the amount that you bet and your turn ends. It is important to note that the dealer must hit a 17 no matter what the players have. So it is a good thing to try and judge how many cards you take and what the outcome might be for the dealer. Players always hope for the dealer to bust.
If your first two cards do not equal 21 then depending upon what your cards add up to, you will choose to either hit, take a card, or stand, no more cards wanted, you can keep hitting as long as you do not go over 21. Over 21 a player loses and it is called a bust.
One of the reasons why this game is so popular, is the fact that what a person decides to do not only affects their hand but it can affect the entire outcome of the game for everyone playing including the dealer.
It is always advisable to stand when you have any numbers like 17, 18, 19, 20 and of course 21. No matter what the dealers up card is. With other hands it gets a little more difficult and you need to really consider what the dealer is showing. A different example would be if you had if you have 13 through 16 and the dealer is showing 2 through 7 you should probably stand, but if they have 8 through Ace, you should take a hit. If you have a 12 and the dealer is showing a 2 or a 3 take a hit, if they have 4 through 6 stand and if they have 7 through Ace it might be safe to take a hit. When you have a hand that totals 4 through 11 you should always hit. When you have a soft hand, which is any hand with an Ace, things are different. If you have Ace and 8 through 10 always stand, no matter what the dealer is showing. If you have an Ace and a 7 you should only hit if the dealer is showing 9, 10 or an Ace. And if you have an Ace with 2 through 6, you should hit no matter what the dealer is showing.
When it comes to double downing you should be really careful with what the dealers hand is showing. First rule of thumb, you really should never double down on a 12, no matter what the dealer has. If you have an 11 always take a hit unless the dealer is showing an Ace. If you have a 10, always take a hit unless the dealer is showing a 10 or an Ace. Only hit on a 9 when the dealer is showing 3 through 6. Never double down on an 8.
If you have a soft hand, then doubling down is a bit different. If your hand consists of an Ace plus a 6 or 7, make sure to hit only when you see 3 thru 6 for dealers up card. Should you have an Ace with a 4 or 5 hit only if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6. If your hand is an Ace with a 2 or 3 hit only if the dealer has 5 or 6.
Splitting your hand is a good way to double your money, rules of thumb apply here as well. Always, always split Aces. Another important note, you should never split 10s or 5s. If you have 9s it is always advisable to split them if the dealer is showing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 9. It is safe to always split your 8s no matter what the dealer might be showing. Only split 7s and 6s if the dealer has 2 thru 7. Fours should only be split when the dealer has a 5 or 6 up and split 2 or 3 if the dealer has 2 thru 7.
Going for Insurance or Surrender is probably one thing that most seasoned players would advise against doing.
Even if the first time you play, you are not very successful. No need to give it up, after all it takes a while to perfect something. It sure will not happen overnight.
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