1 Internet Casinos >> How to Play Blackjack >> Blackjack Basic Strategy

Blackjack which was originally called (“twenty one”) in which the objective is to get a total of 21 or as near to it as possible.

All picture cards are valued at 10, and Ace for the player is either one or eleven, but for the dealer it is always eleven.

A natural blackjack is an Ace and a ten, or a picture.

Cards two to ten are at face value.

Each player receives two cards, and as the object of the game is to get to 21 or as close to 21 as possible, each player may “hit” which allows him or her to receive another card, and may keep hitting as long as the total is 21 or under.

If the player’s total cards exceed 21 he is “bust”, and he no longer takes part in the deal. The “hit” card is dealt face up. If a player has a total which he determines could be a winning hand against the bank, he “stands”, thus indicating to the dealer that he does not require any more cards.

A player may “double down” i.e. he can receive one card face down, and double his original bet. A player may “split” his hand if he has two cards of the same value, and if it is advisable to split, thus doubling his original wager.

If a player splits two Aces, and gets a 10 or a picture card, this is not regarded as blackjack, but only 21. You may split only once.

If a dealer deals himself an Ace up card, a player is offered voluntary “insurance”, if the dealer gets blackjack. If this happens, the insurance bet gets a return of two to one.