How to Play Blackjack at a Casino

This article explains blackjack etiquette and gives easy strategies on how to win.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Money

1. Plan how much money you can afford to lose. Everyone hopes to win, but understand that the odds are against you. Think of the money you spend playing blackjack as entertainment with the added bonus of a chance to win money.

2. Find a table that has a minimum bet you want to play with. Usually $5 is the lowest. A good plan is to take enough money to play 10 hands at the minimum bet (example if minimum bet is $5, have at least $50). Blackjack is a game of swings, so having enough money to cover a string of bad hands can keep you going long enough until you can catch a hot streak.

3. If you are new or inexperienced at blackjack, start with a low minimum bet table. You can always increase your bets if you want as you get going. Lower stakes tables tend to have people who are less experienced and more tolerant of rookie mistakes. If you are nervous, find a table with fewer people so you don't feel crowded.

4. When you sit down and are ready to play, put the amount of money you want to bet on the table in front of you for the dealer to change. Do not try to hand it to the dealer. The dealer will give you chips for your money.

5. Put the amount you want to bet in the circle on the table (must be at least the table minimum). Once dealing starts do not touch your chips, the casino will think you're trying to cheat.

6. Each player is dealt two cards face up. The dealer will deal herself one card face up, and one card face down. The object of the game is to have a higher hand than the dealer without going over 21. Anyone going over 21 loses, including the dealer. You are not playing against the other players at the table, just the dealer. If the dealer busts (goes over 21) everyone who is still in play wins.

7. All cards with numbers on them (2 thru 10) are worth the value on the card. All face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10. Aces are worth 1 or 11 (you decide)

8. If your first two cards equal 21 (a face card and an Ace) and the dealer is not showing an ace you automatically win. Some casinos give you 1.5 times your bet for doing this (called Blackjack). If the dealer is showing an ace they will check on whether they have 21 before paying you (if the dealer ties you, you don't lose your bet, but you don't win either).

9. After the two cards are dealt, the dealer goes down the table asking whether you want to "stay" with your hand, or "hit" (ask for more cards). Your answer depends on what you have and what the dealer has.

10. Generally, the dealer stays on 17 and above (17 to 21) and hits (takes more cards) on 16 and under until he reaches 17 or higher, or busts (goes over 21 and loses). Anyone that busts before the dealer (who always goes last), automatically loses (even if the dealer later goes over 21).

11. Look at your cards as you decide to stay or hit. If you have 17 to 20 (remember 21 is an automatic win), always stay (take no more cards and wait for the dealers turn). These hands are pretty good and the dealer (depending on what he has) may have to stay on a number below what you have (making you win).

12. If you have 11 or under, always hit (take another card). You can never lose with 11 or below so why not take another card to see if you can get blackjack or a really good hand?

13. The key in blackjack is that there is almost a 1 in 3 chance of getting a card that is worth 10. Your strategy should be to always assume the next card you take (or that someone else will take) will be a 10.

14. If you have a 12 to 16, use the dealer' s hand as your guide on what to do. If he is showing a 7, 8, 9, 10, or face card you must assume the card that is hidden is a 10, and he has you beat (since he will stay because he has to and his hand is greater than yours). If the dealer is showing 6 and below, assuming once again his hidden card is a 10, the dealer will have to hit again (must hit on anything below 17). You will then assume the next card he takes is also a 10, which puts him over 21 and everyone wins.

15. During your turn to show that you want another card (aka hit) point at your card (don't ever touch your cards, which casinos don't like). If you want to stay with your palm facing down wave your hand across the table (in you area). Always do this on the table so the cameras above can see what you mean to do. These are the approved ways at the casino to stay or hit.

16. If you play things right you will minimize the houses advantage and hopefully get on a hot streak. I suggest that if you go above what you started with that you move this money asside so if you lose your winnings you at least can always leave with what you started with. Hopefully this article will give you some strategy to go along with luck. Finally always remember to have fun and stay positive as this makes it a more enjoyable experience. Happy gambling!

Tips & Warnings

• If you are dealt two Aces or two Eights always split your cards. To do this when it's your turn you say split and double your bet. This technique splits your cards into two separate hands and you will be dealt another card for each hand (so you will have two complete hands with two cards). You then play each hand as you would above. You can split any hand but you should always split Aces and Eights since you go from a bad starting hand to two potential good hands (either two hands of 18, or two black jacks, assuming you get a 10 for each hand)
• The other technicque to remember is doubling down. You can double down on any hand. This is done by saying "double down" and doubling your bet when it comes to your turn (you can only do this before your first hit). The dealer will give one additional card and you will play with this hand (you can no longer hit). You always double down when your first two cards equal 11 since the chances of getting a 10 and hitting black jack are very good.
• Many Casino gift shops sell a little wallet card that shows you how to play each hand based on what you have and what the dealer is showing. This is usually a good buy (usually very cheap) and in many cases can be brought to the table for reference.
• Keep in mind that the methods above are the preferred way to play. Also remember that your decisions can have ramifications for the rest of the table. If you hit when you aren't supposed to and take a card that may bust the dealer in big money game you may run into people who gumble about the way you play. In most cases take no head of them because remember it is your money and you can play how you want. Still keep in mind regular play as it will give you (and the table) the best chance to win.

[EarthMother]

on 9/28/2009 Great instructions on how to play blackjack. You should add some picturs of the cards with this article. Thanks so much. I have a friend that travels to lots of different gambling States and he makes a great extra income playing cards. Smile!