The Basics of Playing Blackjack

Series Summary

Blackjack, or 21, is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. The players and dealer are dealt two cards and then they choose to accept more cards or stay with what they have. The object is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over and have a higher number than the dealer after you choose not to accept any more cards. The popularity of the game is due not only to the simplicity of the rules, but in its unique combination of luck and skill. In this series of free video blackjack lessons you will learn tips and techniques that will give you an edge on the house the next time you are at the tables. Expert Daniel Nell will explain in detail all of the basics of the game and show you that anyone can win. You will learn about odds and how they change depending upon the number of players at the table and how to make the tough decisions when you are in control of the “bust” card as well as unique strategies from our expert... a former dealer!

Video Transcript

"In this series of clips, we're going to be talking about the game 21, or more commonly known as blackjack. Blackjack uses a single deck or up to 6 decks of standard playing cards, which has 52 cards in a deck. You'll have an ace, you'll have your standard face cards, and then you'll have all of your regular cards 2-10. The 2-10 are worth their value. Your face cards are all going to be worth 10 and your ace is going to be work either 1 or 11 depending on your hand. Players bet in blackjack using standard casino poker chips and there's always a mimimum at a table, so you want to make sure you understand what that minimum is when you're betting. Now the goal of blackjack is to be the closest to 21 without going over or busting. A player is going to bet or fold depending on their hand and what they see the dealer having. Now it is a game strategy and a game of odds. That's something we'll be talking about in later clips. For now, know that each player is delt 2 cards and they're going to make a bet based upon that. They can hit, which means get another card. They can stay or stand, which means they get no more cards. They can push, which means they have the same as the dealer. They can double down, which means they simply double their bet and only get one more card rather than being able to continue get cards until they feel that they are closest to 21 or they have busted or they can split. If they have 2 of the same cards, they can create 2 hands by simply splitting the cards, equaling their bet and playing those as 2 separate hands. We'll get more into detail in later clips, but that's the basic of 21."