| TOP 10 ONLINE CASINOS |
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| BLACKJACK RULES AND STRATEGIES |
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The Blackjack game uses six decks of cards, which are shuffled after each round.
The dealer stands on soft 17. The player may split up to 3 times.
Doubling down after splitting is allowed. Two aces may be split once, only one card is dealt afterwards.
The picture cards and tens count as 10, cards 2 through 9 their face value. Aces count as 1 or 11.
The suit is not significant.
The highest hand in Blackjack is an ace and any 10 point card, this is called a "Blackjack".
The player wins if his hand has more points than the dealer, without going over 21.
If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win as much as you have wagered.
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A winning Blackjack pays 3 to 2, assuming that the dealer does not also have a Blackjack.
If both player and dealer have a Blackjack the bet is a push, and the money wagered will be returned to the player.
A hand with a value over 21 is called a bust and automatically loses.
If the player's and dealer's hand have an equal point value, it is a push, and the bet is returned to the player.
A round of Blackjack begins by placing a bet in the box in front of the player.
Then two face up cards are dealt to the player, while one face up and one face down card is dealt to the dealer.
If the dealer shows any 10 point card, the dealer will immediately check the face down card for a possible Blackjack.
If the dealer shows an ace, insurance will be offered to the player for the half of the original bet.
Insurance pays 2 to 1 in the case that the dealer has a Blackjack.
If the player has a Blackjack while the dealer shows an ace, then the player has the option of taking even money.
By taking even money, the player will eliminate the risk of a push by receiving 1 to 1 instead of 3 to 2 Blackjack payoff.
If neither the player or the dealer have a Blackjack, the following choices are available to the player:
STAND - The player does not wish any more cards.
HIT - The player requests one card.
DOUBLE - If only 2 cards are dealt, the player may request a third card while doubling the original wager.
SPLIT - If the player's first 2 cards are of the same point value, the player may request to split them into two hands.
The dealer must draw cards until he has at least 17, and must stand at 17 or higher.
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Blackjack Strategy
Mathematicians and Blackjack experts have used computer simulations and statistical analyses to try to find a way
to beat the house at Blackjack.
Through their studies, they have determined a basic Blackjack strategy that gives
the player the best odds against the house.
This basic Blackjack strategy helps the player make decisions about when
to hit and when to stand.
By playing this basic Blackjack strategy, the player can play on nearly even terms with the house.
This basic Blackjack strategy is the starting point for more-advanced card-counting strategies professional Blackjack players
use to gain an advantage on the house.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
Below is the basic Blackjack strategy for the typical rules found at online casinos. While you can't beat the house in the long term
using this Blackjack strategy alone, it does reduce the house's advantage considerably.
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| Your hand |
Dealer's up Card |
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
| 5, 6, 7, 8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 9 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 11 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
| 12 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 13, 14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 15, 16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 17, 18, 19, 20 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Your hand |
Dealer's up Card |
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
| Soft 13, 14 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| Soft 15, 16 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| Soft 17 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| Soft 18 |
S |
D |
D |
D |
D |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
| Soft 19, 20 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Your hand |
Dealer's up Card |
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
| A, A |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
| 2-2, 3-3 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 4-4 |
H |
H |
H |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 5-5 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 6-6 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 7-7 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 8-8 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
| 9-9 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
S |
SP |
SP |
S |
S |
| 10-10 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
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Card counting systems
A number of Blackjack players have enjoyed success at beating the house by using card-counting systems.
Card-counting systems are based on the principle that the make-up of a deck of cards changes as cards are played.
Analysis has shown that a deck is in the player's favor when it has more ten-count cards in it. The reason the deck
favors the player is because the player has a better chance of getting Blackjack which pays 3 to 2, more money than an
average win.
By assigning a simple value such as +1 for high cards and -1 for low cards, a card counter can roughly determine
the ratio of high cards to low cards remaining in the deck at anytime during play. When the deck contains more high cards and the odds are in
his favor, he increases the amount he bets so he can win more.
When the deck isn't favorable, he bets the minimum so he loses less.
The count also affects his decisions on when to hit, stand, double and split.
Note that virtually all online casinos shuffle the cards after each round. This prevents players from using their computer to keep a count,
and get an edge on the house. At online casinos, your best bet is to stick with basic Blackjack strategy.
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