Understanding The Basics to Play Correctly

Learning the basic blackjack rules is imperative to actually winning money at the game. Unlike many other casino games that rely almost entirely upon luck, this one has a house edge that can be reduced to less than 0.5% when the rules are understood and a solid strategy is employed. Although it is easy enough to learn how to play blackjack, it takes plenty of time, patience and practice to truly master it.

The Basics

Blackjack rules are simple enough to understand. The game can be played with anywhere from one to eight standard decks of 52 cards, and the individual only plays against the house - not the other people at the table. After placing a wager, the player and dealer both receive two cards. Both of the individual's cards are dealt face-up, but the dealer gets one card face-up and the other face-down. The gambler must then make choices in an effort to create a hand that beats the dealer's hand without going over a total of 21. If he or she can successfully create a hand that is exactly 21 points in value, this is called a blackjack. However, a 'natural' blackjack which is created with the first two dealt cards pays out the most at 3:2.

Additional Rules

There are some other things that individuals should keep in mind as the game progresses. Once the first two cards have been dealt, the gambler can hit (take another card) or stand (stop taking cards) until he or she is happy with the hand value. There are many strategies out there, but the best thing to do is understand the odds of the game. The odds are determined by the number of decks in the shoe and the cards that have been played. Other strategies exist for things such as splitting, doubling down, taking insurance bets and more. These are designed to help players better learn the game and win more often. Of course, it is recommended that those who are new to blackjack take the time to stick to standard, traditional gameplay for a while before attempting advanced strategies.