Blackjack 21 - Tips and Tricks

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In Blackjack, players compete against the dealer, not each other, using standard decks of 52 cards. Ignore the suits (clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades) and focus on the numerical values of the cards. Here's how you count those values:

Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10s = 10
2-9 = Face value
Ace = 1 or 11

You win when you draw cards that total closer to 21 than those held by the dealer. And you will collect 1 1/2 times the amount of your bet if your first two cards total 21 (an ace with any ten value card).

Each player, including the dealer, is dealt two cards. The dealer has one card up and one card down (in the hole). Natural Blackjack. Now look at your hand. If you have an Ace and any 10 value card (King, Queen, Jack or 10), you have a natural blackjack and have won! Immediately turn your cards face up and collect your winnings from the dealer, unless the dealer also had a blackjack. Most of the time your total will fall shy of 21. Now you will have to decide whether to 'hit' or 'stand.' If you want another card, scratch for a 'hit' and the dealer will deal you another card. You 'hit' when you feel your hand needs more points to be competitive. But if that next card takes you over 21 points, you go 'broke.' Should that happen, turn your cards face up to signify you're no longer in that game. Choosing to 'stand' means you're satisfied with your cards. You don't want any more. In that event, place your cards face down under your bet. After each player, moving from left-to-right, has had a chance to 'hit' or 'stand' the dealer will turn his/her down card face up. If the two cards total 16 or less, the dealer must draw. If the total is 17 or more, the dealer must stand.

'INSURANCE PAYS 2 TO l.' Whenever the dealer's 'up card' turns out to be an Ace, it is very possible that a hidden Blackjack awaits. 'INSURANCE' lets you protect yourself against that possibility to the extent of one-half your original wager. In effect, you're betting the dealer has the Blackjack. If he or she actually does, you're paid 2-to-1.

Special Words and Their Meanings.

BLACKJACK: Originally, any black Ace with a black Jack. Now an original hand containing an Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen or King) totaling '21.' Pays 3-2.

BROKE or BUST: Going over '21' with additional cards drawn to the original hand.

HARD TOTAL: A hand with no Aces or where the Ace is counted as '1.' Example, a King-9 counts as a hard '19.'

HIT or DRAW: Adding cards to your hand. Signal the dealer by making a slight movement toward you with your original two cards or a hand signal on face-up games.

INSURANCE: When the dealer shows an Ace as the upcard, you can bet up to one-half the amount of your original wager that the dealer has a Blackjack. Pays 2-1 if you've guessed right. If not, the dealer collects the insurance bets and the game goes on.

NATURAL: A Blackjack dealt with the original two cards.

PUSH: You tie the dealer. Neither of you wins.

SOFT TOTAL: A hand with an Ace that counts as an '11.' Example, an Ace-9 counts as a soft '20.'

STAND: You like your hand as it is. Place your cards under your bet face down or give the proper hand signal to let the dealer know you don't want to 'hit.'

STIFF: Any hand that could 'bust' by adding one more card; for example, a hard '12-16.'
UPCARD: The face up card in the dealer's original hand.