Mar 03, 2018 Say, if you never lost a hand? Answer one - 24 hour casino / probability says that there is a version of you sitting down somewhere in the world at a no limit table, and for the rest of your life never losing a hand, going on to win an almost infi.
- Blackjack Tables For Sale
- What Makes A Blackjack
- Blackjack Table Guide
- How Much Does A Blackjack Table Make
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino table games. It’s fun, simple to play, and unlike many games, offers a chance to beat the house through skill. All you need is some knowledge and confidence to make smart choices. Start right here.
The Day I Started Winning At Blackjack. Of getting up and leaving the wrong table and then finding and sitting down at the right table. Nugget because I'd never won much there and so had. This layout will fit a regular size blackjack table (actual layout size = 64.5' x 44.5'). 7-Player Blackjack Table Layout. This layout is printed on our 100%Polyester Ultra-Glide™ gaming suede fabric and is made to last for years. These Blackjack table layouts were custom printed for a popular Mid West Indian Casino.
The Object of the Game
In Blackjack, also known as 21, the object of the game is to beat the dealer, not the other players. There are two ways to win: Get a hand of cards with a higher total points value (up to 21) than the dealer; or not to “bust”, i.e. get a total over 21 points, before the dealer does. That’s it.
How the cards work
In Blackjack, only the card’s face value counts, not the suit. So, for example, the 8 of spades is counted as 8 points. The total number of points of the cards equals the value of the hand.
Numbered Cards
Clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades numbered from 2-10 are worth their face value.
Picture Cards
Picture cards are worth 10 points each, so the King, Queen and Jack are each valued at 10 points.
Aces
The ace is worth either 1 point, or 11 points: it’s the player’s choice and depends on the hand.
What's in a hand?
What's a bust, a push or a soft hand? Before you play the game, get a handle on the terms:
Blackjack
A hand of two cards that adds up to 21
Soft hand
A hand of two cards, one of which is an ace
Hard hand
A hand of two cards, without an ace
Push hand
When your total is the same as the dealer’s
Bust hand
A hand that totals more than 21
Blackjack Tables For Sale
PreviousNextHow to play Blackjack in four steps
Start with a game plan; set a budget in advance and stick to it.
Know how a round is played, from the points value for every card and hand, to what it takes to beat the dealer.
Hit, stand, split or double down: Learn all the right moves and how to use them.
Choose the right Blackjack table, starting with the lowest minimum if you’re new to the game. Feel free to watch at first to get the feel of the play.
1. Start with a Plan
Blackjack is exciting. Be sure to have a game plan before you play, so you don’t get carried away. Start with a budget.
Set a budget
Decide how much you want to spend in advance. Treat this as part of your entertainment budget: Money you’d spend on a night out, not expecting to bring it home.
Don’t bring credit cards
To make sure you only spend what you bring, use cash and leave the cards at home.
Set a win limit
It’s no fun to be up and then lose it all. When you’re winning, decide in advance when it’s time to walk away. Some players set this at the point when they double their money.
2. How to play a round
Let the games begin. A round of Blackjack starts with the dealer. If the dealer doesn't have Blackjack to start, then regular play begins.
The action starts with players placing bets, using chips purchased from the dealer, until the dealer signals “no more bets”. The dealer then deals two cards facing up to each player, and two to herself, with one card face up, the other face down.
If she has a ten or an ace, she will check to see if the face-down card adds up to a Blackjack, or 21 points. If so, the round is over and all players automatically lose – unless one of the players also has Blackjack, in which case they get to keep their original bet.
If the dealer goes over 21 points, then any player who didn’t already bust, or exceed 21, will win. If the dealer doesn’t bust, then the higher point total between the player and dealer will win. If point totals are the same, it’s a tie, or push, and the player keeps their original bet.
PreviousNext3. Know the moves
Each player, starting from the dealer's left, starts with two cards face up and must decide their next move from four possible options:
Hit
This is to request another card from the dealer when you have a low hand, such as 10 points or less. If this card takes your total points above 21, then it’s a “bust”, or loss. The move: Tap your finger on the table behind your cards.
Stand
A player is satisfied with their points total, such as a hand of 17 or more, and will “stand”, or stay with the hand as is. The move: Wave your hand over the cards, palm down.
Split
A player with two similar cards can choose to separate these into two individual hands, called a split. With this move, a player must make another bet equal to the original bet.
The dealer will automatically give the first hand a second card, which the player may hit, stand, or double, before moving to the second hand. The move: Show the dealer a splitting gesture of your index and ring finger.
Tip
When splitting aces, each ace gets only one card. If the player gets a ten and ace after splitting, then it counts as 21 points (not a Blackjack).
Double Down
Double the initial bet in return for receiving one, and only one, draw card. The move: Place a chip next to the original chip bet on the hand.
Tip
You can only double down after you receive your first two cards and before drawing another card.
PreviousNextNot all Blackjack tables are created equal. Before you sit, select a Blackjack table for its posted minimum and maximum bets. New players might prefer to start with the lowest minimum table, usually with bets from $5 to $15. That way, the play can last longer.
Tip
For new players, it’s a good idea to watch a few rounds and get comfortable with the table, the play and the other players before getting into the game.
Tip
Many think avoiding a table where the dealer is on a “hot” streak is the way to go. But what happens in the game is only in the cards – not because of a “hot” or “cold” dealer.
What is Blackjack insurance?
Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has Blackjack and is treated independently of the main wager. It pays 2:1 (meaning that the player receives two dollars for every dollar bet) and is offered if the dealer’s up card is an Ace. This is a bet that the dealer’s down card, or “hole” card, is valued at 10.
Blackjack Variations & Side Wagers
Blackjack is so popular that it’s spawned a number of variations, from additional side bets to more complex versions with unique betting options and play dynamics.
What Makes A Blackjack
Ready To Play?
Yes, understanding the basics of blackjack is relatively easy. But, before you can walk away a winner, you need a deeper understanding of the nuances of the game and casino protocol.
Finding a table: Strategic seating
Blackjack begins by selecting a seat at the table. Typically, a blackjack table allows for five to seven players. Whenever you see an empty seat at a blackjack table, you may assume it’s for your taking (unless chips or a coat are holding the spot for a player who just stepped away for a moment or unless some player is playing two hands). In most cases, joining a game in progress is okay, although some tables have a No-Midshoe Entry policy (usually marked by a sign at the table), which means you have to wait until the shuffle before playing.
For your first trip to the tables, you’re better off finding a nearly full table. Although the number of players at the table hardly affects the odds on your hands, the game is much quicker with fewer players. A fuller table gives you more time to think about each hand without being rushed or pressured.
Seeking single-deck tables
Without getting into a lot of math, here’s a good rule to follow: The fewer decks the casino uses, the better for you. Your chances for success increase if you can find a single-deck game. Most casinos worldwide have gone to six or more decks in an attempt to thwart card counters (skilled players who keep track of cards). But some places still deal blackjack the old-fashioned way — with one deck of 52 cards. Most of the casinos in northern Nevada (Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Wendover) still use one deck of cards at many of their blackjack tables. If you aren’t sure how many decks the casino is using, just ask.
Eyeing table bet levels
Before you actually sit down, look for the table’s minimum and maximum betting limits. Every table has these fixed limits, which the casino usually posts on a small sign located on the table to the right of the dealer.
You may sit down at a table where the placard says $5–$500, which means you have to bet at least $5 on every hand and can never bet more than $500 on any one spot. Typically, the higher the minimum starting bet, the higher the maximum bet for that table.
Blackjack Table Guide
When you’re starting out, find the lowest minimum table in the casino and begin there. Making smaller bets keeps you out of trouble until you understand the game better — and you’re less likely to end up sitting next to a high roller (who may not appreciate a novice at his table).
How Much Does A Blackjack Table Make
Purchasing chips
After you select your seat, you need to buy chips from the dealer. Select the amount of money you want to start with and lay your cash on the felt in front of you. The dealer changes your cash into chips and slides them across the felt to you.
Don’t hand your money directly to the dealer; doing so is a breach of etiquette and brands you as a greenhorn.
After you receive your chips, leave them on the table in front of you. Chips come in several denominations and are color-coded. Although every casino uses distinctive chips, most colors are standard.
Start off with a small amount of chips. A good approach is to cash in no more than 25 percent of your daily bankroll for chips. For example, if you budget $400 for the day, buy in for no more than $100 to start. This way, when you’re losing, you minimize the temptation to bet more than you planned. You can always buy more chips later if necessary.
Homing in on house rules
Blackjack rules are fairly similar worldwide — with a few variations. Sometimes a small placard sitting on the table indicates where the casino stands in regard to certain scenarios. If you don’t see a placard, you may ask the dealer what the house rules are, even when you’re in the middle of a hand.
Does the dealer hit on a soft 17?
A soft hand is any hand that counts an ace as 11 rather than 1. The hand is soft because it can’t bust on the next card. For example, if you hit (take another card) a soft 18 (an ace and a 7) with a 6, the ace automatically reverts to 1 (rather than 11), and the hand total is now 14 (rather than 24, which would be a bust).
Whether a dealer hits on a soft 17 is usually spelled out in bold white letters right on the felt. Normally the dealer counts an ace as 11 anytime he has a hand of 17 or more. However, about half the casinos worldwide deviate from this rule on soft 17 (an ace and a 6). In those cases, the ace counts as 1, and the dealer hits his soft 17.
Is doubling down restricted to certain card combinations?
In Las Vegas, casinos typically allow doubling down, an option that allows you to double your bet, on any two cards, but other places may restrict this move to just 10s or 11s. The placard probably won’t list restrictions to doubling down. If you aren’t sure whether restrictions are in place, don’t be afraid to ask the dealer, even if you’re in the middle of a hand.
Can you surrender?
A playing option known as surrender is an extremely profitable option for you as a player, but not many casinos offer it. When you surrender, you lose half of your initial bet and give up your hand. For example, if you bet $10 and are dealt a 16, you can surrender and only lose $5 (half your bet) rather than risk the entire $10 on a bad hand. Once again, the placard may not readily advertise this rule variation, so always ask if surrender is available.
Dealing what’s in the cards
All right, you’re situated at the table, you’ve made your bet in the betting box, and your heart is pumping like a jackhammer. The dealer flashes you a warm smile, wishes you good luck, shuffles the deck, and asks you to cut the cards.
If you’re playing a one- or two-deck game, the dealer holds the cards in his hands and deals you two cards face-down. You can pick up these cards, but make sure you only hold them in one hand.
However, the majority of blackjack games today use six or eight decks. In these cases, the dealer deals your two cards face-up from a shoe (a boxlike device that houses the cards).
Whether your cards are dealt face-up or face-down really doesn’t matter — dealers follow strict rules, and seeing the values of your cards doesn’t influence them. Dealers’ hands always start off with one card exposed and one card hidden, regardless of the number of decks.