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The Requirements of 21

By: Aeronx Mc Mall


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Blackjack, or 21, is a popular card game played in casinos all over the world. It is one of the most popular table games. During a hand, you will receive two cards, with the option to receive more if you wish. The object of the game is to get the value of your hand as close to "21" without going over. In a casino, you are only playing against the dealer and not against any other gambler, so don't be afraid to ask the dealer or your fellow gamblers any questions during a hand.

Card values are calculated depending on the identity of the card (suits do not matter). Cards between 2-9 are worth their respective number; a face card (ten, jack, queen, king) is worth 10; and an ace is worth either 1 or 11 (whatever gives you the best hand). For example, if you are dealt an ace and a five, your total hand value is 16 (11 5). If you decide to take another card, and receive a king, your hand value is still 16 (1 5 10).

Before each hand, you decide how much you want to bet. If you win, you receive double your bet. If you lose, your original bet is gone. Once you've bet, you receive your two card hand. You then have the following basic options:

STAND: If you like the total of your cards, you can stand or stay. You then see what the dealer has.

HIT: If you want another card, ask the dealer to "hit" you. He or she will give you another card. You then add this to your total. If you go over 21, you "bust" and automatically lose, regardless of what the dealer has.

Once you've busted or stayed, the dealer flips over his cards. Dealers play by special rules. If they have anything lower than 17, they must hit until they reach 17 or higher. Some casinos have rules about hitting or standing on "soft" 17s (when the dealer's hand includes an ace).

If your total is higher than the dealer's, or the dealer busted, you've won! If you bet $5, you will take back your bet and receive another $5. If the dealer's total is higher than you, or you busted, you lose. Your bet disappears into the dealer's chip rack. If you tie, this is a "push" and your bet is returned.

There is one special kind of hand - the appropriately named "blackjack." This is a two-card hand (the first two you receive) with a value of 21. One card must be an ace and the other a face card. If you have a blackjack and win, you actually receive 1.5 times the bet (so if you bet $5, you'd receive a total of $12.50). Your blackjack beats any dealer hand except for a blackjack, which it ties. On the other hand, a dealer blackjack will instantly beat any hand of yours as well!

These are the basic rules of blackjack. There are also some advanced options you could take during your hand:

SURRENDER: You lose one half your bet and forfeit the hand.

DOUBLE DOWN: After you receive your first two cards, you double your bet, receive one more card, and stand.

SPLIT: If you have two identical cards, you double your bet and receive a card for each one of the pair. You are now playing two hands at the same time. They are played separately and do not influence each other at all.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

James is a professional blackjack player. He encourages you to read an online blackjack guide and learn basic strategy if you are serious about the game.

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