Blackjack is a game where the player and dealer are both dealt two cards. The player can then choose to stand, hit, split, or double down. In addition, the player may also surrender if he or she thinks that the dealer has a higher hand than the player.
The game begins after the players have exchanged money for chips and placed them on the table as their bets. The dealer then deals the cards – two to each player and himself, face down except for one which is dealt face up. He then peeks to see if he has a blackjack. If the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, he or she turns over their card.
If the player has a total of 21 from his or her first two cards, it is known as a “natural” blackjack and is paid at odds of 1 to 1. The dealer loses if they go over 21, or if their hand is lower than the player’s hand when they don’t exceed 21. Ties are a push and the player retains their original bet.
When to Double Down
The basic strategy for playing blackjack is to double down when you have a strong hand and the addition of another card would increase your chances of winning. Generally, you should double down when you have an 11 or a 10 in your hand and the dealer has a weak card showing like a 6, for example. This technique will maximize your wins and minimize your losses in the long run.
When to Split
If you are dealt a pair of Aces, the best strategy is to split them. This will give you two separate hands, each with an Ace, which can be counted as either 1 or 11. The goal is to get a 10 or a face card on each hand to make them stronger.
When to Stand
In blackjack, you should always stand on a hand of 17 or higher, regardless of what the dealer has in their upcard. You should only try to improve your hand when it has the chance of bringing you closer to 21 or beating the dealer’s hand.
When to Doubling Down
Doubling down in blackjack is an option that can improve your chances of winning by increasing the size of your bet. However, it is important to remember that you should only do this when your current hand has a good chance of making a good total and you have the resources to cover your bet in case it does not improve.
When to Surrender
If you have a weak hand, you should consider using the surrender option. This will save you some of your losses by allowing you to recover half of your bet. Nevertheless, you should remember that you should only use this option if it is offered at the table. If you are unsure about when to surrender, it is a good idea to consult the blackjack strategy chart.