Black jack is hands down the world’s most famous casino card game. Part of its popularity stems from the fact that the object of the game is so easy to understand that any casino first-timer can sit at a black jack table and make his first bet, banking only on the advice of well-meaning co-players and the card dealer.
However, it’s also popular because of the underworld element of “card counting” which expert black jack players study in order to gain an advantage over the house. This strategy takes a lot of skill, patience, and undoubtedly a degree of luck as well, but unfortunately for people who are planning to study the technique, it’s also banned from being practiced in casinos.
Also known as 21, the object of this card game is for a player to have a hand totaling 21 or one that’s closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand. A score of more than 21 is called a “bust,” and this eliminates you from the game, even if the dealer’s hand also busts at the end of the deal.
Depending on the casino you are playing in, black jack has many variations in rules, but the cards’ values are always the same. An ace can either be 1 or 11, the numbers 2-10 carry points corresponding to their numbers, and face cards have a value of 10.
A player’s hand is independent of other player’s hands – that is, you have a one-on-one competition with the dealer. This is why during a particular deal, it is possible for a dealer to pay some bets and collect others. Although you are largely responsible for the hand you play (because it’s your money, anyway) it helps to first learn about the intricacies of the game before making hasty decisions on hitting.
While the players already have two cards each, the dealer has only one card exposed at this point. Each player then makes decisions on what to do with his hand.
Your options for playing your hand are:
Hit – to ask for another card
Stand – to not take any more cards
Split – done when both cards have the same rank; the original bet is doubled and each card serves as the first card of a new hand
Surrender – used when the hand has slim chances of winning against the dealer; half of the bet is automatically forfeited and the hand is given up
Double Down – to double a bet before being dealt a third card; done when the initial score is either 9, 10, or 11
You can also place an insurance bet if you wish. This is offered when the dealer’s hand is an ace and when you would like to protect your original bet in case the dealer gets a black jack. Alternatively, he can offer to pay even money instead of insurance, and the end results will be the same.
If you and the dealer have the same score, it’s called a push, and your bet is neither collected nor paid. Black jack has other rule variations, such as special prizes for triple 7s and five-card charlies (a hand with 5 cards whose score does not go over 21), doubling-down after splitting, multiple splits, and many others.
While dealers hit or stand according to a fixed rule – that is, they must hit until they reach 17 – you are largely responsible for your game because you decide the options. Winning in black jack, therefore, entails a great deal of studying, and hope that lady luck smiles on you.
