Blackjack RulesRules for playing black jack the card game.
In a game of blackjack, the rules may vary according to the actual location where you are playing it. Location is a big factor on the possible differences or similarities of the existing game rules.
Blackjack rules also vary according to the type of game you are going to join. Hand-held and shoe games have different game standards and concepts. The same thing goes with blackjack tournaments.
Even with all these parameters existing, there still remains a couple of general rules that apply whether you are playing blackjack in Europe or in Las Vegas, in a land-based casino or online, in an ordinary game or a tournament. These general rules include the scoring scheme, the basic moves you can do to win the prize pot, and the role of the dealer at the blackjack table.
The Players' Mission
The main goal of blackjack players is to score 21 points -- or anything better than what the dealer has - from the cards they have in hand without going overboard, which is going beyond the required 21 points. When players get cards that score beyond 21 points, they get busted and lose that round of the game. Earning the points is based on a scoring system that was especially made for this classic card game. The scoring system goes like this: aces are valued either as 1 or 11; the 10 card as well as the Jack, Queen, and King cards are all valued at 10; and the rest of the stack is valued according to their numbers.
The easiest way to win a Blackjack game is to draw an ace and a black jack or whatever ten-valued card you may luckily get in the first turn up. If this does not happen, the game will proceed and you can make your move depending on the situation you are in.
The Basic Moves
The game starts with each player placing their bets before the dealer distributes two cards apiece. After that, the players assess their cards and base their next moves on them. The standard moves that players can make at the blackjack table include:
* Surrender - is a move that can only be done after a deal is made. When you surrender, you are removing yourself from that game round and in turn, you lose 50% of your bet.
* Hit - will get you an additional card from the dealer.
* Stand - will stop the dealer from giving you anymore cards because you are going with the number of cards you already have in hand.
* Split - will make you play two hands separately by getting a card for each hand and putting in another bet that is equal to that of the old hand.
* Double-Down - is a move that entitles you to another card while increasing your bet to the same amount as your original bet. This is a rewarding move if your next card proves to be in favor of you hand.
The Dealer
The dealer's hand in playing is strictly controlled by the casino. He just can't make decisions on his own. For instance, split is one move that is not applicable to the dealer. In most cases, the dealer just either stops hitting or plainly stands when he reaches the 17 score.
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