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Blackjack: essential rules every player should know

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Blackjack is a highly respected card game that remains popular in both physical and online casinos.

Despite being a simple game, many players combine strategy with a little bit of luck, knowing that the turn of the card could be the difference between winning and losing.

We will discuss the fundamental rules of blackjack and how you can increase your chance of winning while having fun at the table.

We will also discuss some special rules that may apply to the game.

How Mancunians can play blackjack?

For the beginner Mancunian, it is crucial to understand the blackjack game itself.

The primary goal here is to beat the dealer standard without exceeding 21.

Initially, each player is dealt two cards, and the dealer also gets two cards.

One of the cards will be face up, while the other will be face down.

From there, a player will decide whether or not to hit, take another card, or stand and keep the current hand.

Once the cards are revealed, the player closest to 21 will win.

If they go over, it is considered a bust.

The card values will be determined as follows: the face cards, such as the king, queen, and jack, will be worth 10 points each.

The ace card will be one or 11 points, depending on which value will give them the most advantage.

Finally, the number cards will range from 2:00 to 10 and be worth their face value.

For example, you can utilize a blackjack chart to determine which value will help you decide whether to hit or stand. 

You can also double down or split pairs if necessary.

For example, you can double down on your initial bet in exchange for your commitment to stand after you have drawn one additional card.

Typically, this will happen if the two cards are totaled at 9, 10, or 11, and they believe the next hand will be strong enough to be the dealer.

Of course, we should say that playing blackjack should be for fun (and responsible playing is highly recommended).

If anything, 45 % of Mancunians do it for the fun of it while 18 percent do it to pass the time.

What is the Blackjack Five-Card Charlie Rule?

Oh, we can talk about one of the lesser-known but very interesting rules in blackjack.

This is known as the Blackjack Five-Card Charlie Rule.

The way this works is that if a player draws five cars without exceeding a total of 21, they win the hand.

Understanding this rule could also help you put together a strategy while increasing your chances of winning.

Not all casinos will implement the Five Card Charlie rule.

However, if you find yourself with a hand totaling less than 21 after four cards, the standard idea is to consider hitting to achieve the Five Card Charlie, especially if you notice that the dealer has a much weaker hand.

Card Counting: Is It Against The Rules?

One of the other strategies that is typically scrutinized is card counting.

For many professional blackjack players, it might be considered one of the more unethical moves, and it has caused casinos to crack down on card counters and change the standard operating procedure for how dealer’s hand out cards.

Well, card accounting is not necessarily against the law, but using it to gain an advantage may catch the eye of casino security and those who may be monitoring the game closely.

It may be a good idea to utilize a more ethical strategy than card counting. 

Nevertheless, it is vital to ensure that you can implement a plan that will give you an increased edge.

If you are starting, then study charts that will give you an idea of which value will be better for you if you hit or stand.

Insurance and Surrender

What are these two terms, and how do they pertain to blackjack?

Let’s answer the question to give you a better understanding of insurance and surrender right now:

  • Insurance: If the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, players can place what is known as an insurance bet. This will be placed on the assumption that the dealer may have blackjack. The insurance company will pay two to one if the dealer has blackjack as the two cards. For veteran players, there may be better options than taking insurance.
  • Surrender: Depending on the variant that you play, the surrender option may be available. A player will forfeit half of that and end their hand. This will be useful if they believe they have a weak hand compared to the card that the dealer is showing. Not only will this be cost-effective in unfavorable situations, but it can also be an excellent strategy, especially if bankroll management is a priority.

Notable Rules of Blackjack Variations

Lastly, we will look at some of the blackjack variations and some notable rules that may follow.

While the basic rules of blackjack are typically consistent, depending on the variation, there may be unique twists to this card game.

Here’s a look at the following variations and some of the rules that stand out:

  • European Blackjack: In this game, the dealer receives only one card face up at the outset and does not receive a second card once the players have completed their hand.
  • Atlantic City Blackjack: In this variation, a player is allowed to split up to three times. This means that they will likely have four hands in total, and they can surrender late in the round if possible.
  • Vegas Strip Blackjack: If the dealer has 17, they must stand. Also, players of this variation can double down on any two cards, even after a split.

Blackjack can be a fascinating game, whether you play the basic version or a different variation.

Either way, it is important that you learn some of the rules that apply and the unique ones that make the other variation stand out compared to the standard version.

Once you know the game and understand the rules and concepts, you will be ready to play with regular money.

Photo by Tom M on Unsplash

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