Learning the Basics of Blackjack

Game Goal

Optimal goal of Blackjack is to beat the dealer by having your hand value closest to 21 without going over. If your hand value goes over 21, you "bust" and lose instantly. To play at an optimal level, it's nice to commit to memory some blackjack strategy guides, which give you step-by-step instructions on how to play at an optimal level.

Values of Cards

The cards in Blackjack are worth as:

• Number cards (2-10): Face value
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points each
• Aces: Used as either 1 or 11 points, whichever is favorable to you

The best possible combination in Blackjack is an Ace with a ten-point card (10, Jack, Queen, or King), a "blackjack."

Setup for the game

Players and DealerBlackjack is played using one or more of the regular deck of cards. All of the games are with the dealer and not with other players.

BettingThe bets are placed by players in the betting spaces on the table before they start the game. The bet size relies on the casino's minimum and maximum.

Gameplay Process

1. Dealing the Cards: A player is dealt two cards face up. The dealer gets two cards as well—one face-up (the "upcard") and one face-down (the "hole card").

2. Player Choices: Beginning with the leftmost player facing the dealer, each player will be able to do the following:

• Hit: Get an additional card to add to the hand total.
• Stand: Leave the hand as it is and give the turn.
• Double Down: Double the initial bet and take only one more card.
• Split: If you have been dealt two of the same value, you can split them into two hands and play each of them separately.
• Surrender: Some games permit the player to surrender a portion of the bet when he is given his first two cards and feels he will lose.

3. Dealer's Turn: After every player has finished the round, the dealer reveals the hole card and plays per rules outlined:

• The dealer must draw until he has at least 17.
• When the dealer busts (exceeds 21), all remaining players win.

4. Winning and Payouts: A player wins a hand if his hand is more towards 21 than the dealer's hand but not over. Winning bets will typically pay even money (1:1), and a blackjack will pay 3:2.

Winning Strategies in Blackjack

Blackjack is a luck game, but good strategy will have your winning nearly guaranteed.

Basic Strategy

Basic strategy charts provide the optimum play depending on your total hand and dealer upcard. A few general principles include:

• Always stand with a hard 17 or more. 
• Hit with 8 or less.
• Double down on 11 against any dealer upcard.
• Always split Aces and 8s, never split 10s and 5s.
• Stand on soft 19 (Ace + 8) when facing a weak dealer card (2–6).

By sticking with a simple strategy chart, the house advantage will be significantly minimized. Stepping on 12–16 against a bad dealer upcard (2–6), for instance, is advised since it depends on the dealer to bust.

Advanced Strategies

Once you have mastered basic strategy, you can use more complex techniques like card counting. You do this by tracking high and low cards dealt to estimate whether remaining cards are favorable for the player or dealer. Card counting has to be done with skill and practice but, if you do it properly, will provide you with the advantage.

Card Counting Systems

There is a single system, the Hi-Lo system:

Assign card values:

• High cards (10–Ace): –1
• Neutral cards (7–9): 0
• Low cards (2–6): +1

Keep a "running count" as you are dealt cards. A plus count indicates you have more high cards remaining in the deck, a favorable circumstance for the player.

Betting Systems

Aside from game strategy, betting systems also help control your bankroll:

• Martingale System: Double your wager on each loss so that you will have enough money to pay for lost money when you finally win.
• Paroli System: Increase your bet after a win so you can capitalize on winning trends and reduce loss on losing trends.

Both are favorable and unfavorable, and you must choose one according to your level of risk-bearing capacity.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players make mistakes that spoil their chance of winning. Some of them are:

• Taking insurance when the dealer's upcard is an Ace; mathematically, it will never be in your favor unless you're a card counter.
• Not playing basic strategy; playing by gut feel alone will lead to very uninformed choices.
• Playing too many hands at once; play fewer hands so you can see more clearly.

Special Blackjack Moves

Certain special plays, aside from standing or hitting, which can be played to strengthen your game:

Splitting PairsTwo cards of equal rank (two 8s, for example) can be split into two different hands. You wager a second amount that is the same as the first. Doubling will win more, double clever—double Aces and 8s, but never 10s.

Doubling DownDoubling down doubling your bet once your initial two cards have already been dealt instead of receiving a new card. The hand is highly profitable when you receive a strong starting hand compared to a poor dealer upcard.

SurrenderSurrender allows you to forfeit half of your bet after the first two cards if you do not think you will win. It is not on every table but will be cheaper on losing hands.

Conclusion

Blackjack is a great game founded on a foundation of strategy and probability. Through the acquisition of rules and implementation of sound strategies—whether basic strategy charts and other, more advanced methods such as card counting or betting systems—players can maximize, and maximize back, their recreation. Recreated with friends or at a casino, Blackjack proficiency can guarantee hours of fun.