Blackjack: for the beginners

Starting with the dealer placing two cards on the table, each player must then decide whether or not to increase the amount of cards in their hand. The game is won by the player who has 21 (made up of an Ace and a 10, or any of the court cards, Jack, Queen or King), or has the highest numbered card. Winning hands are typically those that have cards totalling from 16 all the way to 21, although having a total of 16 will always give you a lower chance of winning. There are some games that have a bonus payout if you tie with the dealer, (called a ‘push’) but this is a rare occurrence.

Bets are important in a game of Blackjack. The bets are placed before the cards are dealt, whereas with most other card games, at least one card is dealt to the players before bets are made. Usually, the cards are dealt so the players can see all the cards, with the exception of the dealer. His hand is dealt so that one is visible and the other is face down, called a ‘hole card’. That is where the typical strategies come in about hitting, doubling, or standing based on the upturned card of the dealer. Doubling is done when a player has two cards of the same value, which can be split to form two hands.
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