Casino Blackjack Game

Mostly Played Casino Game

Probably the most played game in the casino, Blackjack has more table space allotted to it than any other game in the casino. Most everyone who goes into a casino knows about Blackjack. After all, we have all played it at home. But do we really know how to play? Let's take a look. Blackjack, as it is commonly called, is actually the ancient game of 21. The sole objective of the game is to come closer to the total score of 21 than the dealer comes, without exceeding that number. If the player draws cards that exceed 21, he immediately goes bust, and loses. If the dealer draws over 21, he also loses, but only to the players who have not exceeded 21 in their draw.

Strategy

Blackjack is played on a semi-circular table upon which are seven positions marked by small rectangles or circles. Any player may make a bet in a position (or more than one position if the positions are open) and the dealer will then proceed to deal cards. The wager can only be made using casino chips that can be bought directly from the dealer. Bets must be made in amounts not less than the table minimum which is indicated very clearly on a sign on the table somewhere next to the dealer. Bets may not be made for more than the table maximum which is also indicated on the same sign.
How the Game Is Played
When all bets are made in the appropriate areas, the dealer proceeds to deal the cards. In all New Jersey casinos, Caribbean casinos, and in many Las Vegas casinos, cards are dealt from a shoe. This is a plastic or wooden box that can accommodate from four to eight decks of cards. These are all regular fifty-two card "poker decks" with four suits of thirteen cards each. All picture cards have an equal value of ten points. The rank cards from two through nine are all worth their face value. The ace is unique in that it can be made, at the player's whim, to be worth one or eleven. The player even has the option to change the value of that ace back and forth until he makes his final choice. This option is also available to the dealer. There are some casinos in Las Vegas that deal Blackjack from two decks of cards that are held in the dealer's hand. In this instance, no shoe is used at all.

Methods of Dealing

The method of dealing is as follows: The dealer gives a card to each player who has made a bet and then gives a card to him. Each hand then receives a second card. These cards can be deal t either face up or face down to the online casino players. The dealer's hand will always have one card facing down. In all cases the player sees his own cards. When the cards -are played faced up, players have the advantage of being able to count cards more accurately. When every player has been dealt two cards, the dealer will look to the first player on his left and inquire if that player wants a card. This inquiry is more often than not made by a glance, with no words being spoken. Should the player wish to take another card, he indicates this either by scratching his index finger on the table directly near his cards or by crooking his finger in his own direction. Should he not wish to take a card, but rather wishes to stand pat, he indicates this by either sliding his cards underneath his chips, or by waving his hands, palm down, over the cards.
These are the proper hand signals and are the ones to be used by the player. They eliminate confusion that might result from a dealer not hearing the player. Hand signals overcome language barriers. Use them and they will work for you.