When playing blackjack, the player will be presented with two cards – one face up and one face down. The dealer will check the face down card to see if it is a blackjack before turning over the cards to the players. If it is a blackjack, then the player keeps the bet and the dealer keeps the other cards. If both players have a blackjack, then the game is a tie and the player keeps his or her bet.
Double down
Double down on blackjack is an option in blackjack that allows the player to take another card after a hit. This action is usually allowed when the dealer has only dealt the player two cards. This is useful when the player has a soft hand like an Ace.
Splitting
Blackjack splitting occurs when the first two cards of a hand are equal. When the two cards are equal, the player can split his hands into two hands and play each hand. When the split takes place, each hand gets an additional card from the dealer.
Insurance
In most Blackjack games, there is an option to purchase Insurance. Some players choose to do so to protect themselves from unforeseen events. Experienced players, however, often recommend against taking Insurance in blackjack games.
Surrender
Blackjack surrender is an option that players can use to end their hand when the odds are against them. Most blackjack strategies and the law of probability recommend surrendering when you have an opening hand of fifteen or less. This is a weak starting hand and the dealer is likely to have a face up card that will help him/her form a strong hand.
Hitting on a soft 17
Hitting on a soft 17 in blackjack increases the casino’s edge over the player’s hand by 0.20%. While this isn’t a huge number, it does give the house more chances to bust than the player does. Moreover, hitting on a soft 17 increases the dealer’s chance of forming a better hand. The casino will lose more money when a player hits a soft seventeen, but the times that the hand improves more than compensate for the higher chance of busting.
Insurance bets
In blackjack, insurance bets are side bets that play independently from the original wager. Insurance bets are offered to players after the initial cards are dealt, and they only pay out when the dealer has an ace. To make an insurance bet, players must place a half-money wager. In the event that the dealer does not have a blackjack, the insurance bet pays out at odds of two to one.
Table minimum
The blackjack table minimum is always posted on the casino floor and it is a good idea to know how much your bankroll can go before you enter a blackjack table. In a high roller pit, the minimum is often at least $100. If you’re a low roller, a $1 table minimum might be the best option for you. Just remember to play at your own risk, as casinos may increase or decrease the minimum limit without warning.
Maximum bet
When playing blackjack, a player can choose to place the minimum or maximum bet. The minimum bet is generally $10, and the maximum bet is $500 per hand. While high rollers will gravitate towards larger minimum bets, recreational players can comfortably place a $10 note on the table and enjoy the thrill and rewards that come with the game.