How to Play Blackjack

A game of Blackjack is quite simply all about beating the dealer. The object of the game is for a player to accumulate a value of not more than 21 for his two drawn cards. It is best if he gets exact 21 but is good enough if he was able to beat the dealer's. The only thing Blackjack players are cautious about is going Bust pr going over 21.

Blackjack is played with multiple decks of cards most of the time. In some land-based casinos, an automatic shuffling machine is used to keep the cards drawn from the tray-like box called shoe random each and every time. This is not a problem in case of online Blackjack. The software is duly programmed for randomness.

As mentioned, the object of a Blackjack player should be to beat the dealer of his hand. Getting close to 21 is only significant because it gives him better chances at beating the dealer of his game and at getting a higher payout. If you bust, or go beyond 21, you automatically lose regardless if the dealer goes bust, too. If the dealer bust but you do not, you win. If the value of your cards is higher than that of the dealer's, you win as well.

Cards are valued according to a specific scheme that is intended only for Blackjack. 2s to 10s are counted according to their face value; the face cards, Jack, Queen, and King are valued at ten; the Ace can be counted as either one or eleven, depending on which value would make it a significant part of the player's hand.

Land-based Blackjack is usually played on a table that is of a rounded shape. The table layout basically consists of circles intended for players to place their wagers. In the middle is the Shoe or the box containing the cards. As soon as all the players on the table have placed their bets, the game begins.

Each player, including the dealer is dealt with two cards. The players' cards are dealt faced down while the dealer's are dealt one face up and the other faced down. The player may choose to draw one card at a time if it is his turn until he is confident enough of his hand. If a player busts, he is automatically out of the game. The others, meanwhile, will wait for the dealer to reveal his faced down cards and find out about the fate of their bets.