Played everywhere, from Monte Carlo high-stakes tables to basic online platforms, baccarat combines simplicity with an inimitable sense of glamour. Once reserved for the noble class, today, baccarat is now open to all, thanks to online play: no need for tuxedos, just clear rules and speedy gameplay. If you are intimidated by casino table games such as poker, baccarat is an elegant and more simple way to gain some invaluable playing experience.

If you’ve been dreaming of learning how to play online baccarat, this simple guide will get you there. You will understand the rules, values, and bets, and even pick up some smart tips to start confidently.

Basic Rules of Baccarat

Baccarat is played between two hands, with the player (multiple players can play at one time) and the banker. A fast, regimented game, baccarat gets its kicks from picking the right bet. Players can wager on which hand is closest to nine, or bet that the round will end in a tie. With no decisions to make during gameplay like poker or blackjack, a bet is placed, the cards are dealt, and results happen automatically.

It’s a game with an ancient pedigree, born in Italy and perfected in France, before it was embraced by the world. Thanks to the James Bond films, the glamour and romanticism of baccarat went mainstream. Soon, players realized what an easy game baccarat was to learn.

All baccarat variants start off the same. A hand is dealt to the player, and a hand is dealt to the banker. Before the cards are dealt, you place your bet on who you think will win, or if the round will end in a tie.

The aim is for each hand to get a total as close to nine as possible. If the Player or Banker has a natural eight or nine, then the round ends immediately. If not, then a third-card rule comes into play.

The version of baccarat that’s most common today is Punto Banco. In a Punto Banco game, all the dealing and play are done by the casino or the dealer. Players just place their bets and don’t have to make any decisions during gameplay. However, in European casinos, Chemin de Fer is widely popular, where one player holds the shoe and is designated as the banker.

Counting in Baccarat

Almost every online casino has Punto Banco rules as standard, so beginners can get the hang of things without having to think about complex decisions. Counting baccarat cards in all variants goes like this:

1.    Ace = 1 point

2.    10 = 0 points

3.    Face cards = 0 points

4.    Deuces through 9 = count straight up

With your cards, you add them like simple math. For example, a 3 and a ten equal 3. Having a playing hand worth a natural 9 are winners. However, if eight is the highest hand after the initial round, those are winners too. In the event of getting an additional card, and the total goes over 9, you don’t bust, unlike playing blackjack, real money, and sweepstakes games.

So, if the cards add up to ten, the baccarat total isn’t ten. It’s zero, because you drop the first number, meaning the total is zero. If the total is 16, the baccarat total is six because you drop the first number.

Understanding When the Third Card Comes into Play

In the absence of a natural, the third card rule determines whether or not more cards are dealt. Players do not make these decisions on the fly, rather, the additional draw boils down to this:

1.    The player must take a third card if the value is three or less. They can take a third card for values between 0-5. However, the player must stand on 6 or seven.

2.    The banker draws based on the player’s hand. If the banker’s hand is between 3-6, they can only draw based on the player’s card. However, the banker must draw if the playing total is between 0-2.

Because the banker’s rules are more complex, it might take some practice to get the hang of them so they come naturally, especially in person or with live dealer play.

Making Baccarat Bets

Baccarat is often considered the most beginner-friendly casino game, partly because of its limited number of bets. You don’t need to understand a lot of rules and different wagers to play.

The Banker Bet

This is the most optimal bet in baccarat. A winning Banker bet will pay 1:1, but you need to pay a commission to the casino of 5%. The commission is taken on each win, not each bet. However, many live baccarat games feature no commission, which lowers the house edge that much more.

The Player Bet

The player net pays 1:1, and you don’t have to pay a commission for any wins. The disadvantage is that the player’s hand will win less often than the banker’s hand, which slightly increases the house edge.

The Tie Bet

The tie baccarat bet pays 8:1 in some casinos. However, the house edge is well over 14%, which makes it not popular to make on a steady basis.

Baccarat also has side bets, especially Dragon Tiger and Super 6, which are available as their own games at many online casinos. While the potential of side bets are alluring, the house edge is not on your side, so make them sparingly.

Baccarat Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Baccarat, today, is one of the most beloved card games. Below are some common questions surrounding this elegant game.

Where did baccarat come from?

It’s believed that baccarat has its origins from the ancient Italian card game that didn’t have zeros. Some believe that its current name comes from the real-life French town.

Is baccarat a skilled game?

While some strategy is involved, baccarat, like other card games, is literally the luck of the draw.

Can you play baccarat outside of casinos?

Fortunately, there are many online casinos that support live baccarat games, including variants like Grand Bonus Baccarat.

A game as popular as blackjack is bound to draw the interest of every gambler. Sooner or later, you will want to try it out, whether you enjoy sports betting, roulette, poker, or slots. It is one of the oldest and most popular table games that is equally popular online and in the real world. Live tables lead the way, and the community around them is one of the richest and most welcoming. But what happens when you are a beginner who wants to get better? Read on to learn more about the basics that every new player should know. Only by knowing this can you truly enjoy a few rounds of blackjack and expect to win. 

Basic Rules of Blackjack

Let us start with the goal of the game. The player aims to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without going over. Ideally, they aim for exactly 21. There are different card values, similar to other card games. Number cards from 2 to 10 have their face value. Face cards, i.e., J, Q, and K, are 10 points. Aces can be 1 or 11, whichever is more favorable for your current hand. The player(s) play against the dealer, not other players. A standard game uses anywhere from 1 to 8 decks of 52 cards. Sometimes, the number of decks remains undisclosed to combat and prevent card counting. 

As for how to play a round of the famous casino game, here is a step by step guide. First off, you place your bet by putting the chips in the betting circle. Then it is the card dealing stage. You and the dealer each get two cards, with yours both facing up. The dealer has one face up card, the upcard, and one face down card, the hole card. The player’s turn then ensues, and you can decide to do several things. You can hit, meaning take another card. You can stand, or keep your current hand as it is. If you double down, you double your bet and take one more card, and then stand. If you have a pair, like two 8s, for example, you can split them into two hands and basically act as two players. 

The dealer’s turn is next, and they reveal their hole card. He or she has to hit until their hand totals 17 or more, including the soft 17 rule, if the casino allows it. It is then onto the comparison of hands. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win. If your hand goes over 21, you bust and lose. In case the dealer busts you do not, you win. And if both of you have the same total, there is a push, meaning you keep your bet. 

Here is an example of a round now to paint a clearer picture: you get a 10 and a 7, meaning your hand is a 17. The dealer shows a 6. You choose to stand since you have a high chance of having a better hand. The dealer’s hidden card is 10, making his hand a 16. They must hit to beat you; they draw a 9, and thus have a 25, which is a bust. You win the round, collect the prize money or chips, and those betting on you win their wagers. You go all over again. 

Popular Strategies for Blackjack Beginners

The most basic strategy to start you off the right way is the standard, foundation way of playing. It is a mathematically backed system that tells you the best move to make for every possible hand based on your two cards nd the dealer’s visible card. You can use a basic strategy chart, and many casinos allow them. Here is how it works: 

• If you have a 12 and the dealer shows a 2 or 3, you should hit. 
• If you have a 16 and the dealer shows a 6, you stand.
• If you have an 11 and the dealer shows a 5, you double down.
• If you have an 8 and the dealer shows a 9, you hit.
• Make sure to always split aces and 8s, and never split 5s or 10s. 

Following this basic guideline will allow you to get the hang of things more easily and quickly, and allow you to fast track the initial stages of overwhelming feelings and anxiety that typically occur with the early stages of playing a new gambling game. 

Card Counting

An advanced tactic of card counting should be somewhere down the line, but you need to know how to do it since it is not illegal but rather frowned upon and disliked by casinos. It is not recommended for beginners, but it is a good thing to know. The player tracks high vs. low cards to estimate the probability of good cards being dealt since they are still in the game. It takes some getting used to and is done best when you know how many decks there are in the game. If you do not, then it does not make sense to keep track of the cards. 

Useful Tips for New Players 

Here is a quick round of tips for the absolute beginners who feel like they need all the help they can get:

• Do not play by your gut instinct and use a chart instead.
• Know when to walk away and set time and/or money limits.
• Never take the insurance bet (more on this below).
• Practice online on a casino platform like Stake before playing in the real world. 

Common Betting Options to Go With

Playing the game is one thing, and betting on it the right way with high chances of winning is another. As a beginner, you must also know how to bet and how not to bet. The standard bet is the main bet to play a round, where you win 1:1. For example, you bet $10 and you win $10. 

With the blackjack payout, if you get an Ace and a 10 value card right off the bat, which is a hand called a natural 21, you get a 3:2, i.e., you bet $10 and win $15. Some casinos pay 6:5, a worse option for the players since you win less than the original 3:2, so avoid these tables if possible. 

The insurance bet is not always possible nor recommended. If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, you can make a side bet called insurance that the dealer has a blackjack. The payout in this one is 2:1 if they do, but the odds are against you nonetheless. It is not recommended for new players, or any players, for that matter.

The double down bet is when you are sure of winning, so you double your bet in exchange for one more card only. It is a good move when your total is 9, 10, or 11, and the dealer shows a weak card like a 5 or a 6. 

When it comes to splits, in case you have a pair of the same card, you can split them into two hands and play each of them separately. You have to place a second bet equal to the first to be able to do it. It is an advanced move for more experienced players since it can be too much to keep track of two separate hands and attempt to win both. Also, you risk double the amount of money. An example: you have two 8s and you split. Your first hand has the 8 and a 3, so an 11, and you hit. The second hand has an 8 and a 10, so an 18, so you stand. 

 

Term	Meaning
Hit	Ask for another card
Stand	Stay with the current hand
Bust	Hand goes over 21-automatic loss
Blackjack	Ace + 10-best possible hand
Double Down	Double bet, take one card only
Split	Turn one hand into two if you get a pair
Push	Tie with the dealer
Insurance	Side bet against the dealer’s blackjack (not recommended)

Blackjack Facts and Trivia 

1. Oldest Name: “Twenty-One”-Blackjack was originally known as “Vingt-et-Un” (meaning “Twenty-One” in French) and has roots dating back as early as the 1700s in France.
2. It Was Once Used for Military Morale-During World War II, blackjack was commonly played by the American soldiers in the field during the brief periods of respite. It served as a popular way to pass time and build camaraderie in barracks and trenches. This helped spread the game globally after the war.
3. The Origin of the Term “Blackjack”-The modern name comes from a special bonus payout in early American casinos. Back then, if a player had an Ace of Spades and a black Jack (clubs or spades), they received a 10:1 payout.
4. Most Popular Casino Table Game-Blackjack holds the title for the most widely played casino banking game worldwide, both online and in real world casinos.
5. Card Counting Was Popularized by Academics-The legendary (some would say infamous) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Blackjack Team famously used math based techniques to beat casinos during the 1980s and 1990s.
6. The Game Inspired Many Books, Movies, and Documentaries-The MIT team’s story was popularized by books and movies like 21, but that was hardly it. From Edward O. Thorp’s Beat the Dealer to films like Rain Man and The Last Casino, blackjack has a deep cultural footprint.
7. World Blackjack Day-Celebrated on March 2, this unofficial holiday marks the day when the legal number of decks in a game of blackjack was fought over and eventually standardized in many places. Despite this, it is still played with different numbers of decks, often undisclosed.
8. Variations Around the Globe-The game has many regional and house specific variants, including Pontoon (UK), Spanish 21, and Double Exposure. Online casinos have also done their part and created many hybrid variations.
9. Blackjack in Pop Culture-Celebrities like Ben Affleck and even former pro athletes like Charles Barkley have been known to take up blackjack seriously, sometimes being escorted out of casinos for being too good. 

Blackjack Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

• What is the historical origin of Blackjack?

Although its roots are in the European game Vingt-et-Un, modern Blackjack took shape in the USA, where casinos added incentives (like the original “blackjack” bonus). They also helped standardize table formats, which helped solidify its global appeal and popularity.

 

• Why is Blackjack so popular in casinos?
  Its quick pace, relatively low house edge compared to many other games, and simplicity make it accessible and engaging for a wide audience. It is a game both for newcomers and veterans.  
• Is Blackjack considered a game of skill or chance?
  While it is a game of chance, many regard it as partially skill based due to the importance of decision making and statistical awareness. It exists on a fine line between the two, which makes it deeply unique.  
• Are there professional Blackjack players?
  Yes, many players have made careers or headlines by playing professionally, often relying on mental math, memory, and discipline. As with other games, the best players make a living out of it.  
• How do casinos adapt to skilled players?
  Casinos adjust game conditions, limit bet sizes, shuffle more frequently, or ban players to protect profits from consistent winners. Ultimately, the house (casino) must always win. It is slightly different and more relaxed online, though.   
• What role has Blackjack played in mathematics?
  The game has been used as a teaching tool in probability, statistics, and computer science due to its reliance on odds and expected values. It has great case study and example potential for variations and predictions.  
• Is it legal to count cards in Blackjack?
  Yes, card counting is legal in most jurisdictions, but casinos reserve the right to refuse service to skilled counters once they realize their skill level. 
• How has technology influenced Blackjack gameplay?
  Examples include electronic tables and automated shufflers, but most importantly, online platforms and modern casinos with their new Blackjack varieties. Technology has transformed how, where, and by whom the game is played, all of which has only added to its appeal. 
• Has Blackjack been involved in scandals?
  Yes, there have been cheating rings using hidden electronics as well as legal battles over card counters. The game has seen its share of controversies, but so have others, notably poker. 
• Can you play Blackjack outside of casinos?
  Absolutely. Blackjack is widely available in home games, mobile apps, online platforms, and even social gaming environments. Many enthusiasts host blackjack nights and play with friends and family. 

 

There’s no doubt that we’re living in some seriously extraordinary times. Even with the everyday fears of job security and the soaring cost of inflation, we still have to remember that family always comes first. With time ever such a precious commodity, it’s more important than ever that we find a way to maintain our family traditions.

After a nice and relaxing family dinner and some chats, it’s time to have some family time. And what better way to do so than playing and integrating blackjack into the family routine? Besides having some quality family time, integrating blackjack can also teach family members, especially the children, some valuable life lessons.

Discovering Blackjack as a Family Bonding Activity

On the one hand, while blackjack is mainly played by adults, it is one of those card games that doesn’t have a seedy reputation. Even though most poker games are mainstream, some families frown upon it because they see it as a purely gambling activity that often leads to fights. This is especially so for old-school card games like Pinochle and Three Card Rummy that were associated with drinking and invariably someone accusing someone of cheating.

Blackjack is an easy game that can bring the family together without the added drama of cheating.

So, in many ways, blackjack is great for bonding with the family and especially helpful for the children to learn some social skills. These social skills can come in handy in more affluent environments where mannerisms and posture matter. Believe it or not, gestures and mannerisms do matter when playing blackjack.

From the parent’s point of view, we strive to set a great example for our kids to play. Blackjack, in its own way, carries a sense of class. Because blackjack is the centerpiece of the biggest casinos in the USA, it requires members who play in person to follow a reasonable dress code. So, when playing as a family, we like to be semi-formally dressed. Because first-time impressions are everything, instilling in our kids a sense of professionalism with blackjack can carry them a long way into the real world, like important business meetings and job interviews.

Teaching Kids Discipline and Strategy Through Blackjack

Even though blackjack is straightforward, it does require discipline to win. Of course, the biggest obstacle in playing blackjack is busting. Busting means having a playing hand greater than 21, leading to an automatic loss. To win at blackjack means having discipline. Having discipline carries in all forms of life, not just blackjack.

To help them develop discipline, we can encourage the kids to come up with a strategy chart. While the strategy chart helps players when to hit and stand, however, there is more to it than that. By creating a basic blackjack strategy chart, we are instilling in our kids the idea that they should find more than one way to succeed in life. In life, they are going to encounter roadblocks, so what better way to teach them how to overcome them than by finding multiple paths to victory?

Of course, even with a sound strategy chart, you’re not always going to win playing blackjack. That’s the nature of the beast. Instilling the principles in our kids at an early age can also help them learn that they are now always going to win and to have humility in those moments.

However, most importantly, teaching blackjack helps them understand the importance of knowing when to walk away and not cheat. Some blackjack players are incredibly skilled at card counting, which is considered cheating at most casinos. It’s important to instill in our kids that cheaters don’t win in the long run, and it can burn many valuable bridges down the road.

And even if they are winning, knowing when to walk away at the right time is an incredible life skill. Living to play blackjack, like any game, can lead to disorders and ruin friendships, marriages, and even family. Having a set time to play blackjack and encouraging our kids to walk away from the table when they are winning is the greatest win in all life.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding activities that bring the family together while also being educational can be a challenge. However, one activity that has stood the test of time, offering both entertainment and learning opportunities, is poker. Often associated with high-stakes gambling, poker is, in fact, a game of skill, strategy, and psychology that can be enjoyed by all ages. By integrating poker into family life, not only can you create memorable bonding moments, but you can also impart valuable life skills to your children. This article discovers how poker can be a fun and strategic addition to your family’s routine, offering insights into its benefits and practical applications.

Discovering Poker as a Family Bonding Activity

Poker is more than just a game of cards; it’s a social experience that can bring families closer together. When families gather around the table to play poker, they engage in a shared activity that encourages communication and interaction. The game requires players to read each other’s expressions and body language, fostering a deeper understanding of one another. This aspect of poker can be particularly beneficial for families with teenagers, as it provides a platform for open dialogue and connection in a relaxed setting.

Moreover, poker nights can become a cherished family tradition. Setting aside a regular time for poker can create anticipation and excitement, giving everyone something to look forward to. It’s an opportunity to unplug from digital distractions and focus on each other. The friendly competition inherent in poker can also teach children about winning and losing gracefully, an important lesson in sportsmanship and resilience. By making poker a regular family activity, you can strengthen familial bonds and create lasting memories.

In addition to its social benefits, poker can also be a tool for teaching important life skills. The game involves strategic thinking, decision-making, and risk assessment, all of which are valuable skills in everyday life. As family members play together, they can discuss strategies and share insights, promoting a collaborative learning environment.

This shared learning experience can enhance family dynamics as everyone works together to improve their poker skills and, by extension, their critical thinking abilities.

Teaching Kids Critical Thinking Through Poker

Poker is an excellent way to teach children critical thinking skills. The game requires players to analyze situations, make decisions based on incomplete information, and anticipate the actions of others. These skills are directly transferable to real-life situations where children must navigate complex social and academic challenges. By playing poker, children learn to think critically and strategically, skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

One platform that has made poker accessible to families is GGPoker. With its user-friendly interface and variety of game options, GGPoker allows families to play together online, even when they can’t be in the same room. This accessibility means that poker can be a part of family life regardless of geographical constraints. Moreover, GGPoker offers tutorials and resources that can help children and beginners understand the rules and strategies of the game, making it an excellent tool for teaching critical thinking.

Playing poker on platforms like GGPoker also introduces children to the concept of responsible gaming. Parents can use this opportunity to discuss the importance of setting limits and understanding the risks associated with gambling. By framing poker as a game of skill rather than chance, children can learn to approach challenges with a strategic mindset. This perspective encourages them to think critically about their decisions, both in the game and in real life, fostering a sense of responsibility and maturity.

Incorporating Poker Strategies into Everyday Problem Solving

The strategic thinking required in poker can be applied to everyday problem-solving. Card games like poker teach players to evaluate their options, weigh potential outcomes, and make informed decisions. These skills are invaluable in daily life, where individuals must navigate a myriad of choices and challenges. By incorporating poker strategies into their decision-making processes, family members can approach problems with a more analytical and strategic mindset.

Moreover, the patience and discipline learned through poker can help individuals manage stress and uncertainty. In poker, players must remain calm and focused, even when the odds are against them. This ability to stay composed under pressure is a valuable skill in both personal and professional settings. By practicing poker strategies, family members can develop the resilience needed to tackle life’s challenges with confidence and poise.

Integrating poker into family life offers a unique blend of fun and learning. As a bonding activity, poker encourages communication and connection, helping families build stronger relationships. The game also provides an opportunity to teach children critical thinking skills, preparing them for the complexities of the real world. Platforms like GGPoker make it easy for families to play together, regardless of distance, and offer resources to support learning and responsible gaming.

Moreover, the strategic thinking and problem-solving skills honed through poker can be applied to everyday life, helping individuals make better decisions and manage stress. By incorporating poker strategies into their daily routines, family members can develop the resilience and analytical skills needed to navigate life’s challenges.

In a world where digital distractions often pull families apart, poker offers a way to come together, learn, and grow. By making poker a part of your family’s routine, you can create lasting memories and equip your children with valuable life skills. So, gather your family, shuffle the deck, and let the games begin.

As for the card game, blackjack or “21” is one in which players get to sum up their cards’ value and aim to make their provided set closer to 21 than that of the dealer. While in essence a game of chance, there is a way in which you can maximize your betting and the amount that you receive in return. From learning how to play blackjack and how to set up your landing, up to ways to increase your likelihood in the succeeding rounds in the game.

Key Points to Remember

Players make individual bets with the dealer only in blackjack, unlike in typical casino games where players compete. The goal is to have a hand total greater than the dealer while not going over 21, which is called a bust. Any player who has a higher value than the dealer without going bust will win their bet; a hand that is lower would be taken by the dealer.

Objective of Blackjack

Blackjack’s objective is to triumph against the dealer while not going over 21. This is a game where the main aim of each of the players is to defeat the dealer without necessarily having to defeat the other players. The aim of the player in each round is to obtain a higher score than the house dealer without going busting, that is, one with a total score higher than the number 21. The value of a hand is determined by adding up the point values of the cards: cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10, while Aces have the option of them being either 1 or 11. An Ace, together with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King, amounts to exactly 21 points and is referred to as a Blackjack.

Rules of Blackjack

Preliminarily, at the beginning of a round of blackjack, players make their bets with the help of special chips or other provisions that are obligatory regarding the dealing of cards. This first bet is called a ‘buy-in’ or the minimum allowed bet on the table by the dealers or the croupiers. Afterward, bets are placed, and the dealer hands a face-up card to each of the players and a face-down card to him or herself, which makes the players see each other’s hand while not being able to see the dealer’s first card. The dealer has to use a normal deck of 52 cards, excluding the Jokers, and before distribution, the decks have to be reshuffled.

Subsequently, the dealer provides the second card placed face-up on the table to the players while having the same face-up placed for himself. The layout of the game starts with the first player on the dealer’s left while the subsequent players take their turns in a clockwise manner. They next choose to “stand,” meaning they are satisfied with their hand, or “bust,” meaning they want another card and hope it brings their total closer to 21 without going over. To signal that one should stay in a place, one is supposed to put their hand on the table flat and wave, while for hitting, one has to tap the table with two fingers. The total can also be hit consecutively when the value goes up to 21 or exceeds this value.

One of the players goes, he or she takes a hit or stands; all those who ‘bust,’ i.e., the ones whose score exceeds 21, lose their bet. At the end of each round, all these players have made their choices, and the dealer automatically turns over his or her face-down card. If the sum of the open cards is 16 or less, then the player must take more cards; if it is 17 or more, then he or she can stop. The dealer is an active participant, but he works under different conditions as compared to the players. If the dealer is dealt a blackjack, all the players lose the game except when they have a blackjack, and then the result is a tie or a push, and the bet is not taken away but returned to the players. A push also takes place if the sum of the cards in a player’s hand equals what the dealer has.

Lastly, bets bring the conclusion, and the new rotation starts. If any of the players have a better hand than the dealer without going bust, then such a player is paid 1:1 of the bet. A Blackjack hand usually has a ratio of 3:2 when it comes to paying out. The dealer gathers and mixes the cards to play the subsequent level in a round of the game.

Advanced Gameplay Strategies

Splitting

If you get a couple of cards, like two 8s, then you can” split” your hand into two separating hands by putting the second bet on the new hand. Then, tell the dealer that you want him/her to “hit” your hand or each of your individual hands. Splitting actually gives you that extra turn in the round as it considers every individual hand alone. Even if one of your hands is busted, you keep right on gambling with the other.

In the splitting of Aces, you are only allowed to hit one hand while taking a second hit on the other. Double 21, on a split hand, is not considered a Blackjack to be paid but will push it if the dealer also has a Blackjack. Based on the grouping, splitting can be done between any two cards of the same value, for instance, a Queen and a Jack, both with a value of 10 points. However, it is allowed to talk about this rule, and each casino can have exceptions to it; therefore, ask the dealer first. To signal a split, hold the hands together with the palms down and then take the middle and the index finger of the right hand and make a ‘V’ on the table.

Doubling Down

There are optional side bets – that can be placed after the first cards have been dealt – for example, you can risk the initial bet and double it before the next dealer’s card is drawn, thus possibly earning more money. Doubling down enables drawing only one additional card, though it can be preferred when you have strong cards. Especially when one is dealt a soft hand, for example, an Ace/11, it is recommended to increase the wagering since attaining ten-value cards automatically gives one a Blackjack. Use this hand gesture to indicate that you want to double your bet by using an elongated finger to lightly tap the surface of the table. If you don’t want to double the bet, you can choose to bet a smaller sum. Any hand with a value less than 21, including split hands, can be doubled, but you cannot hit after you have doubled.

Surrendering

If you are unlucky to be dealt a pathetic hand, you can ‘surrender’ to the dealer as opposed to the hitting or staying strategies. A payout is the loss of half of the player’s initial bet and is used when the player does not want to risk a complete loss. For example, if you want to convey that you are a ‘sucker,’ place your one hand flat on the table and use your pointer finger to move from side to side. Also, it should be noted that not all casinos offer this option from the list of strategies that are available to the player.

Side-Betting (Insurance)

Insurance is an optional side bet that can be made when the dealer’s first card, which is dealt face-up, is an Ace. This bet supposes that the dealer’s face-down card has a value of ten, after which everyone with a hand value of ten or eleven doubles their bets to get a blackjack. Insurance bets cannot be higher than the main bet and can be placed at the same level or at a lower level. If the dealer has a Blackjack, all the players who have only bet lose their money except those who also have a Blackjack, but if the player has bet, it is collected, but the insurance pays 2 to 1. For instance, where the insurance bet is on 1 chip, it would pay out 3 chips. If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, your insurance bet is lost.

Popular Blackjack Strategies

Even if you ask the dealer to hit, complete probabilities expose you to basically upcoming a 2, 3, or 4, or even an Ace. Again, it is wiser to remain with your cards while hoping that the dealer’s hand would be lower than yours since the consequence of busting is severe. They are 4 ten of spades, 4 ten of hearts, 4 ten of clubs, 4 ten of diamond, four jacks, four queens, and four kings, all of them amounting to 16 out of 52 in a standard deck of cards. As it has already been said above, it is not a certainty that the dealer has a ten in the hole, but it is working in the best interest of the dealer to have a ten than any other certain value card. Hence, this is a reasonable strategy that beginners can use.

More experienced individuals, however, apply a different approach entirely to achieve more effective results. Also, it is a strategy for the dealer to stand when holding a 17 or higher while hitting if he has below 16. Thus, if the dealer has the first card that is 6 and gets a King on the next card, making a total of 16, then he/she has to take a card. Since the probabilities of getting an Ace, 2, 3, or 4 are lower than that of getting any other card, it is better to consider that a small first card may bring the dealer to busting. Lastly, although it is not far from the truth that insurance could sometimes be profitable, there is almost certainty when the dealer is likely to be showing an ace with another ten-value card. Thus, it is less risky, as a regular rule, to turn down insurance bets.

Casino Etiquette Guidelines

Indeed, in gambling territories, for security reasons, all denominations must be made to lay on the table, and it clearly shows the amount that the player is willing to stake. The dealer will then begin to count the money, and the funds will be accepted. Depending on the payment made, the corresponding number of chips will be issued. There are some general rules that apply in blackjack, such as not picking up your cards but leaving them on the table after the dealer has dealt with them. As much as some casinos may allow the handling of the cards, this can only be done one hand at a time. The decisions made by the players must be lived out on the field to eliminate quarrels or misunderstandings.

The hand signals are as follows: place the flat side of your right hand on the table, and drum the table twice with the pointer and middle finger to indicate a hit, move your right hand in a circular motion above the table to mean stay, put the tip of the right index finger on the table, and move it horizontally from left to right to signal for surrender, put your right hand in ‘V’ hand sign to mean split, and extend the pointer finger and touch it. Using Blackjack strategy charts is fine; however, looking at your phone for the chart may be prohibited, so ask the dealer first. Finally, if your pocket allows you, it is a good idea to tip the dealer a little so as to show your appreciation for having run the game. The choice of donating between $5 and $10 is rather popular, although you can donate more if you have been lucky.