BlackJack for Women

Basic Blackjack : How to Play

Blackjack, or twenty-one is the only casino game that gives a player the opportunity to play at odds favorable to him.

The first concern of a player who wants to master blackjack - or any game, for that matter - is a thorough understanding of the rules governing the play.

Since most players have probably played blackjack at home with friends, and 'home rules' have applied, the player on his first visit to a gambling casino is usually somewhat bewildered by the casino rules.

Confusion is heightened by the fact that these rules change and vary from casino to casino. It is important that the player review the rules - and in particular the rules of the casinos. It is always best, when in a casino, to consult the dealer regarding interpretation of house rules.

Blackjack is played on a hemicycle-shaped table that is usually wrapped with green felt. During the course pf play, the dealer stands behind the table while the players sit opposite the dealer. There are usually spaces for six players, although some casinos use five and others seven spaces.

On the table in front of each player is a circle, a square or other design on which the players place their wagers. All bets must be placed on or in this designated area before the start of each deal.

The cards used in blackjack are regular playing cards with fifty-two cards in the deck. Usually only one deck is used, although double deck blackjack utilizes two decks, and blackjack when played with a shoe may use several decks.

The card value is as follows: Ace is counted as one, or 11; two through 10, counted at face value; Jack, queen, and king, counted as 10.

The cards are shuffled by the dealer and dealt to the players in turn, starting from the dealer's left to his right. The top card is either burnt (placed on the bottom of the deck, face up), or else a joker is placed on the bottom.

The dealer normally deals a pair of cards to every player, including himself. The dealer's first card is turned face up and his second card face down under his up card.

Usually, both of the players' cards are turned face down, but it does not really matter of the dealer sees a player's hand since he is required to play his cards in a set pattern regardless of any other hand.

When playing double deck blackjack, the cards are all dealt face up, except the dealer's hand, which remains one up, and one down.