Blackjack, or twenty-one, is a game that has only one goal, which is to get a higher score than the dealer without surpassing 21. Each card has its values, for example, the cards from two to ten have their face values. Kings, Queens and Jacks are valued at 10 points. Meanwhile, Aces can be one or eleven points. Therefore, the player needs to get two cards that sum up 21 or less, but, to win, it has to surpass the dealer’s point. You can get a blackjack, or a natural 21, when the first two cards dealt are a 10-value and an Ace.
The dealer, which is your only adversary, is the only person you should be worried about. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the other persons who are sitting on the table with you because they are too playing solely against the dealer. As for the bets, you can start by betting the minimum amount, which you can increase later on, if you win you get a proportion of 1:1, but if you win by a blackjack you get paid 3:2 (you get 3$ for every 2$ you wager). Although it is a one-versus-one game and the easiest to learn – yet the hardest to master -, blackjack can be quite challenging for those who are not courageous enough to battle their luck.
While the dealer is your only adversary, your luck is your biggest enemy. With that said, it is important to note that the dealer has no freedom to determine the course of play and thus has to follow the rules. Therefore, if the dealer does not get a blackjack right off the start, the players will have the freedom to choose the best course of play. On the other hand, if the dealer’s first card is an ace or a ten, he must check for a blackjack, which will cause all the players to lose. There are some strategies that try to teach the player how to win against the house, however, there are also some that are not helpful. For example, there is a strategy that advises the player to follow the dealer’s steps. Do not play as the dealer plays. The player is always the one who plays first and, if both of you burst, the house will still win.
However, if your desire is to stay safe and understand the dealer’s plays, then you can opt for the Insurance strategy, which allows you to make a side-bet that is independent of your original wager and will even out the money you would lose. This strategy is often put to use when the dealer’s first card is an Ace, which requires him to check for a blackjack. On the other hand, if the dealer is dealt with a soft 17, he must hit to see the total value of his cards. If he bursts, all the players win.
Blackjack is not difficult to learn, but it is one of the hardest card games to master. The player has to keep in mind that the only adversary is the dealer, who, in turn, must abide by the house rules. Therefore, the player has all the freedom in the game to determine the best course possible. There are some strategies available, but, before using one, the player must understand how the dealer plays and how their actions affect the entire game.