AnswerYou and the dealer each try to get closer to 21 without going over. It is the one common casino game where your decisions change the price.
The rules in five steps
- Place a bet.
- You and the dealer receive two cards; one of the dealer's is face up.
- Hit, stand, double or split.
- The dealer draws to 17.
- Closer to 21 wins; blackjack pays 3 to 2.
Your first round
You bet £1 and receive a ten and a six: sixteen. The dealer shows a seven. Basic strategy says hit, because the dealer probably has seventeen. You draw a four: twenty. You stand. The dealer turns over a ten for seventeen and you win £1. Had the dealer shown a five instead, you would have stood on sixteen and let the dealer risk busting.
What to bet
| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|
| Main hand, basic strategy, 3 to 2 | 1 to 1; 3 to 2 for blackjack | Around 0.5% |
|---|
| Main hand, played by instinct | As above | About 2% |
|---|
| Main hand at a 6 to 5 table | 6 to 5 for blackjack | About 2% with good play |
|---|
| Insurance | 2 to 1 | About 7% |
|---|
| Side bets | Varies | Often 3% to 10% or more |
|---|
Common mistakes
Standing on 12 to 16 against a strong dealer card; taking insurance; playing at a 6 to 5 table.
Before you play for money
- Set a deposit limit.
- Try a demo if one is offered.
- Decide a stake and a stopping point.
- Check the blackjack payout before sitting.
What it costs
At £1 a round and about 60 rounds an hour, blackjack costs about £0.3 an hour on average.
Next
The full guide: Blackjack.
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