Basics of Online Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, both online and in land-based casinos. There are many variations of this game, but the basic rules are the same. The goal of the player is to get a hand that totals 21 points or closer than the dealer’s without going over. If a player’s hand is equal to 21 it is called a “blackjack” or a “natural,” and the player wins an even money bet.
The first step in playing blackjack is placing a bet. Players usually place their bets with chips, which are exchanged at the cashier for real money in offline casinos. Chips are normally of different colors and have different values attached to them.
After the bets have been placed, the cards are dealt – two to each player and to the dealer – face up or face down, depending on the game being played. Once all of the players have their cards, they can choose to hit (get another card) or stand (keep their current cards). Doubling down is also possible in some casinos, although this is often restricted for hands with an ace or 10 in them.
In most cases, the dealer will peak at his or her cards to see if they have a blackjack. If the dealer does, the players lose their bets and the game is over. The dealers must always stand on a soft 17 in most cases, although some online casinos allow them to hit on a soft 17.
When playing blackjack, the value of each card is determined by its rank and point value. For example, a four is worth 4 points while a jack, queen or king is worth 10 points. Aces are worth either one or 11 points, depending on the game being played. The points of all the cards in a player’s hand are added together to form their score.
Besides hitting and standing, blackjack players have other options to choose from, such as splitting and insurance. Splitting allows a player to divide their initial bet into two separate hands that will be played out independently of each other. Generally, only cards of the same value can be split. In some casinos, a split ace is considered a single card and not an 11. Insurance bets are available at some online casinos, but they are rarely profitable.
Some online casinos offer tournaments where players compete to win a set amount of money. These tournaments are usually over a period of time and include a series of rounds where one or two players are dropped from each table at pre-determined intervals. The tournament winners will then advance to the next round. In some tournament formats, the final two or three players will play each other for a chance to become the champion of the event. This format of blackjack is similar to other poker tournaments and requires skill and strategy to succeed. The most important thing to remember when playing blackjack in a tournament is that you must stick to basic strategy.