In blackjack, a player must have an ace and a ten-card on his or her first two cards to get a natural. If the player gets a natural, he or she will receive one-and-a-half times the amount of his or her bet. In case the player does not get a natural, the dealer will collect the bets of all players and the player will lose his or her chips.
Double down
You may have heard of the term ‘double down’ in relation to blackjack. Essentially, this is a gambling strategy that allows you to double your bet when you have two cards with the same point value. In most cases, you can double your bet if you have two pairs of cards with the same value. However, some casinos limit the number of times you can double down, so check with the rules of the casino where you play.
Insurance
Blackjack insurance is a side bet you can place. While most gamblers would consider it an unnecessary extra, there are plenty of players who find this option beneficial. Here’s an explanation of how to make the right choice. First, understand what insurance is. This bet pays even money if your dealer’s hand has blackjacks. When you’re dealt two blackjacks, take the insurance and bet even money. You’ll make a $10 loss, but you’ll walk away with a $30 profit!
Push
Blackjack pushes are very common in the game. They occur when the dealer and the player both receive the same value hand. The player’s hand is an ace, and the dealer has a blackjack, so the player’s bet is lost. In games with six or eight decks, blackjack pushes are 20% more likely to occur. Single-deck blackjack reduces the risk of blackjack pushes significantly. If you’re not a seasoned blackjack player, you might consider playing single-deck blackjack instead.
Splitting cards
When playing blackjack, you can either hit or split your cards. If the dealer shows a pair of eights, for example, you should always hit. Otherwise, you’ll bust. However, splitting your cards isn’t always the best choice. If you’re unsure whether to split or not, here are a few tips. The dealer must see both of your bets before splitting your cards. If you touch the cards or the original bet before splitting, you’ll be considered to be cheating.
Side bets
When playing blackjack, you may have the opportunity to place a side bet, called the Perfect Pairs bet. This side bet is made on the possibility of the player being dealt a pair of cards of the same value, suit, and color. You can bet on either a pair of suited Aces or a pair of unsuited 2s, although the payout value may vary in some digital casinos.
House edge
The house edge in blackjack is often 2% or higher. This is because when players make mistakes, the house edge increases to almost 2% or higher. But if the player stands instead of taking a chance, the dealer still has a small chance of winning. Variations in the game rules can make the house edge in blackjack even more favorable. Here are some ways to mitigate this house advantage. Read on to find out how you can decrease your house edge in blackjack.