Blackjack Rules

Knowing how to play blackjack includes understanding the rules for the players and the dealers. These rules are different for each, and the dealer has much less flexibility when making decisions than the player does.

Each player and the dealer are dealt two cards. The dealer always receives one card face up and one card face down.

Scoring is based on a point total based on the cards’ ranks. Suits are irrelevant.

Cards are worth their face value, except for aces and face cards. Aces are worth one OR eleven, while all face cards count as ten. Hands with an ace in them are called “soft” hands; cards without an ace, or cards where an ace MUST be counted as “one” to avoid going bust are called “hard hands”.

The goal of the game is to beat the dealer by having a higher point total than the dealer while not “busting out”.

Any total over 21 is considered a “bust” and is an automatic loss.

A two hand total of 21 is considered a blackjack and usually pays out at 3 to 2, but sometimes pays out at 6 to 5. A winning hand pays even money, a losing hand results in a loss for the player, and a tie is called a “push”, which simply returns the player’s bet.

Player Options in 21

The player has the following decisions available:

Hitting - A player “hits” his hand by deciding to take additional cards from the dealer.

Standing - A player “stands” when he decides to stop taking cards and take the total he currently has.

Splitting - A player can “split” two cards that are of the same rank into two playable hands by putting up another bet for the new hand, and the dealer gives the player a new card on each of the new, split hands.

Doubling down - A player doubles down by taking one card and standing while simultaneously doubling his bet on the hand. No matter what the additional card is, the player can’t ask for more cards. Surrendering - A player “surrenders” by forfeiting half his bet and ending the hand immediately.

BlackJack Rules for Dealer Decisions

The dealer doesn’t get to make decisions; she must play according to the rules set for her by the casino. Normally the dealer must continue to hit her hand until she reaches a total of 17 or better. Depending on the casino, the dealer may or may not have to continue to hit once she gets a soft 17 too. Is online blackjack rigged? Play at a reputable online casino and you won’t have to worry.

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The Legalities of Online Casinos

Gambling has long been one of the chief adult pastimes in almost every country in the world, and as the Internet has become more technically sophisticated, entrepreneurs the world over have programmed online casino games to entertain people on every corner of the globe. One corner of the globe, however, has attempted to stymie Internet gambling: the United States. The good news is that the technology has long outpaced the regulation, and even today millions of Americans wager money in online casinos. Here's what you should know about Internet casinos.

Online poker has become big business around the world, and many serious gamblers are familiar with the variety of Internet card rooms operating today. Full casino offerings such as slots, roulette, blackjack, craps and keno are relatively more recent on the market. Other popular games such as Bingo and video poker can also now be found online. Obviously it is easier for unscrupulous outfits to run shady tables and scam their players than in the real world, but a variety of websites review the offerings available to ensure you find the most popular, most trusted online casino games.

Yet how are US based players supposed to play without getting into trouble? Online casinos are typically organized outside of the US, either in Canada, the UK, the Caribbean or Asia. Some of the slickest and most popular online casino games such as Virgin Casino take no US players. Others will take most US players, but exclude those from the most heavily regulated states. A number of others will accept all US players, and work through secure Internet merchant programs, most of which require invitation to join. To facilitate the process, the casinos offer you the invite, and the merchants secure the process by requiring you to fax ID before you can cash out.

The State of New Jersey is poised to be the first US state to offer legal Internet gambling, a result of budget troubles in the state. The proposal, which would supposedly only be open to New Jersey residents, would raise about $55 million a year in new tax revenues, with the state's struggling Atlantic City casinos expected to make nearly $200 million for themselves. It remains to be seen how tight the quarantine on gamblers outside of New Jersey will be, but past experience suggests that ways for players in other states to join in the fun are likely.

Because of the high level of competition between various online casinos, many offer tremendous deposit bonuses, offering an extra $500-$1000 up front, or doubling your initial purchase. This is a benefit rarely found at real world casinos, and for those who don't care about money but enjoy the games, online casino games often have free versions to enjoy from your own home. No real-world casinos offer such an opportunity, and the chance to work on betting strategies, card-playing skills and other techniques can make anyone a better gamer.

Online casino games are changing the Internet and the gambling world, making use of the best technology to help more people enjoy history's most beloved games.

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