Blackjack Basics - Online Blackjack Basics

Blackjack has won one of the more respectable places among the other casino games partially due to a rather plain set of rules easily memorized and comprehended. Another reason may lie in the fact that in most of the land based casinos Blackjack occupies twice as many tables as any other game, beckoning more and more people to take part in it. The game focuses on the player's ability to contend with the dealer while each one strives to draw cards to add up to 21 without crossing this number. The one who gets closer to 21, takes all the staked share.

Those are the basics and you could sit down and play knowing just that. If you keep reading, here at www.onlinegambling2002.com  you'll learn more about the play, variations, and options involved in the game.

One additional thing, here at http://www.onlinegambling2002.com  to note on the table is a statement about "17." On the table's felt it will either say, "Dealer Must Stand On 17" or "Dealer Must Draw On Soft 17s."

Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings count as 10; Aces count as either 1 or 11, as you choose. Other cards play at their face value. You are given a chance to draw additional cards, one at a time, to get closer to 21. If you "bust" (go over 21), you lose and the dealer collects your bet.

If your count is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win. If it is under the dealers, you lose. A tie is a standoff and results in a "push" (nobody wins).

The dealer has no choice on hitting or staying; he must hit when holding a 16 or under and stay on a 17 or over. At some casinos the dealer must hit a "soft 17" more on this later. After each player is satisfied with the number of cards they have asked for, the dealer must turn over her hidden card. If the dealer has 16 or less, she must "hit," that is, draw an additional card or cards until reaching 17 or over. Dealer must stand on a 17 or more. If the dealer "busts," all players left in the game are paid.

Those are the basics and you could sit down and play knowing just that. If you keep reading you'll learn more about the play, variations, and options involved in the game.

Blackjack Basics - The Table, at onlinegambling2002.com

The table is U-shaped with the dealer on one side and up to six players on the other. On the table next to the dealer a sign will tell you the minimum bet. You must bet at least that amount on each hand you play. On a busy night it will probably be easier to find a seat at a $500 game than at a $5 game. Pick a game that fits your budget and your comfort level. There are still $1 and $2 games in Las Vegas, but they are getting harder to find.

The next thing to look at is the name of the game. There are several variations of blackjack, but they all have different names: Spanish 21, Fun 21 or See Through Blackjack are a few. There are also other games that have nothing to do with blackjack that are played at similar looking tables: Mini Baccarat, Let It Ride or Caribbean Stud might look like blackjack games at first glance. Make sure the sign and/or the felt on the table says, "Blackjack."

The final thing to check is to make sure there is a seat available. Up to six people can play, but there may be a person playing two or more hands at one time. Make sure there is a spot with no cards or chips in front of it before you sit down.

Blackjack Basics - Buying In

You'll need chips. The dealer will be happy to sell you chips or make change for larger chips. Just place you cash or big chips on the dealer's side of the betting box or circle in front of you. If you put it in the betting box and aren't paying attention, you might bet the whole thing on the next hand. The dealer will probably ignore it until the current hand is completed, with all winners paid and losing bets collected.

While you are waiting it is a good time to see if the cards are being dealt face-up or face-down. Face-up is more common and if that's the case, only the dealer can touch the cards. Players use hand signals or verbal instructions to let the dealer know what they want to do when cards are dealt up. If the cards are dealt face-down, the players pick up the cards, but they must be kept over the table surface and you need to make sure that you don't bend or nick the cards when you handle them. Now that you have your chips, put the amount you want to play on the first hand in the betting box.