Blackjack is, in essence, a simple counting game. The blackjack rules are straight forward, uncomplicated, and easy to master. First, you will be given two cards at the beginning of the game, one face up and one face down on the table. Their combined numerical value is the starting point for you to count up to twenty one by accumulating additional cards. Adding up the value of your cards is relatively straightforward: numerical cards have the value shown on their face and all face cards have a flat value of ten. The only exception in the blackjack rules is the Ace, which can be either an eleven or a one as needed. The ideal hand in blackjack is a combination of a face card with an Ace to make a perfect twenty one. If you reach twenty one with just two cards, you hold what is called a natural blackjack in your hand.
The catch to the game is that you need to reach twenty one without going over. If you are so unlucky as to pass twenty one, you have “busted” and the blackjack rules dictate that you are out of the game. On the other hand, you can also lose the game if the value of your hand is too low to be competitive. Blackjack is a one on one game with the dealer where you need to beat his hand in order to take the pot. If his cards are closer to twenty one than yours, he wins and you lose.
There are a few scenarios when the basic strategy of closest to twenty one wins doesn’t quite hold up. One example is when you and the dealer end up holding the same numerical value in your hands. According to the blackjack rules, this situation is a push and neither of you win. You and the dealer both are given back the money that you bet and play continues on. Another scenario you may encounter is receiving two of the same cards. When you get a pair the blackjack rules say that you have the option of splitting them into two separate hands. In theory, splitting your cards could double your chances of winning big.
One of the benefits of the blackjack rules is that the parameters of the game can be used to take the edge away from the house. A skilled player can keep a mental record of the cards that have been played and plan their actions based on the cards remaining in their deck. This strategy, called card counting, requires extremely accurate math skills and the ability to keep complex mathematical systems in your head. Before you try to take on the casino with your math skills, you need to know that card counting is extremely difficult and rather beyond the ken of most beginning players. It is also technically against the blackjack rules of most casinos. Your best strategy as a beginning player would be to stick to good old fashioned card playing skills like placing wise bets and trying your best.
