Blackjack is simple to understand and not too difficult to master. You can earn a fortune while playing blackjack. Thousands of online blackjack players has done that and you too can do it. Read on to clear any doubts that you have about blackjack.

Objective of the Game

The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by making a hand valued at 21 or closest to it. Anything more than 21 is considered a "bust" or "too many", which leads to immediate defeat.

Card Rankings

In blackjack, cards from 2 to 10 carry their face value. Jack, Queen, and King are valued at 10. The Ace is valued at 1 or 11, depending upon your choice. When you play online blackjack, any Ace dealt is automatically counted as 1 or 11, so you don't need to know how an Ace is counted.

Beginning a Game

To begin a game, you need to place your bet within the table limits. This bet is also called "ante". After you place your bet, you and the dealer are dealt two cards each. Both of your cards are visible whereas only one of the dealer's cards is visible. This card is called "up card" and the card that lies faced down is called "hole card".

Your Turn

If you are not dealt a blackjack (a combination of Ace and any 10 value card), count your hand total. Your goal is to build a potentially winning hand, so judging the quality of your hand, you can take further actions listed below.

• Hit : Drawing another card is called a hit. You don't need to place additional bets to hit. After a hit, your hand total is increased by the value of the drawn card.

• Double : You can even double down your bet, if you see a potentially winning hand. For example, if your hand total is 10 or 11, the highest card that you can be dealt is a 10 value card. If it happens, your hand total can shoot to 20 or 21, respectively, which isn't a bad hand, is it? Please note that you are dealt a card automatically when you double down your bet.

• Split : Sometimes you are dealt two identical cards, called a pair. If you wish to play two separate hands rather than playing one hand, you can split the pair. Splitting requires you to place an additional bet equal to your initial bet. In online blackjack games, this bet is placed automatically when you choose to split.

• Stand : If you are satisfied with your hand total, you can choose to stand and pass the turn over to the dealer.

Dealer's Turn

When you stand, the dealer takes over. The dealer takes further actions according to a different set of rules. Under the most common rules, the dealer must hit on a hand total of 16 or less. And must stand on 17 or more. Casinos may customize these rules so don't forget to check out the rules in advance. We at Club Player Casino follow the most common set of rules.

Determining the Outcome of a Game

To determine the outcome of a game, your hand is compared against the dealer's. If your hand is better than the dealer, you win the game and receive an even payout. But if it's the other way around, you lose your bet immediately. In case of a tie, your bet is returned to you.

Once a game is over, you can start a new game by placing another bet and getting the cards dealt.

Insurance Bet

In Blackjack Games, you can place a side bet called insurance bet when the dealer shows an Ace. You are paid 2-to-1 on insurance bet and this bet is equal to half your initial bet. You bet on dealer's blackjack. If the dealer comes up with a blackjack, you get the payout. However, if the dealer does not come up with a blackjack, you lose your insurance bet. In any case, the game still continues and your hand is compared against the dealer's to determine the outcome.

To begin playing blackjack, that's all you need to know. To sharpen your blackjack skills, you can read about advanced blackjack techniques like basic blackjack strategy and blackjack card counting. These techniques can certainly help you make good in online blackjack as well as in land-based blackjack.