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Classic Blackjack Rules and Terms |
What is Classic Blackjack?Classic Blackjack is original — traditional — blackjack. There are many variations of blackjack, but Classic Blackjack is where it all began, and it is the most frequently played version of blackjack in land-based and online casinos.
Classic Blackjack is played with one standard deck of cards, which is shuffled before each game. The goal — as in any blackjack game — is to beat the dealer by either getting a better hand than the dealer (without going over 21) or by the dealer going "bust," i.e., having cards that total more than 21. How to Play Classic BlackjackClassic Blackjack is played with one deck of cards. This is an unusual feature — most blackjack variations these days use two to eight decks — and it is advantageous for the playerIn Classic Blackjack the 2 through 10 cards are worth their face values. Jacks, queens and kings are worth 10 points. The ace has a value of either 1 or 11. If the first two cards the player or the dealer receives are an ace and a 10-valued card, then that hand is called a blackjack or a "natural." If the player is dealt a blackjack, he has to stand - he cannot take any more cards. If the dealer gets a blackjack, all players who do not also have blackjacks lose - even players whose hands total 21. The hand is considered "pushed" if the player and the dealer tie. In the case of a push - both in the case of a blackjack and a regular hand - the player's original bet is returned to him In Classic Blackjack, a player is permitted to "hit" (take another card) until he either busts or decides to "stand" (stop with the cards he has." He is permitted to stand whenever he wants to. The dealer does not have the freedom that the player has. The dealer must hit if his cards total 16 or less, and he must stand on all hands — including soft hands — that total 17 to 21 Players may "double down" only on a hand with a value of 9, 10, or 11. When a player doubles down, his bet amount is doubled and he receives one more card, and then automatically stands. A player may "split" only if he receives two initial cards with the same denomination (as opposed to cards with the same value). This means that if he receives a Queen and a ten he may not split, but he can split two Kings or two 7s, for example. Splitting aces is permissible, but if a player draws a 10 card after splitting aces, the result is not considered a blackjack or a natural. In Classic Blackjack a player can split only once per hand. If the dealer's first card is an Ace, a player can take "insurance," which is a bet that is equal to half of his original bet. The insurance bet is a "side" bet, which means it is separate from and independent of the original bet. With an insurance bet, a player can win (at odds of 2:1 on his insurance bet) even if he loses to the dealer's blackjack. If the dealer does not get a blackjack, the player loses the insurance bet. There is no surrender option in Classic Blackjack. How to Win at Classic Blackjack
If the dealer gets blackjack but the player has taken out "insurance" (placed the insurance side bet), the insurance bet is returned at a rate of 2:1. Definitions and Terms for Classic Blackjack21: A hand that is not a blackjack, but whose value totals 21. A blackjack beats a 21.Blackjack: A hand comprising an ace and a 10-point card. A blackjack is unbeatable, though it can be matched. It is the strongest hand in Classic Blackjack. Bust: A hand that goes over 21. Denomination: The name of the card, which is not necessarily the same as it's value. A 7 has a denomination of 7 and a value of 7. A queen has a denomination of queen and a value of 10. Doubling Down: A play in which the player's bet is doubled and he receives one more card. Hit: When a player asks for another card to add to his hand. Insurance: A side bet by the player, made if the dealer draws an ace. The bet is won by the player if the dealer has blackjack. Push: When the player and the dealer have tied hands. Split: If a player is dealt two original cards of the same denomination, he can split the cards into two separate hands and the same bet is placed on each hand. Stand: Either the player's request or the dealer's requirement not to be dealt any additional cards. Value: The numerical worth (not denomination) of a card. Face cards have a value of 10; aces have a value of 1 or 11.
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