Looking at Your Blackjack Options

Black jack is the oldest and one of the simplest games in casinos. But this game has quite a number of options in playing.

Here they are :

1. SPLITTING PAIR - in this first option in blackjack a player has the privilege to split any cards dealt to him that matches with each other like for example if he was dealt with two 5's , he can return the other card to the dealer faced down, or separated if the card was given face up. Then a bet equal the first bet is placed on the newly replaced card.

For example : if a player has a bet of 5 $ and was given cards of two 8s, he returned one of them or split them. Splitting the two cards he now places another 5 $ bet on the other 8 card. The player likewise will now be betting on the two cards. He draws cards to pair for the first 8 card until he is satisfied and then draws another pair of cards for the other 8 card, just like the original card.In this kind of option in blackjack, any pairs can be split, and for the purposes of pairs, all 10- value cards are considered pairs. For example, a 10 and a queen, or a jack and a king are considered pairs, but as we know 10s should not be split. Aces can be split but unlike other pairs only one card can be given to each ace. However aces equal to 11 should always be split.

2. DOUBLING DOWN - Another option in blackjack is doubling down - this option in blackjack makes the player double his bet on his original one should he wants to. If he wants this he may have an additional card, but only one card. Doubling your bet, one must remember that you can't stand on your original hands total, and you will be given additional card by the dealer.

The rules of doubling down on any two cards are permitted practically on all casinos except in Northern part of Nevada. In this part of Nevada, only 10s and 11s may be doubled down. When doubling down, the player turns over his cards if it were given face down and places his bet equal to the original bet. When the cards are given to him face up, he just make an additional bet.

3. SURRENDER - Another interesting option in blackjack is surrender. This option in blackjack is done by the player if he or she does'nt want to continue playing against the dealer. He or she may have the option to forfeit half of the original bet he has.

For example : A player placed a huge bet out and the dealer puts out a 10 as his upcard. The player was given a 16 pair of cards, and feels that if he continue playing he would be busted, and if he stands the dealer will have 17 or more thus beating him, the player may surrender his hand. There maybe some instances where the player verbally say his intention of giving up and just simply say " surrender". The dealer in turn will remove his card and half of his bet.

4. INSURANCE - This option in blackjack is done when the dealer's upcard is an ace. Before sneeking into his hole card the players are given the opportunity to have their bets " insured ". The dealer then says " insurance ", so that the player may put one half of their bets from the original bet they preferred that the dealer has a 10 value card.

If the dealer has a blackjack, the insurance bet wins, and is being paid off at 2 to 1 but the original bet losses , hence it is a standoff. An insurance bet is really a wager that the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer gets a blackjack, the insurance bet wins, But if the dealer doesn't have a 10 value card in the hole, the insurance bet is lost and taken away.