Player's Betting Options

Many gamblers are attracted to blackjack simply because of the amount of control that players have over the actual play of their hand. You're in total control and the rest is basically up to the luck of the draw. Below we've detailed the blackjack methods and choices that are available to these players.

Hit or Stand

After a dealer deals for all the players at the table their first two card, the player must make a playing decision. He can choose to hit or to stand. Hitting means that the player will ask the dealer to deal him another card from the deck and he announce that he wants to hit by tapping the table with his fingers. Than you will be dealt as many cards as you ask until you bust or decide to stand.

If the gambler is satisfied with the total of his first two cards and thinks he has a chance with those cards to win, he will choose to stand with the current total. The player indicates he stands waving his palm facing down over his cards.

Doubling Down

When a player has two cards and thinks that with only one more card he will beat the dealer, he may double his bet in change of receiving only one more card (good or bad). You announce the dealer that you choose to double down by placing an equal bet next to your first wager. Any wins or losses are now based on this new total wager. The only exception to this is if the dealer has blackjack; in that case, only your original wager is lost. Learn more about Doubling Down Bets

Splitting Pairs

If your first two cards are of equal value you can split them in two separate hands. After you will indicate to the dealer your choice by placing an equivalent stack of chips next to your original bet, he will separate your cards on the table and deal you another card for the hand in the left until you bust or win. Than the same procedure is repeated for the second hand. Learn more about Splitting Pairs Bets

Insurance

After all players have been dealt their initial two cards, if the dealer's up card is an ace, you'll be offered insurance before anything else happens at the table. Insurance is a side bet that supposedly 'protects' against the dealer's potential blackjack. These bets are made at half the value of the original wager.

This bet is then placed in the section of the table where it says "Insurance pays 2 to 1". If the dealer has blackjack, players with blackjack get a push, all other hands lose, and insurance bets are paid off. The next hand is then dealt. Statistically it is never advantageous to take insurance.Learn more about Insurance Bets

Surrender

This playing option is rare and only sometimes is permitted in casinos. After receiving his two cards, if the player does not like his prospects, feeling that he will not be able to beat the dealer, he may announce surrender. The dealer will remove his cards from the table and half of his bet. After that, the player will no longer be involved in that round.

The player must announce his decision of surrendering before the dealer will deal the first hand and after he checks his cards for a Blackjack. This is known as 'late surrender'. Learn more about Surrender Bets

Dealer's Play

After all the players at the table completed their hands the dealer can draw cards to complete his hand. The dealer has no decisions to make The rules after the dealer plays are governed by a set of rules. Casino rules usually state that if the dealer has a total point value of 16 or less, he must take a card and if he has a count of 17 or more he has to stand and these rules are all printed on the felt table so that everyone can see them.