Blackjack Basics

Question 1

What is the objective of blackjack?

Answer 1

to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer, without exceeding 21

Question 2

How is blackjack dealt?

Answer 2

• counterclockwise from the dealer
• first card down, second card face up
• Players are given the option of taking any number of cards at once, starting at the left of the dealer and ending with the dealer.

Question 3

Who is the “house” in blackjack?

Answer 3

the dealer

Question 4

What is the value of the numbered cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) in blackjack?

Answer 4

face value (the number on the card)

Question 5

What is the value of the face cards (jack, king, and queen) in blackjack?

Answer 5

each is worth 10

Question 6

What values can aces have in blackjack?

Answer 6

either one or 11

Question 7

What does it mean to “stand” in blackjack?

Answer 7

reaching a desirable hand value and choosing not to receive any further cards from the dealer

Question 8

What does it mean to “hit” in blackjack?

Answer 8

choosing to receive another card from the dealer

Question 9

What does “double down” mean in blackjack?

Answer 9

• To double down means that you will double the initial bet and take exactly one more card
• Usually only allowed after the first two cards are dealt
• Only some casinos allow doubling after splitting
• Some casinos only allow doubling down when the first two cards total 10 or 11

Question 10

What does it mean to “split” in blackjack, and when is it allowed?

Answer 10

• To split means to independently play two cards when two of the same card are dealt
• Each card is then dealt another card
• The bet is doubled (one for each “hand”)

Question 11

What is “insurance” in blackjack and how much is the maximum you can buy?

Answer 11

• “Insurance” is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack – typically offered when the dealer is showing an Ace
• The maximum insurance bet is half of one’s original wager
• If the dealer indeed ends up having blackjack, then you only lose your insurance bet, but keep your original wager

Question 12

What does it mean to “surrender” in blackjack and how much of your original bet do you keep?

Answer 12

• “Surrendering” is deciding not to play the hand you’ve been dealt
• You may keep half your bet if you surrender
• Not all casinos offer surrender as an option

Question 13

What is the return on a regular winning hand in blackjack?

Answer 13

• Each winner against the dealer usually doubles his initial bet (original wager plus 100%)
• E.g., a win on a $500 wager returns the original wager plus $500 ($1,000)

Question 14

What is the loss on a losing hand in blackjack?

Answer 14

• The initial wager (leave with nothing)
• E.g., a loss on a $500 wager returns nothing ($0)

Question 15

What is tying the blackjack dealer’s score called and what is the return?

Answer 15

• It is called a “push”
• The initial bet is returned
• E.g., a push on a $500 wager returns $500

Question 16

What is a “blackjack” and what is the return?

Answer 16

• A “blackjack” is receiving a 10 or face card and an ace in the initial deal (for a value of 21)
• Usually returns initial bet plus 1.5 times the initial bet
• E.g., blackjack on a $500 wager returns the initial wager plus $750 ($1,250)
• Some casinos offer a special return on the ace and jack of spades

Question 17

What happens if the dealer has blackjack?

Answer 17

• You lose immediately, without the opportunity to play your hand
• The only exception is that if you also have blackjack (results in a push)

Question 18

What happens if both the dealer and a player have blackjack?

Answer 18

the player pushes

Question 19

What does tapping the table mean in blackjack?

Answer 19

a hit (requesting another card)

Question 20

What does waving one hand above your cards (parallel to the table) mean in blackjack?

Answer 20

stand (choosing not to receive any more cards)

Question 21

What is “five card Charlie” in blackjack?

Answer 21

• being dealt five cards with a value less then or equal to 21
• “Five card Charlie” wins the hand
• Not available at some casinos

Question 22

What is “soft 17?”

Answer 22

• when a player or the dealer has an ace and a six (or, an ace and cards adding up to six)
• Some rules require the dealer (but not the player) to hit on soft 17, while other rules require the dealer to stand

Question 23

When does a dealer have to hit in blackjack?

Answer 23

• usually, when the dealer’s cards add to 16 or below
• Some casinos require the dealer to hit on “soft 17” as well

Question 24

When must a dealer “stand” in blackjack?

Answer 24

when the value of the cards in his hand total 17 or greater but do not exceed 21 (though some casinos allow standing on “soft 17”)

Question 25

What does it mean to “bust” in blackjack?

Answer 25

to choose to take a card that brings the total value of one’s hand to more than 21

Question 26

What determines who wins a hand in blackjack?

Answer 26

The person with the highest value hand who has not “busted” (exceeded 21 points) wins the hand