Blackjack
is
a
simple
game
with
a
really
skinny
house
edge
if
played
optimally.
The
aim
of
the
game
is
to
beat
the
dealer's
hand
without
going
over
a
count
of
21.
The
game
starts
with
the
player
placing
a
bet.
They
are
then
dealt
2
cards,
face
up.
Cards
are
worth
face
value,
picture
cards
worth
10
and
Aces
are
worth
1
or
10.
The
dealer
also
takes
2
cards,
one
face
up,
the
other
face
down.
The
player
then
has
a
number
of
choices.
They
can:
-
Hit
-
ie
take
another
card.
The
player
can
hit
as
many
times
as
they
like
without
going
over
21.
If
the
player
goes
over
21
they
bust
and
the
bet
is
lost.
-
Stand
-
do
not
take
another
card
-
Double
down
-
double
your
bet
and
receive
one
more
card
only
-
Split
pairs
-
if
the
player's
2
cards
are
a
pair,
they
can
double
their
bet,
split
the
pairs
and
play
2
hands;
Once
the
player
(s)
have
completed
playing
their
hand,
the
dealer's
down
card
is
revealed.
If
the
dealer's
hand
totals
16
or
less
they
must
hit,
17
or
more
they
must
stand.
If
the
dealer
busts,
players
who
haven't
already
busted
win.
If
the
dealer
doesn't
bust,
all
players
with
higher
hands
win
the
bet,
those
with
lower
hands
lose.
"Blackjack",
an
Aces
and
a
10
card
is
the
highest
hand
and
beats
all
others
except
another
blackjack.
If
both
the
dealer
and
player
have
blackjack,
there
is
a
standoff.
Winning
bets
pay
even
money,
unless
the
win
is
with
a
blackjack,
in
which
case
the
win
pays
3
to
2.
You
should
also
know
about
insurance...
Insurance
is
offered
when
the
dealer's
up
card
is
an
Ace.
By
taking
the
insurance
bet,
you
are
actually
betting
that
the
dealer's
down
card
will
be
a
10
(ie
the
dealer
gets
blackjack).
The
insurance
bet
amount
is almost
always
50%
of
your
initial
bet
stake,
and
pays
2
to1
if
you
win
(ie
the
dealer
gets
blackjack).
So
here's
an
example:
-
your
initial
bet
stake
is
$100;
-
the
dealer's
up
card
is
an
Ace
and
insurance
is
offered;
-
you
take
the
insurance
(ie
answer
yes
to
dealer's
offer
to
take
the
insurance
bet)
and
therefore
stake
$50
on
the
insurance
bet;
Now
given
the
above
scenario:
-
if
the
dealer
does
get
blackjack...you
lose
your
$100,
but
get
2
to
1
on
the
insurance
bet
-
ie
$150
so
the
overall
effect
is
a
$50
win.
-
if
the
dealer
doesn't
get
blackjack...you
lose
your
$50
insurance
then
play
out
the
hand
(ie
hit
pass
etc)
and
either
win
or
lose
the
original
$100
stake.
Now
that
you
know
how
insurance
works,
don't
use
it,
because
it
is
actually
a
high
house
edge
bet.
