Blackjack Introduction Getting Started The Dealer Take A Chance Basic Strategy Intermediate Strategy Advanced Strategy Blackjack Extras Back to the beginning

   Upon an indication that you want to play, the dealer will stack the cards and begin a formalized routine known as the shuffle. He or she will announce, "shuffling" to the casino floor-person assigned to the immediate arrangement of tables, each called a "pit."

Most casinos have a particular shuffle method the dealers are instructed to use to insure that the cards are in a random sequence. This is done to indicate that each shoe presents the cards in a fresh and different order from any previous, to allay any misgivings concerning cheating on either side of the table.

Some casinos employ a mechanical shuffler to cut down the amount of time wasted. From the casino's point of view, any time when the cards are not in play is valuable time lost. Once the cards are shuffled, the dealer, will announce "rolling" to the floor person to signal that a game is about to begin. A solid-color plastic card, called the "cut-card" is offered to a player to place somewhere in the accumulated 6 to 8 decks to further randomize the cards.

The cards are then placed in the shoe, with the front of the cards usually where the cut card was placed. The shoe usually sits on the table close to the dealer's left hand, with the open end where the cards are ejected facing the players. This card is then removed and placed by the dealer toward the back of the shoe, leaving 1.5 to 3.5 decks remaining.

The placement of this card is important as it determines what percentage of the 6 or 8 decks will be played, the general theory being, the more cards are available for play, the greater the potential player advantage.

The Buy-In

   As soon as the cards are snug in the shoe, the dealer removes the front card without revealing it to anyone, and places it face down in a small clear upright open-sided rectangular box to his/her right side, called the discard tray. The front card is called "the burn card."

At that point, the dealer requests that you place a bet with chips that come from that particular casino. If you need to "buy-in," at that point, you place your cash in front of you and the dealer will return an equal value in chips also referred to as "checks."

It is important to observe a small plaque usually located next to either the discard tray or the shoe, which advertises that particular table's minimum and maximum bets. Typically, blackjack tables have minimum to maximum ranges of $1-$100; $5-300; $1000, or $2000; $25-2000; and $100-$5000.

There are places in Las Vegas that will allow larger minimum and maximum bets, chiefly some of the major Strip casinos like Caesars Palace, Bally's, Bellagio, The MGM, Mirage, and Desert Inn.

Betting and Play

   Once your money is exchanged for the coin of the realm, in this case casino chips, the dealer will expect you to place your bet inside the small betting circle immediately in front of you. As soon as your initial bet is made, you cannot touch your chips again, until a decision has been reached with that particular hand.

Your bet in place, the dealer will distribute a card to each player who has bet, moving in a circular direction from his/her left to right, until he gives himself one. In many locations, the cards are placed face up so that all players can see each others' cards, plus the dealer's first one. The dealer then repeats this action.

The second or "hole" card is always placed face down immediately beneath the first.

The dealer then requests you or whomever is sitting in the position to the dealer's left hand (first base) to announce intentions: do you want another card (hit), split your 2 cards into 2 different hands (split), double your bet (double), or refuse more cards (stand).

We will examine the strategies behind this choice shortly.

Every casino has specific and rigid rules pertaining to handling the playing cards, and in most cases it is not permitted, save for the hand-dealt single and double-deck games. This means you must signal the dealer as your choice of hit, stand, double or split.

A hit is indicated by scratching your finger next to the cards on the layout, or pointing at the card in a clear fashion. You indicate to the dealer that you wish to stand by moving your hand or hands back and forth over the cards.

To split a pair, you form a "v" with your forefinger and middle finger over the cards and double your original bet, and to double your original bet with the original two cards, you place a stack of chips equal in value to the original, alongside it. (For more details refer to doubling and splitting).    It is that simple. Again, the casinos are very strict about touching the cards. This is for a variety of reasons, and can't be emphasized enough. You are visiting the casino for a few hours of fun, recreation, and the opportunity to win a few bucks.

Unfortunately, there are people out there who have mastered a variety of cheating styles, and the casino actively seeks to prevent them from succeeding by keeping the cards on the table at all times. A person who is a repeat offender might be asked to leave the table.

Once you have established your intentions to the dealer, and you have not gone over the total of 21, the dealer moves on to the next person at the table, if there is anyone else there. If you have gone over the total of 21, you "bust" and the dealer takes your cards and your chips.