The Dealer's Turn

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

   Once all the players have taken their turn, the second act of the play unfolds. You might have a good hand, but remember: you still need to beat the dealer.

The dealer then takes the hole card and turns it face up. If the total is 17 or greater, the dealer stands. If the total is less than 17, he or she must take a card until the total reaches 17 or greater. The wrinkle here is that at some casinos, the rules state that the dealer must stand on a combination of an ace and a 6, known as a "soft" 17 (more about this shortly) while other casinos make the dealer hit it.

Some casinos offer different rules for different tables depending on amount of decks and minimum bet. It is considered more favorable for the player when the dealer stands on 17 and typically, this rule variation is spelled out on the green felt of the table cover, or layout.

Once the dealer has either reached a decision, he/she either pays the winning players or takes the players chips, depending on each individual hand or if he/she has busted or gone over the total of 21. The hands are paid in equal amounts to that bet (i.e. if you have placed $10 in the betting circle, you are paid $10. If you have doubled your $10 bet and have $20 in the circle and won, you are paid $20.)

If you busted, or the dealer has beaten your hand and removed your money, it is wise to wait to make a new bet until the next round has begun. That way, there won't be any confusion as to whether the dealer has taken the chips for the bet you lost or not.

Blackjack!

   It's called an Ace and a face, jackpot, and by any other term, it's the name of the game and what we all want. Any combination of an Ace with a face card or any 10 on the first two cards drawn is considered a blackjack and a natural winner, or natural.

From the historical sense of things, there has always been an ebb and flow to this game. The delicate balance that the casino must provide between maintaining rules to protect themselves, but still offer players a fighting chance, is the fulcrum upon which the seesaw battle is played. Ultimately, this house edge, the casino advantage, can be reduced to one thought: the dealer takes the last hit, and the player must make a choice first, i.e. you can go bust before the dealer.

In order to give something back, the player is paid at a ration of 3-2 for blackjacks. This means if you bet $10, you get $15 in return. Depending on the house rules, the money is paid on the spot as soon as all of the cards are distributed, or paid as soon as the dealer turns over his/her first two cards, with one exception.

If the dealer's "up-card" or the one that is face-up is an Ace, he/she will ask if you'd like even money or not. What this means, is that the dealer is indicating a possibility of a blackjack. Since you have one, you are offered the opportunity to get paid even money before the dealer peeks at his her hole card.

A dealer blackjack will happen about one-third of the time, so the odds are with you that the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, and you should refuse the even-money offer by waving it off and wait. At this point, the dealer will move his/her cards under a small illuminated mirror and scanner set into the table's surface which reflect the cards back to indicate the presence of a 10 or face card beneath the Ace, or not.

If the dealer has a blackjack, the hand is over and all players lose, the exception being if you have a blackjack as well. If you do, it is called a push, or tie, and you don't get paid, but you don't lose either.

Hand-dealt games

   These games are mostly of the single and double-deck variety, played at higher table limits, although there are exceptions. Usually, when these games are of the $1, $5, and $10 limits, there are rule variations that limit the casino's exposure.

Blackjack theory states that the fewer the amount of decks, the better chance the player has, thus a single or double deck offers the player a better game. The casinos are aware of this as well, so these games are limited.

Generally speaking, in the hand dealt games, the players are allowed to hold the cards with one hand only. Scratching the cards on the felt indicates a desired hit. Your third card, as well as any others additional, are placed face up on the table in front of your betting spot.

If you go over the total of 21, you are expected to place your cards on top of the 3rd or 4th (One note: the game does carry the requirement that the player must be able to add the card values properly. Those who insist on taking cards when over the 21 total on a regular basis will be asked to leave.).

For a split, the two cards are placed next to each other with the same amount of chips as your original bet, adjacent to the betting circle. A double is placed like a split, keeping the two cards together, while doubling the bet size.

To indicate that you are satisfied with your hand and have not busted, you simply tuck a corner of the cards underneath the betting chips, face down. The dealer then knows you don't not want another hit and will move on to the next player.

If you are fortunate enough to draw a blackjack, place the two cards face-up next to your chips and you will be paid 3-2 or asked for even money if the dealer has an Ace on top.

In all cases, do not bend the cards or hide them from the dealer's view. This will be looked upon by the casino as a possible attempt at marking the deck and a few instances of repetition will be cause for them to ask you to depart the game. The casino wants the cards held straight and above the table.

For you poker buffs out there, remember that this isn't your Thursday night game. You don't need to be secretive with the cards. The other players don't care what you have. For that matter, it doesn't matter to the dealer either.