Blackjack is a casino game where players try to beat the dealer. The game can be played with one to eight cards and a player’s hand must rank higher than the dealer’s to win. Players can also double down, which increases their payout if they win. To maximize your chances of winning, learn the rules of the game, including doubling down, and practice using free blackjack games online.
Before the deal begins, each player must place a bet, usually in chips. There are minimum and maximum bet limits set by the casino. Once the bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each player face up. The player then decides whether to hit or stand. If the player’s hand value is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, they win and are paid an amount equal to their original bet. If the dealer has a blackjack, they collect all of the player’s bets and then shuffle and start another round.
When to double down
Often, the best time to double down is when you have an initial pair of cards that total 10 or 11, and a picture card or a ten will bring your count up to 21. Adding one more card will make your hand more likely to win, but you can only do this once per round. The other option is to stay, which means that you won’t get any additional cards and your current hand is still in play.
Other than hitting or standing, players can also choose to make side bets, like a re-bet and insurance. Side bets are riskier than the main bet, and you should only play these bets if you’re comfortable with losing money.
When to hit
While you may want to stick with a strategy that has the best chance of winning, some players prefer to take more risks by making more aggressive moves. For example, some players will always hit a hard 17 if the dealer has a 10, while others will split other pairs and double on all hands with a count of 9 or lower against a bad dealer card.
When to stand
A good rule of thumb is to always stand when your hand value is close to 21, assuming that the dealer will bust with his or her next card. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting a worse hand value and possibly losing your money to the dealer. Similarly, if you are on a losing streak, don’t assume that you are due for a win, as the odds of each hand remain the same. Progressive betting increases, where you double your bet each time you lose, can quickly add up and cost you a lot of money. Unless you are comfortable with this, never use the Martingale system.