The best hand in blackjack is 21, also known as a ‘natural’. This hand consists of an Ace with a King, Queen, Jack, or 10 card. It is almost impossible to beat, except when the dealer has a blackjack. When this happens, the player’s bet becomes a push. If the dealer has a blackjack, the game is a tie. If the player has an ace, the bet becomes a push.
Splitting a pair
If you have a pair of cards of equal value, you may want to split them, as this can reduce the house edge to almost 0.60%. But whether you should split or double down depends on your pair. If your pair of cards is weak, splitting may not be a good option. In other cases, doubling down is a better option. Regardless of the choice, always remember to consider the house edge when making this decision.
Insurance bets
Insurance bets on blackjack are a popular way to reduce the house edge in a game of blackjack. The maths behind these bets is the same as for a standard insurance bet. There is a clever twist, however. An insurance bet wins 2:1 in case the dealer has Blackjack. It is recommended to bet even money when playing blackjack, and you can often find it at online casinos. Here are some reasons to place an insurance bet:
Checking the dealer’s cards
When the dealer’s down card is an ace or ten, he looks at his face down card to determine if he has a blackjack. Otherwise, he exposes the card and takes your bet. If both you and the dealer have a blackjack, the round is over. Insurance bets are paid out at a 2:1 ratio and are generally not worth taking. Here’s an example: A player bets $10 on blackjack. The dealer shows a 10-valued card on the hole card. The player loses the blackjack bet but wins the insurance bet, causing him to win $10. This means he didn’t lose any money and gained a chance to win additional cash.
Standing on an ace
If you have a pair of aces, the best bet is to split them. A split pair can result in two new hands, each worth the same amount as the original bet. However, after splitting, you are limited to doubling down on your first move. In addition, you cannot play on an ace after it has been split. However, if you’re dealt an ace and a 10 and the dealer shows an ace, you should always double down.
Dealing with a 10-value card
When dealing with a ten-value card in blackjack, you must make sure that you don’t split the aces with your other cards. If you do, you’ll greatly increase the chance of winning the game. Blackjack offers a wide variety of ten-value cards, so if you receive an ace, then it’s probably better to split it with your other cards than risk busting out.