Now let’s go over the main deals that players should remember when playing blackjack.
Blackjack or “natural”
A deal made up of an ace and a card worth 10 points, whatever it is, is called a blackjack, or a so-called “natural” hand. If you have this hand, it means that you are automatically winning, unless the dealer also has a “natural” deal (you get the full amount you had bet).
Soft (or supple) hand
Assuming that the ace can be worth one or eleven points, if you have a hand of two or more cards with an ace worth11 points, it is called a “soft hand” (in English, soft hand).
Hard (or rigid) hand
If you have a hand of two or more cards with an ace worth1 point, it is called a “hard hand” (in English, hard hand).
How to play blackjack?
1. The game begins after the players have bet. The amount of wagers may be limited depending on the rules in force at the gaming table. The dealer deals two cards, one after the other, to each player, and face up (in certain types of blackjack, such as Pontoon, cards can be dealt face down). Then he deals two cards to himself, one face up, the other face down (called the face down card).
2. Once the players have been served, they must decide how their hand will be. The dealer goes from player to player, and they choose whether they want to fold (take or “draw” another card) or stay (not draw another card). Players can also choose to “double” or “split” – the meaning of these two terms will be explained in a few moments.
3. The dealer plays after all the players. He plays for him according to a simple but codified rule. The general rule is that of “The bank draws at 16, and remains at 17”, which is also often written on the table itself. This means that the dealer draws cards if he has a hand equal to or less than 16. If his hand is equal to or greater than 17, then he “stays” (he does not draw any more cards).
4. Since each player plays only against the dealer, his hand is only compared against that of the latter. The cards of other players are therefore not important, unless the player is counting the cards. It is sometimes said that the play of other players can influence yours, but these are only urban legends; all players play against the bank.
5. The dealer wins when the player goes bankrupt or has a lower hand than the dealer. If the player wins, the dealer gives him money according to his stake. When the dealer wins, the player obviously loses all his bets (except side bets) made with his hand.