Blackjack Player Options

Once the dealer has dealt the initial cards the player may be faced with several options depending on the hand dealt to them.

1.) Hit

If the player wants an additional card this is called a hit

2.) Stand

If the player is satisfied with their total score they will stand by showing the dealer a palms down waving signal.

3.) Doubling Down

In the United Kingdom you can make an additional bet equal to your initial stake if the total of the player?s first two cards totals 9, 10, or 11. In the United States the player may double down on any score of the initial two cards as long as it?s not a blackjack. When the player opts to double down they may only receive one more card. For a player to decide whether or not to double down they must look at the dealer?s card. See the chart under basic strategy for more guidance on this.

4.) Pair Splitting

After the player?s initial two cards have been dealt they may split them if they are a pair. When the two cards are split into two hands the player must then match the his initial bet for the second hand created. In Great Britain pairs of 4, 5, and 10 are excluded from the possibility of a split. A player familiar with Blackjack strategy would not think it wise to split these cards anyway. If aces are split only one additional card can be received by the player. If the player splits aces and receives a 10 this is not considered Blackjack as this can be attained only on the first two cards received. This is considered a score of 21.

5.) Insurance

The player may obtain insurance when they have a Blackjack and the dealers face card up is an ace. Here the player makes an additional bet of half the original stake. If the dealer has Blackjack you lose your original bet but insurance pays out at 2/1. If the dealer doesn?t have blackjack he loses the insurance bet but is paid out at 3/2 for his original bet. Insurance bets have a 6% house edge and is considered a bad bet. Some casinos may offer even money instead of the insurance. Therefore, don?t take insurance or even money.

6.) Surrender

This is a good option for the player where offered, but unfortunately not many casinos offer this. There is early and a late surrender meaning before and after the dealer has looked at his second card. The player must state to the dealer directly surrender. The player may surrender when their cards are:

a.) 9-7 or 10-6 againsts the dealers 9, 10, or ace.

b.) 10-5 against dealers 10.

The player with a 15 or 16 with the dealer possessing a 10 has the two worst hands available with more than a 75% chance of loosing that hand. Therefore, surrender is a good option under these surcumstances.

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