How to play American Blackjack

American blackjack, strangely enough, is well known in Russia. Only it can be called differently: for example, "Twenty-One”. The rules are quite clear and simple: you need to score as many points as possible, but no more than 21, otherwise it will be "Overkill". However, when playing this game in the casino you need to know some subtleties.

What is the difference between the game "21" and blackjack

These games have a lot in common, but there is a major difference. In blackjack, the game is played against the casino, on behalf of which the dealer acts. In 21, the casino is not involved, the game is played against each other. In addition, in American Blackjack you can raise the stakes in the process of the game, and in general, the amounts are much larger. In fact, these are the main differences.

The main features of American blackjack

American blackjack implies several main features. Among them are the following:

1. Using multiple decks. American Blackjack typically uses multiple decks of cards (usually 6-8 decks), making card counting more difficult and making the game more predictable.
2. Late supply of cards to the dealer.The dealer receives his second card after all players have completed their actions (picked up extra cards or stopped), giving him a chance to check if he has "blackjacked" (21 points) with the first two cards.3. Insurance.Players can use the insurance option if the dealer shows an ace as his first card.Insurance allows players to hedge their bets against a possible blackjack by the dealer.
3. Split Allowance. Players may split their cards into two separate hands if they have a pair of cards with the same denominations. After splitting, they continue the game with two independent hands and bets.
4. The dealer takes a card on a "soft 17." In American blackjack, the dealer usually takes an extra card if his hand contains a "soft 17" (i.e., an ace and a six, for example).
5. Extra Bets. In this version of the game, players may have access to additional bets such as betting odds, insurance, etc.
6. Special rules regarding blackjack and "pools". Some U.S. Blackjack rules may include special features related to Blackjack and Draw (Push) payouts, which may differ from other variants of the game.

These subtleties are useful to know when you choose American Blackjack in a casino.There are virtual variants of the game as well.

Basic combinations in blackjack

There are a few basic combinations. They determine the outcome of the game:

1. Blackjack (Natural 21). This is a combination in which the player gets 21 points with two cards, namely an Ace and a card with a face value of 10 (a ten, jack, queen, or king). Blackjack is the strongest combination and is usually paid out in a 3:2 (or 1.5 to 1) ratio.
2. A hand totalling 21 points. If a player has no blackjack but their hand reaches 21 points with three or more cards, this is also a strong combination. In this case, the payout is usually 1:1 (money).
3. Insurance. This combination is not related to the player's cards but to the dealer's cards. If the dealer shows an ace as his first card, the player can make an insurance bet if he assumes the dealer has a blackjack. The insurance payout is usually 2:1 if indeed the dealer has blackjack, and the player keeps his bets.
4. Pair (Pair). If a player has two cards of the same denomination on the starting cards, he may decide to split them (split). After splitting, each card becomes the beginning of a new hand and the player makes an additional bet.
5. "Soft Hand. A "Soft Hand" is a hand in which the Ace can be counted as a 1 or 11 depending on the situation. For example, a "soft 17" is a hand with an ace and a six. "Soft" hands allow the player more flexibility in choosing actions.
6. "Hard" Hand. A "Hard Hand" is a hand in which the Ace is counted as 1 to avoid overcalling (summing cards over 21).

Ideally, you should get Blackjack to maximize your winnings. In a live game, card counting is used. If the game is purely virtual, this approach loses its meaning, because the cards are random every time. But online casinos often play "real" or "live" blackjack, when the dealer is playing the game via video link and uses real cards.