If you’re new to the card table, Blackjack might just be the perfect game to get started. The rules are simple, the play is elegant and there are hours of entertainment to be had. Over time, you’ll begin to develop your strategy and you’ll discover that, far more than a simple game of chance, Blackjack is a thrilling contest between the cards, the dealer and yourself.

Visitors to Valley View Casino in San Diego often show up to play the slots but end up intrigued by the allure of the California Blackjack tables. So, we’re offering this guide to the basics of the game so that you’ll know everything you need to get started playing when you arrive.

The Objective of the Game

Blackjack is a card game that is also sometimes referred to as 21, a name that gives you an idea of your overall objective when you play. Using at least one 52-card deck of standard playing cards, you’ll be dealt your cards face up, one at a time (more often, casinos use six decks, shuffled together, for a total of 312 cards).

The ultimate objective of the game is for the player to earn a total hand that is higher than the one the card dealer has. However, if the total value of any hand goes over 21, the player holding that hand “busts” and automatically loses the game.

How To Play

The game is played at a card table with a dealer and up to seven players. The dealer usually performs their job from a standing position, while the players are seated. Players have a chance to place chips indicating the bets they are making into a box that is printed on the card table.

Each player begins with two cards dealt face up. The dealer also begins with one card that is face up and another card dealt face down. The numbers on the cards indicate their value, while face cards such as Kings, Jacks and Queens are each worth 10. In Blackjack, an Ace has a value of either 1 or 11, depending on which is more beneficial to the player receiving it.

Winning the Game

One at a time, starting from the dealer’s left, players are then given the chance to “hit,” meaning add another card to their hand. They can do this as many times as they wish. However, if they “bust,” the round is over for them. Players can also choose to “stand,” meaning the dealer will bypass them without giving them another card.

Once everyone at the table has taken their turn, the dealer takes a turn as well, choosing to “hit” or “stand” and finally revealing their hand. At that point, each player whose hand has a total value higher than the dealer’s wins their bet and doubles the chips they put up. If the dealer busts, all players who have not already busted themselves win.

If your opening hand contains two cards of the same value, you have the option to “split,” meaning to essentially play each card as a separate hand, while also doubling your bet. If you bust with one hand, you’ll still have a chance of success with the other.

The Hands

Since the goal in Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, you will ideally need a great starting hand to have the best chance of victory.

The absolute best first two cards to have are an Ace and any card worth 10 (so a 10, King, Queen or Jack). These two cards add up to 21 and are referred to as “Blackjack.” It’s impossible for the dealer to beat this hand, although they may tie it with a Blackjack of their own. A tie in Blackjack is referred to as a “push.” When this occurs, no one wins and the bets are simply returned.

Without a Blackjack, a player can also be extremely successful if their first hand contains two cards worth 10. if they do, then only a hand containing exactly 21, including Blackjack, can beat them.

Having a first hand that adds up to 11 can also be a strong one. That’s because adding a single card is not capable of causing busting; however, it is still a risk if a player continues to hit.

Blackjack Strategies

Part of the fun of visiting a California Blackjack table is that the game, unlike other card games, demands a certain amount of skill and strategy. By working to anticipate the hands that may be played and developing a plan for when to hit and when to stand, you can increase your overall success—and overall enjoyment—at the table.

The first part of a successful Blackjack strategy is to keep an eye on the dealer’s card—remember that it’s not important what the other players have—and compare it to your own. If the dealer has a low card below 7, and you have a higher hand, such as a 15 or 16, you will statistically have a greater chance of success if you stand.

Conversely, if the hand the dealer is holding appears stronger—for example, if they have an Ace—and yours is middling, then you should most likely hit. For example, if the dealer carries an Ace and your opening hand is a 12, then your odds of busting with a hit are relatively low. However, your odds of beating a dealer who is holding an Ace are even lower if you choose to stand in this case.

Where To Get Started

The guide above will help you to understand the basics of Blackjack games. However, there is a lot more to learn about how the game is played and at the end of the day, developing your strategy is a matter of practice. Not to mention, it’s fun to play!

To get started, visit Valley View Casino here in San Diego, California. Our team will be happy to assist you in learning the ropes of this legendary game. You can also earn free offers by joining our Players Club so that you can return for many more thrilling games at our California Blackjack tables.