Blackjack Hands - Ultimate BetA blackjack hand starts with each player placing a bet. Then the dealer will give each player and himself/herself two cards. Player cards are usually dealt face up, if dealt out of a "shoe"; face down if dealt out of the dealer's hand.
One dealer card is dealt face up (the up card) and the other face down (the hole card). If the dealer has a ten or an ace as the up card it is possible he has a blackjack in which case all player hands will lose except with another blackjack. In the U.S. the dealer will check for blackjack immediately if one is possible and will collect all losing bets immediately if he does have a blackjack.
In case the dealer has an ace as the up card he will let the players to insure their hands against a blackjack. The insurance bet in blackjack pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer has an ace showing and a player has a blackjack the dealer may ask "even money?" This is because if the player has a blackjack the net result of both the blackjack and the insurance bet will be an even money win regardless of whether the dealer has a blackjack. After all players have had a chance to accept or decline insurance the dealer will check the hole card.
After it has been determined that the dealer does not have a blackjack the players, in turn, may play their hands. The following options are available, after it has been established that the dealer does not have a blackjack the player in turn may play their hands:
Stand: If the player is satisfied with his hand as it is, he may "stand pat" (that is, the player does not want any more cards). To announce you wish to stand wave your hand as if to wave the dealer away. In a single deck game tuck your cards face down under your bet.
Hit: If the player wishes to take another card (take a "hit"), he/she may continue to do so until he/she either stands or busts. To announce you want to hit tap the table with your finger. In a single deck game scrape your cards lightly against the felt.
Double Down: If the player thinks he needs one and only one more card then he may double his bet and be dealt one more card, good or bad. This option is only offered on the first two cards, and sometimes on the first two cards after splitting. To announce you wish to double place another bet next to your original bet of equal value. In single deck place your cards face up by your bet. Remember, if you go for double, you only get ONE more card.
Split: If the player's first two cards are of equal point value he may split them into two hands. In this event each card is the first card of a new hand. The player must also make another wager of equal value to the first for the second hand. The player may usually re-split up to 2 or 3 times if another splitting opportunity arises. Doubling after splitting is usually but not always allowed. To signify you wish to split put the additional wager next to the original wager. In single deck place your cards face up by your bet.
Surrender: Finally some casinos offer the player the option to surrender on the first two cards. If the player does not like their prospects he may forfeit half the bet as well as his cards. This option is generally only offered after the dealer checks for blackjack, known as "late surrender."
After all players have played their hands, from the dealer's left to right, the dealer will play his hand. The dealer must always play by certain house rules. Usually the rule is that the dealer must hit until he reaches a score of 17 or more. Some casinos stipulate that if the dealer has a soft 17, consisting of an ace and any number of cards totaling 6, he must also hit. If the dealer busts, all players that did not bust automatically win.
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