Gambling - Las Vegas - page 242

nights. Watch and you'll see that as the number of players increase, more
tables will open (generally with higher minimums) in response to the
demand. Once all players have bet, the dealer will deal two cards to each
player as well as two cards to herself. Only one of the dealer's cards, however,
will be dealt face-up. The dealer will then move clockwise around the table
to allow players to play out their hands.
2. Look at the first two cards the dealer starts you with. If you wish to “stand,”
then wave your hand over your cards, palm down (watch your fellow
players), indicating that you don't wish any additional cards. If you elect to
draw an additional card, you tell the dealer to “hit” you by tapping the table
with a finger (watch your fellow players). Generally speaking, you should not
hit a hand that totals 17 and over. Whether to hit a hand with a total value
below 17 will depend on the card that the dealer is showing to the table. For
proper strategy, see the “Basic Blackjack Strategy” chart on p. 247.
3. If you do hit your hand and your count goes over 21, you are “bust” and
lose. Note that unless a dealer has blackjack, players always play their hands
out before the dealer, so even if the dealer also goes “bust,” you still lose.
4. If you make 21 in your first two cards (any face card or a “10” with an ace),
you've got blackjack (also known as a natural). In most cases you will be paid
1 1 ⁄ 2 times your bet (though some casinos pay out only 6 to 5 on 1- and 2-
deck shoes), provided that the dealer does not have blackjack, too, in which
case it's a “push,” and nobody wins.
5. If you find a “pair” in your first two cards (say, two 8s or two aces), you may
“split” the pair into two hands and treat each card as the first card dealt in
two separate hands. You will need to place an additional bet, equal to your
original bet, on the table (so if your original bet was $10, you need to put
down another $10). The dealer will then deal you a new second card to the
first split card and play commences as described above. This will be done for
the second split card as well. Players are advised to always split “8”s, since
they equal 16, which is the worst number you can get. Never split face cards
or “10”s, as a 20 is likely a winning hand. Note: If you split aces, you will
receive only one additional card per ace and must “stand.”
6. After seeing your two starting cards, you have the option to “double down.”
You place an amount equal to your original bet on the table and you receive
only one more card. Doubling down is a strategy to capitalize on a poten-
tially strong hand against the dealer's weaker hand. Though most casinos will
To vs. For
Be aware of the difference between “to” and “for” when it comes to odds.
u 5 to 1 means that if you win you receive 5 times your original bet, plus you
get the original bet back.
u 5 for 1 means you only get five times the bet back.
The difference may seem small, but in the long run it can make quite an
impact.