Learning Blackjack

I found this nifty site that's a great resource for blackjack beginners. The web site I'm talking about is called, Hit or Stand. It is a free online blackjack game and trainer that teaches you blackjack strategy while you play. The goal of the game is to make a high percentage of correct moves and not to earn money, as most online gambling websites are.

The Game Play and Strategy

The Hit or Stand game works just like any other online blackjack game, however your score is determined by your ability to execute the correct moves on each hand. After the cards are dealt, you have the option to Hit, Stand, Double, or Split. Because this game is a trainer, it is up to you to add the cards and know whether you are allowed to split or double. An illegal move will be counted incorrect. If your move is legal, it will be determined to be correct and will be an increase in your points.

This online game has two modes of play: easy and difficult. In both modes you will be dealt 20 hands, and your final score will be the percentage of correct moves you made out of the incorrect ones. In difficult mode, the hands will by more challenging, and there is now a time element since you'd only be given 4 seconds to make a decision.

Basic Online Blackjack Rules

While blackjack does change from casino to casino, it generally has to form of rules - Las Vegas rules or Atlantic City rules. However the fundamental correct moves do not differ that much and in many large scale casinos the rules are similar. Below are some very basic blackjack rules.

• The goal of blackjack is to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21.
• Face cards are worth 10. Aces are worth 1 or 11, whichever makes a better hand.
• Each player starts with two cards, one of the dealer's cards is hidden until the end.
• To 'Hit' is to ask for another card. To 'Stand' is to hold your total and end your turn.
• If you go over 21 you bust, and the dealer wins regardless of the dealer's hand.
• If you are dealt 21 from the start (Ace & 10), you got a blackjack.
• Blackjack usually means you win 1.5 the amount of your bet. Depends on the casino.
• Dealer will hit until his/her cards total 17 or higher.
• Doubling is like a hit, only the bet is doubled and you only get one more card.
• Split can be done when you have two of the same card - the pair is split into two hands.
• Splitting also doubles the bet, because each new hand is worth the original bet.
• You can only double/split on the first move, or first move of a hand created by a split.
• You cannot play on two aces after they are split.
• You can double on a hand resulting from a split, tripling or quadrupling you bet.

If you plan on seriously learning blackjack and maybe later on learn the art of card counting, visit hit or stand to learn the basics.

Website: www.hitorstand.net