Basics
The objective of blackjack game is to manage a hand with value not above "21", and better that what the dealer has. If the hand is above 21 then the player loses. So to win a blackjack game your hand will be compared with the dealers and whoever has a better hand wins. The rules of blackjack are not necessarily the same in every casino, there are a set of standard rules that the dealer and player must follow.
Card values
The cards numbered from 2 to 9 have a value equal to its face value.
The cards "King", "Queen", "Jack" and "Ten" each have a value of 10.
Depending on whether the Ace card is a "soft" or "hard" hand, it is valued at either 11 or 1.
The blackjack game only considers the card values to make a deal. The maximum value possible is 21 and this can be achieved with several different combinations of the cards. For example, the combination of 6, 7 and 8 or 8, 9 and 4 will give the required value of 21.
The Ace is the moat valuable card in blackjack. It can either be valued as 1 or 11. The value of the Ace card is calculated automatically by the game system if you are playing the game online. The use of the Ace can help you get the best hand. When playing if you have an Ace and the number 7 card, your best possible hand is 18. and if you decide to take one more card then you can that turns out to be the number 3 then you will make a hand of 21. But in case you are dealt 9 then you will make 17 only as the Ace will be valued as 1.
Soft hand and hard hand
A hand is termed "soft" if it involves an Ace whose value can be 11 or 1 without crossing above the maximum of 21. For instance, assume you are dealt 6 and an Ace then the hand you make is a "soft 17". The hand is "hard" if, considering the same example, you are dealt a card with value 10 then the hand is a "hard 17".
The player has several options during the game, the standard options in all casino blackjack games are - Surrender, Hit/Stand, Double, Split Pairs and Insurance. The options are the same for the online version of the game as well.
There are also some standard rules that apply strictly to the dealers. The dealer is not allowed to take any more cards if they make a hand that is 17 and above. In short the dealer has to continue till he goes bust or if he gets to 17. The online blackjack games allows the dealer to take another card if the hand is a "soft 17" and they stop when they get a "soft 18". When the dealer stops taking cards it is referred to as a "stand".
Online Blackjack