Casino Blackjack Table Etiquette
- Take the time to hone your skills so you can influence the outcome of each game and get an edge over the competition at your table. Blackjack etiquette and rules. Blackjack is by far one of the more simpler card games available to play at any brick-and-mortar or online casino. The aim of the game is to score closer to 21 than the dealer.
- 10 rules and rituals to play like the pros. Blackjack, also known as twenty one, is one of the most popular games in the casino. The rules are simple, the play is thrilling and if played with basic strategy it comes with a nice, low house edge.
Having one of the lowest house edges in casino games and a relatively simple ruleset makes blackjack a lucrative game for many players. It is excellent if you want a chance at winning some decent cash, but it is also great if you are looking for a game that you can sink some time into learning how to master.
A blackjack table is a busy environment, and when playing with others, it is important to maintain proper blackjack etiquette. So, here we share with you how to behave at a blackjack table.
If you follow our recommendations throughout, you will not only have a better chance of making friends with other punters, but you’ll also keep the heat off of you from the casino.
The Subtleties of Blackjack Table Etiquette, Explained Blackjack is one of the most exciting and engaging table games, especially if you prefer to play in a brick-and-mortar casino. Of course, you have to practice frequently, hone your strategy and choose carefully where you play.
Joining a Blackjack Table
When it comes to finding a seat at a game of blackjack, things might not be as apparent as they seem. The first thing you need to do is to find out whether there is an available seat.
Often players will play multiple hands in blackjack, so, although a seat may appear spare – there won’t be any room on the betting circles at the table.
You can find out by using your eyes or asking someone. If there is a spare and available seat, take a seat but wait until the current round is finished before you try to buy-in. Be aware though, as some tables restrict game entry throughout a deck, and require that you wait until the next deck shuffle.
Placing Your Bet and Handling Your Chips
When you are placing a bet, you do so by placing the necessary chips within the marked area on your betting circle. Once you have placed your bet and the dealer has effectively begun dealing the cards – do not touch your chips.
Further, If your bet includes multiple chip denominations don’t think you are coy and hiding lower denomination chips under a higher-value chip. Always put the highest denomination chip at the bottom of your stack.
Seriously though, that will never fool a dealer.
Handling Your Blackjack Cards
Most games of blackjack are played with cards being dealt face-up. In these games, there is no need to touch your cards as they are all showing. These games do not allow you to touch the cards at all in any event.
However, if you are playing a game of blackjack that deals with face-down cards, then you are permitted to handle your cards. It is proper etiquette only to use one hand when handling and to keep the cards above the table at all times.
Casino Blackjack Table Etiquette For Dummies
How to Use a Blackjack Strategy Card at the Table
There is nothing wrong with using a blackjack strategy card when you are learning how to play blackjack, or need the extra assistance from time-to-time.
Many casinos will often provide one if you need, but you must remember that there are other players at the table. Try not to bring the pace of the game down by spending excessive time consulting your strategy chart.
If you do this, then you will likely frustrate and alienate other players.
Collecting Your Winnings
If you manage to win your hand, the dealer will pay out your winnings by placing the relevant chips next to your wager. Don’t rush to grab your winnings immediately, though.
We get it, it is exciting and feels good to win, but it is better and more socially acceptable to wait until the dealer has finalised all winning bets, as well as collecting all dealt cards for that round.
Leaving a Blackjack Table
Now, we include this one as it can be a sensitive point for many players. While you might think that you can just get up and leave whenever you like (don’t worry, you can), but it’s a little more complicated than that.
If the table that you are playing at is on a hot streak, i.e., everyone is hitting on some wins then you should consider holding out on leaving until the next deck shuffle.
This is because of superstition and maintaining the hot streak of luck. Many players believe that if you leave a table during a period when it is hot, then you will break the juju of the good run.
At the end of the day, you can do as you please, however, maybe consider asking the other players or simply wait it out.
Casino Blackjack Table Etiquette Rules
When you do leave the table, it is a kind gesture to the table to consolidate your chips. This is just like when you ask the cashier at Woolies to exchange a $20 note into smaller change. Instead, you are consolidating your smaller chips for singular larger chips, i.e. swapping five $20 chips for a single $100 chip.
Often the tables need these lower denomination chips, so it’s good practice to reduce the amount you are holding.
Tell us what you think about Blackjack Etiquette?
If you can think of anything else please let us know in the comments section below. If you would like to test out your skills before entering a real money casino we go into the difference between offline and online dealers here.
Jun 5, 2014
Blackjack is a great casino game, since it’s one of the few table games outside of poker that can be won using skill. While the blackjack rules appear simple on first glance, to become a good player you’ll need to master them, along with basic strategy.
Unlike the roulette table or craps where the outcome depends on random numbers and a bit of luck, by knowing how the game of blackjack functions, understanding its rules and employing strategy, it becomes easier to win at blackjack.
If you’re a pro player, maybe this article isn’t for you, but for those curious about playing blackjack for the first time, or novices who don’t know the ropes of playing the game, then read on!
Blackjack basics
First things first, you’ll need to know how to play by the blackjack rules before being able to break the casino with card counting technique or complex game play you’ll read about on blackjack blogs.
Basic blackjack strategy tips:
• If your cards are 8 or under, always hit, no matter what the dealer shows.
• If you get a hard 17 through to 21, always stand no matter the dealer’s up card.
• If you have a 10, and the dealer has a 10 or ace, hit, otherwise, double down.
• If you have an 11, the dealer an ace, hit, otherwise double down.
To understand the basics, in blackjack it’s important to talk a bit about the deck. Normally, blackjack uses a 52 card deck, usually more than one, since sometimes two decks are used, but this can go up to 6 or 8 depending on the casino.
The cards that run 2 to 10 have their face value, whereas face cards are rated a value of 10 and aces are either 1 or 11. The simple objective of the game is to either get a blackjack (two cards totaling 21), get as close to 21 as possible by beating the dealer.
The players are dealt their hands and must decide how to play. When it comes to the dealer, he or she must draw more cardsuntil they hit 17, on which they must stand. The dealer only draws once the players have played their cards.
When you play, you must hit, stand, double down, spit, surrender or ask for insurance.
You hit to get your cards closer to 21, but if you go over this number then you “bust” and lose the bet. In a casino, you’ll tap the cards to signal you want to hit, since verbal calls are not enough for in casino games.
You stand when your cards are high, and drawing anymore risks busting. To signal this in a cards-up game, you’d wave your hand over the cards to signal a stand.
Hitting and standing are basic moves, but sometimes you’ll want other options. If you have a total of 10 or 11, then you may want to double down, so you put an identical bet by placing two chips equal to your original bet, next to the original cards.
If you have identical cards, you can split the pair and start as a separate hand. To do this you place another identical bet. To decide when to double down or split, read a little about basic strategy.
Sometimes, if the dealer’s card shows an ace, you can take insurance, which takes half of the original bet, although many blackjack pros advice against it.
Variations of blackjack rules
Not all games of blackjack are created equal, for example, Vegas casino blackjack rules may differ from those found in Macau or Monte Carlo.
These shifts may appear to be insignificant, but bare in mind that even a slight change in the blackjack rules could skew the house edge in their favor.
For example, allowing the player to double down after splitting is good for the player, but bad for the house edge. It’s a good idea to scout the casinos if you have a choice here.
Surrendering is a rule that changes from casino to casino. Some permit early surrenders, when the dealer’s face card shows an ace, the house can allow a player to surrender half the original bet instead of playing the hand before the dealer checks for blackjack.
Late surrender allows the player to give up half the bet rather than playing the hand once the dealer checks the blackjack. Some casinos also allow players to surrender in general, like if they have a hard 16 and the dealer shows a high card.
The usual payout of 3-2 in blackjack favors the player, but some casinos pay out 6-5, which benefits the house. It’s best to avoid these games if you have an option to go for 3-2.
Good table manners
Playing blackjack isn’t just about knowing whether to hit or stand, but it also includes the player customs and etiquette when it comes to the game.
For example, when you sit down at the blackjack table, you wait for the dealer to finish the hand in progress and then once he or she is done, you then place the currency on the table and push it toward the dealer saying “change please”.
Once you’ve placed a bet by putting the chips in the betting box, you keep your hands off them. When betting, stack the smallest denomination on top.
Make sure you learn how to use hand signals. Most casinos won’t accept verbal calls to hit or stand, and so on. This is a basic must for casino blackjack play.
And if you want to take a break to use the rest room, you can ask the dealer to mark your place, where a plastic disk will be used in your betting box to indicate the seat is occupied.Smart strategy
Once you get how betting etiquette works in the casino and you’ve understood the blackjack rules, you can then play better by employing smart strategies which will help skew the advantage in your favor.
Blackjack strategy allows you to make a statistical approximation on how you can play with the best possible odds available. An easy way of doing this is to use a strategy chart, which you can take with you, but it’s best to learn the rules off by heart.
So once you’ve got a handle on the rules, this should be your next avenue to blackjack success!
Tags: Blackjack rules, blackjack strategy, Vegas casino blackjack rules, win at blackjack