When all players have made their bet, the dealer gives cards. Here again, there is a difference between the individual gaming tables, as the beginner's table is typically played with six to eight decks set of playing cards. At the other tables, fewer decks are played. The fewer decks the greater the advantage for the skilled player, as he can increase his odds by using the right blackjack strategy more on that later. After mixing the cards, the dealer gives each player one face-down card. It is given from the left and the table around. The round ends with the dealer giving himself a short face-down.
This card is called the dealer's down card each player now gets one more card, and the dealer gives himself a face-up card this card is called the dealer's up card. At the beginner's table and at online casinos, all cards are given face-up except of course the dealer's down card. To find the total of the cards, add the values of your cards together as a starting point, an ace has the value. If the total with subsequent cards exceeds the ace changes value. A hand with an ace where the value is called soft, while a hand where all aces have the value is called hard.
If you achieve with your starting hand the total you have blackjack and must show this immediately. If the dealer's up card is an ace, before further cards are issued, check if he has a blackjack however, see the message insurance below. If your total exceeds and your possible aces are all worth you say you're busted and you lose your bet even if the dealer later in the same round busts. In turn, each player finishes his hand. You will have the following possible messages hit if you are not happy with your total and you want a card more then hit.
You must continue to hit until you are satisfied with your total or are busted ie your total is greater than. Stand if you are satisfied with your total and you do not want more cards, you must stand. Doubles do you think there is a good chance that you can beat the dealer, even if you only get one more card, you must double. Therefore, a hand consisting of the cards ace is called a soft while ace is called a hard. Most casinos have a rule that by splitting two aces you only get one new card for each hand. If you get a picture card on a split ace, this does not apply as blackjack.
