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If you\u2019re dealt an ace and a card worth 10, this is known as Blackjack and is the best hand in the game. Blackjack is the world\u2019s most popular casino card game, both online and in land-based casinos. Alexander checks that every real-money casino on our shortlist offers the high-quality experience players deserve. Adam Volz is an online gambling expert who specialises in researching and writing content to help players find the best casino for them. An ace card in blackjack usually counts as 11 unless this brings your hand over 21. Our strategy guide will walk you through a few in-game scenarios, and offer advice on counting cards and on when to alter your bets.<\/p>\n
You can only use the side rules once, when it\u2019s your turn to act after the deal. Your aim is to get a hand worth as close to 21 as possible and more than the dealer\u2019s without going over (or \u2018bust\u2019). Then, the ace would only count as 1 instead. You need to get a hand with a score of as close to 21 as possible, without going over it.<\/p>\n
Dealers can only hit or stand, and aren’t allowed to double, split or surrender. If they have 18 or above, whether it’s a hard or soft hand, they must always stand. In all cases, the dealer must hit if their total points value is 16 or less. It’s best to think of them as an interesting option that some gamblers enjoy betting on. The only time to take insurance is if you’re card counting using the Hi-Lo Method and the true count is +3 or greater, in which case you should always take insurance. When you buy insurance, you add half of your stake to your wager, placing it in the insurance section of the table.<\/p>\n