Chemin de Fer Essential Basics – Part 1

The general premise of the game is to be handed cards adding up to twenty one. Each competitor is dealt two cards. When a blackjack player is given a 9 or lower value card and an Ace they’ve been given a soft hand. When the blackjack player receives no Ace it is known as a hard hand. As soon as the cards have been handed to all players at the table, including the dealer, each black jack player is provided the opportunity to make one of six decisions:

Taking another card (Hit): When a blackjack player announces "hit me" the dealer will give them another card, if the addition of that card makes the total greater than twenty one the black jack player will have lost and that’s the end of the game, if the card makes the total to 21 the blackjack player will be the winner and if the value of the hand hasn’t yet achieved twenty one they are still in the game.

Keeping the hand you’ve been dealt: If a blackjack player is happy with the hand they’ll stand. Once this has happened the dealer will reveal his/her hand and the player who has accumulated twenty one or the nearest to twenty one will win.

Doubling Down: A blackjack player might ask to double down which increases the bet by one hundred percent they have made. As soon as you have taken this action you can only be given one more card. The details of doubling down are often out lined by the blackjack table or betting house rules so prior to playing be sure you are familiar with the casino established rules. If you’re playing at a net casino this is usually quite simple.

Stay tuned for part two.