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How To Play Blackjack |
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The Blackjack Table
The table will normally have information about the blackjack game that you're playing written on it. This information includes what the house pays you for a blackjack (also called a natural), and what point total the dealer has to stop taking hits (additional cards) on. Our section on blackjack basic strategy goes into further detail about how these options affect the correct strategy decisions and which options are better for the player. Below the information printed on the blackjack table about the rules are between 5 and 7 circles. The number of circles corresponds to the number of players allowed in the game. The SeatsThe seat farthest to the left at the table (if you're on the players' side) is called third base. That's the last seat to receive a card before the dealer gets his card. There are different opinions about how much effect the player at third base has on the game; some players get mad because third base will make a decision that will prevent the dealer from going bust, and they'll lose as a result. So from a social perspective, third base might not be the best place to sit. But if you're counting cards, third place is a great place to sit, because you get to see everyone else's cards before making a decision. And of course, the more cards you see, the more info you have about what decision to make. (By the way, the seat at the far right is called first base, which makes sense if you think about it.) More Stuff on the Blackjack TableThere's a chip tray in front of the dealer. The chips are replaced as necessary, so even if you go on the winningest of winning streaks, you needn't worry about the dealer running out of chips. There's also a plastic sign on each table that indicates what the table limits are. Do everyone a favor and actually look at the limits before sitting down. It's frustrating for the other players if you try to buy into a $100 table when you meant to buy in at a $5 table, and it's embarrassing for you. Another item of interest on the blackjack table is the shoe. Not all tables have a shoe, since single deck blackjack games don't use one. But if there's a wooden or plastic box holding the cards, then it's a multiple deck game, which isn't as favorable for the player as a one or two deck game. (That wooden box holding the cards is the shoe.) Six or eight decks is pretty standard for a blackjack game these days, although the local casinos and some of the less ritzy places offer fewer decks in order to attract more business. It's one of the ways they're able to compete. But don't worry, blackjack basic strategy will work for you no matter how many decks are in use and no matter how often they shuffle the decks. More Blackjack Articles
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blackjack table is typically a semi-circle that seats between 5
and 7 players on one site, with the dealer on the other side.
These blackjack tables are normally arranged in a circle, with a
dealer behind each table in an area called the blackjack pit.
This area is easily observed by the pit boss.|
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