Blackjack is one of the most played, and most popular, of all card games. While it can take many years for players to develop a winning strategy, the basic rules of the game are quite simple to understand.

Of course, no one can win a game without knowing the rules to play by, so it is important to understand the rules governing the dealer in the game of blackjack.

The blackjack dealer plays by very simple rules. If the dealer holds a hand totally 16 or less, he or she is required to take an additional card. If the dealer has a hand totaling 17 or higher, he or she must stand. Some casinos will allow a dealer to hit on a soft 17, and this does give the house a small additional advantage.

There is one sure way to win in blackjack, and that is by receiving a total of 21 with your first two cards. This combination requires that you receive a card with a value of 10, plus an Ace, which can be used as an 11. This combination of a 10 or other face card with an Ace is known as a blackjack, or sometimes as a natural.

If a player gets such a blackjack, he or she will win a bonus. In normal circumstances, all bets will be paid at even money, but when you get a blackjack you will get a three to two payout. For instance, if you bet, $10, you would receive $15 for the blackjack.

If you are playing handheld blackjack and you get a blackjack with your first two cards, you should immediately turn your cards over in order to get paid.

It is important to know, however that if the player gets a blackjack and the dealer does too, the hand is considered a push and no one will get paid. Players can protect themselves from this situation by taking insurance. When the dealer's up card is an Ace, he or she will ask the players if they want insurance. This insurance consist of a side bet in which you can wager half of the original bet. In order to place an insurance bet, the chips equal to half the original bet are placed on the table in front of the original bet.

When you have taken insurance and the dealer has a blackjack, the insurance bet is payed out at 2 to 1, and the player loses his or her original bet. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost but not the original bet. In general, insurance is not a good idea, unless you are counting cards and have a very good idea of what cards the dealer is holding.

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