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[ Sheepshead Rules and
Strategy]
Making
the transition to Online Blackjack
If you’re looking for an online casino game to try, blackjack
may be the ideal choice. Unlike card games like Sheepshead or Doppelkopf,
online blackjack can be found at virtually any internet gambling
site and the game is relatively easy to learn and play.
There are no complicated card ranking like in Sheepshead, and no
playing against other players like in poker. It’s just you
betting that you can get closer to 21 than the dealer can, without
going over.
Online
Blackjack Options
When you play
blackjack online, once you have
put up your bet and received your two cards, you can hit, stand and
sometimes double or split. Hitting means you do not like your total and
want to add another card (remember that cards are face value, face
cards are 10 and aces are one or 11). You can hit until you are
satisfied or until you go over 21, in which case you bust and lose
automatically.
When you are happy with your point total, you can stand, meaning take
no more cards. You may choose to double on your first two cards,
meaning you double your bet and receive one and only one additional
card. This is good to do if the dealer has a bust card like 4, 5 or 6
and you cannot break, either because you have a total less than 12 or
because you have a “soft” hand, meaning one
containing an ace.
It is also usually a good play when you have 11, since ten point cards
have the most frequency in the deck. Finally, if your cards have the
same value, you can put up an additional bet and split them, using each
one as the first card in a new two card hand.
Winning
an Online Blackjack Hand
Once you are done acting on your hand, it’s the
dealer’s turn. If he has 16 or less he must hit, 17 or better
and he must stand. If he busts or stands with a lower total than you,
the player, you win. If not, or if you have already busted, you lose.
Blackjack
If you are dealt 21 on your first two cards, you have blackjack and win
3-to-2 on your money. If the dealer also has 21 on two cards
(“blackjack”), it is a push and no one wins.
If the dealer has an ace showing, you will have the option to buy
insurance. This requires an additional half bet. If the dealer does
have blackjack, you break even on a regular bet and win even money on a
blackjack. If he does not, you lose the half bet and play the hand
normally.
If you have blackjack and take insurance, you get even money either
way. However, insurance is a poor odds bet and should not be taken.
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