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There are few games as synonymous with the casino experience as blackjack. Roulette is arguably the game’s only rival but, for many, blackjack is and always will be the quintessential casino game.
Blackjack’s simplicity is one of the biggest reasons behind its popularity. However, while the basic rules are incredibly straightforward, there are several more advanced ways of playing and lesser-known variations that can make this game even more exciting. One of these is the blackjack 5 card rule. Let’s find out more.
How to Play Blackjack
If we want to know how to use the 5 card rule, first we need to understand how to play blackjack in its most basic form.
Ultimately, the aim of the game in blackjack is to have a hand that totals 21 or gets as close to it as possible. If your hand goes over 21, you lose the round, also known as going bust. A round of blackjack begins with everyone at the table being dealt a card, including the dealer. Next, everyone is dealt a second card. The players’ cards are all face-up, while the dealer’s second card is face-down.
In the next phase of the game, each player must decide if they want to take another card to try to get closer to 21 or keep the cards they have. For example, a player with a 3 and a 4 might decide to take another card, known as ‘hitting’, as they have a good chance of getting closer to 21 without going over it. Conversely, a player with a 10 and a 9 should not take another card, known as ‘standing’, as there is a high probability they will go bust.
After this phase, the dealer turns over the face-down cards, and whoever has a total closest to 21 will win that round.
Much of blackjack is about luck, and a significant portion of players believe the same. However, there are ways of boosting your chances, and knowing some of the more advanced rules can certainly give you an advantage.
The 5 Card Rule
Now that we’ve covered the basic rules of the game, it’s time to learn more about the blackjack 5 card rule.
In the second phase of the game, when it comes time to hit or stand, players are free to hit multiple times, as long as they don’t go over 21. For example, a player could start with a low total and then hit several times, with each hit revealing another low value card, keeping them under the threshold of 21.
The 5 card rule is little known among blackjack players today, but it can make the game much more exciting and offers players another way of beating the dealer and the house. According to the rule, if a player draws five cards without going over 21, they automatically win that hand and are paid out at odds of 1:1.
This might seem like an easy way to win, but if you stop and think about it you realize how difficult it really is. Going bust can happen after drawing one or two cards, so drawing five without exceeding 21 is an exceptional feat.
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all establishments use the 5 card rules in their blackjack games. You should always check ahead of time to save yourself the disappointment of drawing 5 cards and not being rewarded with an automatic win.
Our Tips for Succeeding at the Blackjack Table
You need a bit of luck to win at blackjack, but you also need a good understanding of the game and excellent judgment skills. It’s all about calculating probability, you need to know when to hit and when to stand.
When playing blackjack, you shouldn’t only be focusing on your own cards. You need to look at the dealer’s card too, as this can determine what your next move should be. For example, if your hand totals between 12 and 16, and the dealer’s card is between 2 and 6, you should stand.
Reading blackjack strategy charts can be an effective way of improving your game. These give you a clear idea of what move you should make based on the combination of your hand and the dealer’s card, giving you the best chance of making a win.
Conclusion
Not many people know about the 5 card rule in blackjack. However, it’s an excellent way of adding a bit of extra excitement to the game and can be a fun way of shaking things up when at the blackjack table.
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