How to deal Blackjack

Dealing blackjack, whether in a casino or at the dining room table for a group of friends, requires the same thing. There’s nothing different, only the shuffle, which, if you can learn a really fancy shuffle, you’ll have a gift that will impress people for the rest of your life.

When it comes to dealing, you’ve got to decide how many decks you’re going to play with. You take all the decks, shuffle them, and cut the deck. You can either use a shoe (the acrylic case that holds the cards together and dispenses one at a time) or stack them all up. Remember, though, that eight decks mean you’ve got over 400 cards to try and stay upright without all falling onto the floor.

If you’re the dealer, you will start dealing cards with the person to your far left. You’ll deal one card face up to each player and finally to one in front of you, dealt face down. You’ll then give everyone their second card, still starting with the person on your left. This second card will be dealt face up to everyone, including you. If your “up” card shows a 10, face card, or ace, then you must check the bottom card to see if you’ve got 21. If you’ve got 21, the game is over. If not, keep a straight face and the game goes on. Each person now plays their own game. They choose to hit (take a card) or stay. You then reveal your hand and pay each person out, if necessary, or collect their bets.

When playing the game at home, most people don’t like to be the dealer. They like to play their own game. It’s another reason why so many people enjoy playing online blackjack.

There’s not a casino out there that will have you be the dealer. You’re the player every time. Depending on the online casino, though, you’ll be able to see who your dealer is. Some use a cartoon version of a person, others look like real people. Some use fancy shuffling techniques that you can see, other versions you can’t even see the dealer, the cards just magically appear in front of you.