Goa is known for its legalized casinos and an amusement destination for tourists, the gaming industry has been picking up in the past few years. Ranging from offshore casinos to multiple onshore casinos having extravagant luxury hospitality services such as high-end rooms, ladies’ nights, celebrity guest entertainment, and much more. Popular games such as poker, blackjack, roulette being played world-wide are offered in every casino in Goa.
What is Blackjack and how to get started?
Blackjack is one of the most common games and you’ll find it played at any casino you enter to be in a casino in Goa or elsewhere. The game is normally dealt out of 6 or 8 deck cards. Most tables can accommodate anywhere between 5 to 12 spots for players! Here’s the catch, the goal isn’t to beat them but to beat the dealer.
Firstly, here’s how the cards are valued in this game, cards 2 to 10 are scored on their face value. Jack’s, Queen’s, and King’s are all scored 10. Ace’s can be either 1 or 11, and you can decide which value you watch to stick to or change throughout the round.
The goal in its simplest form is to beat the dealer, but shouldn’t total to higher than 21. To beat the dealer, each player attempts by getting a count as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21.
Terms used while playing Blackjack
Double or double down = After seeing their hand, a player can double by placing an additional bet equal to their original bet and subsequently drawing one and only one additional card. This move may only be used on the first two cards.
Bust = Having a total over 21
Natural = Gets dealt a blackjack
Push = The player and dealer have hands with the same total.
Hit = To ask for another card. If that extra card makes the total over 21, then the player busts.
Let’s get into how the game is dealt
The game starts with everyone besides the dealer placing a bet. The dealer then deals all the players one card face up to all the players including himself, everyone is dealt one more face-up card besides the dealer whose second card is dealt face down, then the players play the round and the dealer has gone around the table he reveals his card. if it’s 17 or more he stays put if it is less than 17 he will hit himself with another card. If the dealer busts, everyone still in the hand wins.
An example of a natural round.
If you’re dealt with a blackjack directly you’ll get paid 150%. So for eg. The bet was Rs.1000 you’ll get Rs. 1,500 plus your initial bet amount. I.e Rs. 2,500 in total.
Betting decisions
There are mainly only four betting decisions i.e hitting, standing, splitting, and doubling down.
Hitting
It basically means taking another card. This is mainly done to get a better hand and reach closer to 21.
Standing
If you think your hand is good enough to win and don’t want more cards, you can choose to stay put by waving across your cards, and then your hand is over.
Splitting
When you have two cards of equal value to each other, eg. Two 7’s or A’s . You’ll get dealt in two separate hands which increases your odds of winning.
Doubling Down
If you think you have an advantageous hand and can beat the dealer, you can place an equal bet to your original bet and double down on your winnings!
Pro Tip: There’s a chart that will tell you the proper playing decision for every hand of blackjack, it’s called basic strategy and was created by mathematicians and is the best way to play every possible hand. Which of course doesn’t guarantee you’re gonna win, it just gives you the best chance.
Hopefully, these tips will give you an edge and help you grow even further! If you’re just starting out, keep practicing and over time you will see a difference. Above all, have fun and enjoy the Goa casino games. Cheers!
