The Blackjack Dealer
Standing in the middle of the Blackjack Table is the person responsible for making the game go – the dealer.
The blackjack dealer’s responsibilities are many – they make change (give you chips for cash), they deal the cards, they offer you a “hit” (another card… not something more nefarious), they collect and pay out bets, and they keep the game running smoothly – hopefully doing all that with a bit of friendly banter.
Regardless of how it appears on the outside, the dealer in Blackjack is not really your opponent. They merely represent “the house” – in fact, trust us, the dealer WANTS to see you win (that way, you may tip better.) That said, as the house (or casino) representative, the dealer’s cards ARE the cards you are trying to beat. But again, you are not playing against the dealer – again, he or she would probably just as soon see you win. In fact, if asked, they will often be happy to explain the rules and basic strategy to you to better help you understand the game (although they won’t “let” you win, no matter how much you tip.)
While the dealer is going to be representing the house (and the notorious house edge), you may find yourself wondering if there is a chance to hold your own and win some money. Yes, it IS possible to get the upper hand against the dealer/house. It basically boils down to knowing how to play the game well, and knowing what the dealer has to do.
Blackjack is a game based on mathematical probability. These probabilities are based upon the cards that are left, and also the rules of the particular game. The Dealer/House usually HAS to follow certain rules in regards to hitting or standing pat. Some games make the dealer hit on a soft 17 or less. Others only require a hit on a hard 17 (to note – in general terms, soft hands use an ace as an 11, hard hands do not. A,6 is a soft 17; K,7,A is a hard 18.) So know what the dealer MUST do, and play accordingly (if a dealer shows 13, you can hope for a bust, for example.)
While Blackjack is competitive, remember that it is there primarily for fun and sport, and also remember that while the dealer represents the house, they are actually more on your side. So, keep a positive attitude, study the rules, and make some solid strategies.
Oh, and be nice to your dealer.
