Blackjack: The Flow of the Game

What happens to a game of blackjack after all the bets are placed at the table? This article will provide you with a step by step analysis on the flow and process of a regular blackjack game, be it a game of Nevada Deal or a London Deal.

The process starts with the dealing of the cards. Once the bets have been placed, two cards are dealt to every player with the dealer starting on one side and moving around the table to the other side. The cards are dealt one at a time until all players have been dealt with their two cards starting cards.

For a game of Nevada Deal blackjack, both cards of all players are dealt face down. The last to be dealt with the two starting cards is the dealer - one card will be dealt face down while the other face up. For a game of London Deal blackjack, the cards of the players will all be dealt face up. Only one face up card will be dealt to the dealer. So in both cases, players will be able to see one card of the dealer.

Once the starting cards have been dealt to the players and the dealer, the players will then have the chance to either "stand" or request a "hit" from the dealer. Making a stand means that the players think that their hand can beat the dealer's hand, so they won't request another card (a hit) to up the value of their hand.

The player will be allowed to request a hit until that player "busts". This is the term given to a hand that exceeds a total value of 21. Each player in turn will be allowed to make their stand or to request a hit or hits from the dealer.

After all players are finished with their plays, it is time for them to know what the dealer's second card is. In a Nevada Deal blackjack game, the second card is revealed to the players. In a London Deal blackjack game, a second card is dealt face up to the dealer.

A total of 17 or higher for the dealer's hand means that the dealer must stay with that hand. Less than that and the dealer is required to hit. The dealer must abide by these rules for every hand.

A bust for the dealer means a win for every player who didn't bust. If however, that isn't the case, then a comparison between the hands of the dealer and all players who didn't bust is made.

Players win if their hand has a higher total than the dealer. If there is a tie (called a "push"), then the bet is handed back to the player.