Blackjack is one of the most popular games in any casino and it is no surprise that a lot of people are inclined to learn how this game works. High odds, low house edge, are a few features that make Blackjack one of the best casino table games around.

The rules of blackjack are pretty simple and straightforward which makes it the perfect casino game for any newbie to learn. This is why we have written this guide to help beginners have a better understanding of the game.

The article will guide you through the basic rules and fundamental strategies of blackjack.

How to play Blackjack

Blackjack is a card game played in various land-based and mobile casinos. The idea of the game is straightforward. You along with other players will be competing against the dealer. Unlike other card games such as Poker, players do not compete against each other in a game of Blackjack.

Cards and their Meaning

First of all, we start with the main “gambling tool” used in Blackjack which is a French deck of cards. Since blackjack is a card game, you must be familiar with a card deck and how they apply in the game. A typical deck of cards contains 52 cards with 4 different symbols (commonly called “suits”). These suits are:

• Diamonds
• Spades
• Hearts
• Clubs

Just like every normal deck of cards, the symbols of the spades and clubs are black while the diamonds and hearts are colored red.

An ace is naturally referred to as the first or “1” of any suit.

The final 3 different suits are the (k) King, (Q) Queen, and (J) Jack. These cards are also known as face cards.

Calculating the Score

Another important thing you need to note is that the suits hardly influence the game. There are 4 suits of each different rank in the deck of cards. These suits have their limits and are not important in certain Blackjack variations.

You also need to know how the scores are given based on the ranks of cards in hand. You can calculate your scores with these blackjack rules:

• Face cards such as the King, queen, or jack are worth 10 points
• 1 or 11 points are given for the ace of any suit
• The point of any other card is based on their rank. For instance, the 2 of clubs is worth 2 points, the 3 of hearts is worth 3 points and so on.

Hold up your cards and sum up the points based on each rank. The player with a higher number of total cards is declared the winner. Remember, every player on the table is competing against the dealer and not against each other. The only way to win blackjack is to have a “higher hand” than the dealer.

Having a “higher hand” translates to a win. A player can win the whole game by holding a 2-card hand that adds up to 11 points, which makes “a blackjack”. A blackjack is a difficult move to land but every player hopes to land one at some point in a game. However, anyone who lands a blackjack automatically wins the game.

Another term you need to know is the “losing hand”. A losing hand is otherwise known as a “dead hand”, which occurs when a player’s entire card in hand makes up 22 points. Any player with a losing hand automatically loses the round. The total sum of cards in hand must not exceed 21 points irrespective of the dealer’s total score.

Basic Rules of Blackjack

Some rules govern the flow of the game. About 7 players including the dealer make up a blackjack table. You will notice certain words printed on the table. The usual signs include the following which every blackjack player must know:

• Dealer must hit on all 17s
• Blackjack pays 6 to 5
• Number of table bets (Minimum and maximum)
• Insurance pays x to y

You have the choice to perform one of the following moves while playing Blackjack

Hit

Hitting in a game of blackjack refers to a player taking an extra card to add to the ones in hand. However, it is a risky move. You must have in mind that the total sum of cards in mustn’t surpass 21poiints.

Split 

You can only make the move to split a hand if you have two cards of similar rank. The dealer would hand you an extra card on the 2 hand cards you possess. However, splitting would require you to make an extra bet without could make you win or lose all.

Other blackjack moves include standing, surrendering, and doubling down.

Conclusion

One of the main benefits of gambling is to have fun. There is no doubt Blackjack is an exciting game to play in any casino. You can also play blackjack online for real money on websites like Bovada.lv.

With the basic rules we have provided on how to play this popular table game, you can now also experience the excitement Blackjack games offer.

We all love receiving gifts from our loved ones to celebrate special events in our lives. For married couples having to celebrate their anniversary is one of the greatest gifts, and couples always wish to gift each other a memorable gift. This also includes anniversary gifts for parents.

Every single person should made to feel special and loved when celebrating love. Hence, when looking for unique gifts to celebrate anniversary, how about you try out custom anniversary gifts? Here are the top five best custom anniversary gift ideas one can look at.

1. Custom Photo Frame

There is no better custom gift than a photo of the loved birds in a customized frame. Yes, this is not new; however, it works wonders and is also very customizable depending on the occasion and the person to whom it is gifted.

A customized photo frame makes for a great gift as it is personalized and thoughtful for a gift of a loved one. Most online stores also have their photo frame app, which one can use to upload pictures from their cell phone or PC, making the customization process much more manageable.

2. A custom photo book

This anniversary gift idea has been around for a long time, and yet if chosen carefully, it makes for a great gift. One can create a customized photo book with pictures of them both through an online store like Blurb. Remember that one may lose their phone or accidentally delete all the pictures taken since they married or started dating. But with a photo book, the loved ones will never forget each other and cherish those moments by saving them on the book.

Depending on how many pages one wants, this will cost around $30-$50 for a hardcover photo book. However, it is worth it as this makes for one unique personalized anniversary gift idea which they can cherish for a long time. To spice up the book, add features on the cover such as color, patterns, or love quotes that your significant other loves.

3. Customized phone case

If one is always on their phone, then a customized phone case would be the perfect anniversary gift. You can find many online stores that will print any photo or design one wants onto a phone case which is unique and different from all the other cases out there.

The good thing about a phone’s customized cover is that it is made to one’s preference. So, whether one wishes to include a photo of them together, initials of when they met, or vows, custom companies make such. It is also a budget-friendly gift since it will cost anywhere from $15-$30.

4. Custom bobbleheads

This is a unique anniversary gift idea and is a great way to commemorate your special day. Many online stores such as Lucky Bobbleheads will create a customized bobblehead doll of the couple from a picture or, even better, from plastic molding. This will cost around $100-$200; however, it makes a unique anniversary gift idea.

Either you are looking for a wedding anniversary, a Christmas gift or any other holiday and events gift, a customized bobblehead is one of the best unique choice for you to consider.

5. Customized quilt

This is another excellent personalized anniversary gift idea which a couple could consider for an anniversary gift. To make a customized quilt, one will need to collect around 20-30 T-shirts of your loved one, with different motives or designs on them. One can also embroider the T-shirts with messages that both of them love or their anniversary date. Then cut them and sew them together to make a quilt, which can be used as a bedspread or even a throw. This is a great way to use all those old tees that one does not want to throw away and also makes for a unique and personalized anniversary gift idea.

Conclusion

These are 5 of the best and most unique personalized anniversary gift ideas which your loved one is sure to love. So, whether one is looking for a photo frame, photo book, customized phone case, or any of the other gifts mentioned above, make sure to personalize it to make it extra special for your loved one.

It is always good for one to have a budget in mind as this will help choose the right gift without financial constraints. Also, when buying the estate, consider what your loved one likes, will the gift fits their personality, and so on.