The Blackjack Table

In a casino the playing table will be a semi-oval shape. The dealer stands behind the flat portion and the players sit around the oval portion. The dealer’s back is to a central area between a number of tables called the "pit". This is where various casino management personnel are located including the "Pit Boss".

The number of player’s seats range from 5 to 7 and are defined by rectangles on the felt table.

There will be a sign on the table indicating the kind of Blackjack game being played, the table minimum bet, the table maximum bet, blackjack pays 3-2, insurance pays 2 to 1, dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s and other table rules. Different tables within a given pit often have different rules, but usually only the table minimum and maximum change. As the casino becomes busier, especially evenings and weekends, the table minimum may be increased.

When you place cash on the table, the dealer will exchange it for chips and drop the cash down into a slot. The dealer cannot take cash from your hand. He or she can only take it if you release it and drop it on the table.

On the table is a "shoe", a rectangular device made from wood or plastic, in which the cards are deposited and from which the cards are dealt. The shoe usually holds from one to six decks of cards.

A game will begin as soon as there is at least one player at the table. Additional players can join anytime and sit in any vacant spot. They will not start to participate until the current hand is finished and the player has a bet out.

The cards are dealt clockwise from the dealers left to the dealer's right.

Many players avoid being the last player to receive, as that player often gets blamed by the rest of the players at the table by taking a card too many or too few and causing the dealer to win. However, expert players or card counters often prefer the last position because they can see what other cards are being played. The first position is rushed a little more because they have to make the first decision whether to take another card or stay while the other players have a little more time on their hands to look at the dealers card, the other player's cards and their own hand.

Remember, you are trying to beat the dealer and not the other players, so the outcome of any other hands being played is irrelevant unless you are counting cards. Neither an inexperienced player at your table or a card counting player will affect your play. Although every card another player takes or does not take changes the card the dealer gets, the dealer still has the same statistical chance of the change being for the positive or as for the negative.

If you are ever not sure of the rules or what you should do, don't hesitate to ask the dealer. The dealer will often suggest a good move or clarify a rule for a novice.