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We resume our article on the abc’s of Blackjack. In Part One we covered the approach of twenty-one, hitting, standing and how to double down. In part two we’ll talk about splitting, surrendering and insurance.

Split: if a gambler is handed two cards of the same amount (two 8’s as an example) she may split them to generate two different hands. If you choose to divide your hand you’ll have to place a new bet equivalent to the original bet.

Surrender: Some betting houses will allow individuals to surrender the hand they have been dealt along with half of the original wager they made before the croupier checks his hand. Keep in mind it is vital to inquire with the dealer for clarification on the table game rules or check the rules area on the web betting house you’re betting on.

Insurance: When the croupiers face up card is an Ace players have the chance to take out insurance. You will place half of the original bet before the dealer checks his cards; if the dealer has twenty-one you’ll come away with a win on the insurance bet but still lose the initial bet. Sadly if the croupier doesn’t have chemin de fer the gambler loses the insurance. It is a risk but one that is absolutely worth it, if used as part of a clever strategy.

As soon as a player has stood or gone bust by going over twenty one the dealer will show their hand and will go on to deal himself cards until one of the following things has happened: if he has reached 17, a dealer will not normally take another card due to the chance of busting, if he has drawn 21 or if they have busted.