Online Blackjack players know how easy it is to access and play Blackjack games at internet-based gambling sites. Also, the gaming action takes place at a faster pace when you play Blackjack online, all thanks to the Random Number Generator (RNG) program that generates random outcomes in no time.
Playing in a live casino, however, tends to be a bit different. As land-based Blackjack games involve a real human dealer dealing with the cards, the gameplay action unfolds at a relatively slower pace. To deal with that and to lessen the number of mistakes made, casinos have devised Blackjack hand signals for the various betting options available. Keep reading to learn more about them!
Classic Blackjack hand signals
Classic Blackjack is one of the oldest and most popular blackjack variations. It is played using eight standard 52-card decks and pays at odds of 3:2 upon hitting a Blackjack. As for the Blackjack dealer rules for classic Blackjack, the game requires the dealer to hit on having a total of 16 or fewer. When holding a soft 17, the dealer must also hit.
After receiving the initial two cards in Classic Blackjack, To place a bet, players must select one of the following options: Double Down, Split, Surrender, Hit and Stand. Below we explain several different betting actions and the hand signals associated with them:
Hit
– To hit means to request an extra card from the dealer. The most common hand signal for a hit in Blackjack is tapping the table with one of your fingers. In some Blackjack books, you’ll find that another less-frequently used way to draw an additional card is to move your hand in a “come here” fashion.
Stand
– In Blackjack, standing means staying with the cards you have. The hand signal for this is to wave your hands above the cards you already have.
Double down
– When you have a winning hand and the dealer’s hand seems weak, doubling down is the way the go. Here, you receive an additional card by wagering an amount that’s double the size of your initial wager. As for the doubling down hand signal, you just need to place the required number of chips next to your original bet. Then you need to point towards them with one finger.
Splitting
– You can go with this betting option if your initial hand is a pair. As part of the signal for splitting, you first need to place additional chips next to your original wager. Then you must use your index and middle fingers to create the V sign.
Surrende
r – This betting option isn’t available in every version of Blackjack. And this may be the reason why it doesn’t have a universal hand signal. We suggest that you tell the dealer if this betting option is available at your preferred blackjack table.
Face-up Blackjack
Also referred to as Double Exposure Blackjack, this is another popular variation of Blackjack that can be found in all major online casinos. As you’d guess, the rules of Face Up Blackjack are slightly different from those of the standard Blackjack game. Here, the dealer receives two face-up cards as opposed to the single face-up card in classic Blackjack. Also, players have the option to double their wager after splitting.
Below we’ve listed the common hand signals for Face Up Blackjack:
Hit
– To hit in Face Up Blackjack, all you need to do is tap on the table. Another hand signal for hitting in this variation is to point at your cards.
Stand
– To stand, you need to wave your hands over your cards.
Double Down or Split
– Just like live Blackjack, you first need to place a bet that’s double the size of your initial wager. Then you point with a single finger if you want to double or hold up two fingers if you wish to proceed with the splitting option.
Summary
Featuring straightforward rules, Blackjack is one of the few casino games that’s quite easy to get started with. But to play blackjack effectively, you need to know several things about the game. A good example is the Blackjack hand signals.
While using hand signals may seem a bit difficult at the start, you’ll get comfortable with them after a decent amount of practice. In conclusion, just follow the casino’s blackjack etiquette and use hand signals properly.