Casino Blackjack Trivia Quiz

Answer: Aces and Eights

You should always split eights because 16 (your hand total) is the worst number to be dealt in blackjack. By splitting them, you are taking a chance to make two better hands. If you get dealt two Kings after splitting your eights, you now have two hands of 18, rather than one terrible hand of 16!

Answer: One

You can only "hit" each Ace once, you have to hope you will get a 10 or a face card on each hit. If you do, you will have 2 hands of 21!

Answer: Other players smacked their lips and rolled their eyes

Basic strategy says when a dealer is showing a 6 or less, you should not take a hit on 13. The reason is because it is likely that the dealer will have to take the hit instead, and the chances of him "busting out" are higher. Sometimes when you make the wrong decision, the whole table gets mad at you because they feel it's your fault they lost.

Answer: False

The dealer will only ask you if you want even money, or ask the rest of the table if they want to buy insurance when he/she has an Ace showing.

If you say yes to "even money", you will only be paid the same amount that you bet (blackjacks pay more than your bet). If you say no, and the dealer turns over his cards and has a blackjack, you don't get anything. It's called a "push" which means you tied with the dealer.

If he/she turns over their cards and do not have a blackjack, you will get paid the whole amount for the blackjack.

Insurance is a bet a player can place when the dealer has an Ace showing. If the dealer turns over a black jack, you win the insurance bet, but lose your original bet. If the dealer does not turn over a black jack, you lose your insurance bet, however, you may still win your original bet. Most players who follow basic strategy choose not to place an insurance bet because the odds aren't good.

Answer: Double Down

Always double down when you are dealt an eleven, and hope that the dealer hits you with a ten or a face card. If he/she does, you will have 21, AND you win double!

The good thing about doubling down on eleven is you can't bust, no matter what your hit card is.

The bad thing about doubling down on eleven is your hit card might not be a ten or a face card. Whatever your hit card is, you are stuck with it because you can only take 1 hit when doubling down.

Answer: No

Some people do, but it is a BAD idea. If you are dealt two tens, your hand totals 20! Why split them and possibly end up with 2 hands of 16!

Answer: Spread 2 fingers in front of your cards

Never, ever touch your bet once it's in the betting circle, and never touch your cards. The casino will think you are cheating. Once your bet is placed and the cards are dealt, the dealer is the only person allowed to touch your bet and your cards.

Answer: Yes

That is a form of tipping the dealer. Some players prefer to just slide the dealer a chip to tip him/her, and players such as myself prefer to place a bet for the dealer.

Players place their own bets in the circle, and they can place a bet on the edge of the circle for the dealer. If the player wins, the dealer wins. If the player loses, so does the dealer.

Answer: No

It is not illegal, however casinos don't like it, and if they suspect you are counting cards they will ask you to leave their casino.

Answer: tap their hand on the table towards your cards

When you are dealt an Ace, you want your second card to be a ten or a face card so you can get a blackjack. Tapping your hand on the table is the hand gesture for "good luck".

Remember, you are not playing against other players. You are only playing against the dealer, therefore it is common for players to wish each other the best of luck.