What happens when two players have 21?
Blackjack is a hugely popular casino game. This is down to the fact that while chance may play a role, there is so much more to it than this. Blackjack is so exciting as it also involves probability, strategy and skill. Another appeal of the game is its simplicity, however, there are certain situations when less experienced players aren’t sure what should happen. In this article we´ll take a closer look at what i means to get a 21 in blackjack.
There are times when the dealer and a player will be dealt a hand that leads to an instant win. When this is the case, what happens? Does the player lose their stake or will they still win the hand? As you read on, we’re going to explore natural blackjack and what this means for the dealer and any players who are dealt this.
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Two or more players getting 21 in blackjack
As we’ve discussed previously, blackjack doesn’t involve players going against other players. Regardless of how many are at the tables each player is only up against the dealer. Other players, and their actions, can be ignored as everyone focuses 100% on their own game.
In games such as poker, there is a communal pot and each player is hoping to win this. That’s just not the case in blackjack. There isn’t just one prize pot to focus on here as it’s all about player vs dealer. No matter how many players are dealt a natural blackjack, the dealer will pay them all.
21 in blackjack – What if the dealer gets 21 as well?
There are terms known as blackjack push or blackjack tie. These terms are used when the dealer and a player have similar value hands. When this happens, the hand is known as push and the round is classed as void. This leads to the payer having their wager returned.
In most games of blackjack, dealers will stand when they have 17 or more. This means that they won’t hit on 17, 18, 19, 20 or, of course, 21. If the dealer’s total is below 17, most casino blackjack rules will require them to hit and take an additional card. If the total then goes above 21 then the dealer is bust and out of the game.
When the results are tied then a player will not win or lose. All that happens is that they have their wager returned. You may wonder how likely this is to happen. Well, if you’re playing at an average 6-deck table the odds of this happening are around 1 in 461. For the average player, the chances of a push or a tie are around the 8% mark.
Can you still make money from a tie?
While we have often said that side bets aren’t always a great option, because of the house edge, there are some instances when they can add value. If you find yourself in a tie it could well be the case that taking a side bet in the first instance would lead to you still pocketing a win. Of course, before taking these side bets, you need to be clear on how likely a tie is in the first place (not very!).
So, the side bets that can see you making money even from a tie are:
Blackjack insurance side bet
If a dealer receives an ace as their first card, players are offered the chance to take the insurance side bet. This is a side bet, separate from the main wager, that pays out if the dealer goes on to have a natural blackjack. This side bet pays out at a rate of 2:! but the wager you can place is limited to half of your initial one. This means that if you take the side bet and win, you lose your initial wager but you then collect double the amount that you placed on the dealer having a blackjack. Generally, this means that the player will end up breaking even rather than being in profit.
Blackjack tie side bet
There are a host of other side bets that can be taken and what’s on offer will depend upon the online casino that you’re playing at. One of the most popular side bets is perfect pairs and this is based on your two initial cards being pairs and is completely separate from your main wager. While you could tie with the dealer when it comes to the main bet, you could still win with perfect pairs.
The biggest protection from a tie is the tie side bet. This is where you place a wager on the outcome being that you and the dealer will have the same hand. Although it will vary from casino to casino, this side bet tends to payout around 8:1 or 9:1.
Just remember that in all cases, side bets come with the highest house edges that there are. These should only be used if you’re a casual player and should always be avoided if your aim is to increase your bankroll.
What even is a natural blackjack?
We’ve referred to a natural blackjack more than once but we’ve not yet said what this actually is. With blackjack, the aim is to have a hand that is worth closer to 21 than that of the dealer. This needs to be achieved without exceeding that number. The cards used have face value except for picture cards which count as 10. When it comes to an ace, this can be used as an 11 or one.
If the first two cards dealt include an ace and a card that’s worth 10, this is called a natural blackjack. It automatically gives the player a total of 21.
Final thoughts on 21 in blackjack
So, if you and another player are fortunate enough to be dealt with 21, the good news is that you don’t need to worry. Your game against the dealer is separate from that of any other player. As you’re only ever trying to beat the dealer, and as the aim is the same for every player, blackjack is unique in that there can be more than one victor.
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