Don’t get your wires crossed – signaling your intentions in Blackjack
As with any card game or in fact any game with rules, there are conventions to know, understand and follow. In the same way that you wouldn’t try and play baseball without knowing some rules first, there are specific hand gestures that accompany the game of blackjack that should be known and made clear at the table. Part of the reasons tables are recorded and the need to have clear hand signals so necessary is to show that there can be no miscommunication between the player and the dealer.
So, in order to get the best out of your Blackjack experience, the following is going to be important;
When you want to signal a ‘hit’, i.e. pick up another card; in the handheld version scrape the cards across the table, with face up touch the table with a finger.
In signaling a ‘split’, i.e. doubling the wager and having each card as the first card in a new hand; place additional chips next to the original bet and make the ‘two fingers’ sign.
To signal ‘stand’, i.e. not take any more cards; handheld, slide the cards under the bet and in face up, move your hand horizontally.
When signaling ‘Double Down’ i.e. increasing the wager to a maximum of double the original bet, taking one card more – a bet that was $25 initially would become $50; place extra chips next to original bet and make a one finger sign.
So that’s just a brief rundown, keep this list handy and see if it doesn’t come in useful the next time you play Blackjack.
