While it is easy to learn how to play blackjack, mastering the skill set of a dealer is a bit more complicated, as you need to supervise the game and behave like a player at some point, as well.
However, one doesn’t necessarily need to be a professional croupier to be able to deal blackjack. Step by step, we will guide you towards becoming a blackjack dealer who can easily keep the game afloat and have fun while doing it.
Shuffle
Before you start dealing, you must take the time to shuffle the cards. If the game is played with multiple decks, mix them together and ensure that the cards are completely randomized by using various shuffling techniques. For instance, you can use riffle or overhand shuffles.
Once the cards are shuffled, you are prepared to deal. Those who have a shoe – place the cards inside the shoe face-down and make sure the stack is well aligned so that the cards will be easy to easy pull from the open slot.
Let the Players Place Their Bets
The players need to place their bets before the dealing starts. The dealer must stand by until all the players have placed their wagers in their preferred betting boxes. Those players who have not placed bets before the dealing started must sit the round out and wait for the next one. The dealer does not place any bets when players do.
Start Dealing the Players’ Cards
Now you can start by dealing 1 card face-up to all the players from left to right. Pull a single card from the top of the deck, or pull the closest one out from the shoe, and slide it across the table to the first player to your left, flipping it face-up as you put it in front of the player. Repeat until you’ve dealt one card to each of the players at the table.
Deal to Yourself and Finish the Dealing
When all the players are dealt their first cards, you must deal 1 card face-down in front of you, in the dealer’s box. Proceed to deal the second card to each of the players. Flip each card face-up and set it on top of the first card so the numbers in the corner are visible. Go around the table and then set 1 card face-up in front of you. This will be your upcard.
Insurance and Bet Collecting
Should your upcard be an Ace, ask players whether they would like insurance. If they do, take each player’s insurance wager worth half of their original bet and flip over your second card to see whether or not you have a blackjack hand. If you have a blackjack, collect the bets from those who didn’t buy insurance.
Address Other Actions Like Split, Double Down, Hit or Stand
Play continues as normal if your upcard is not an Ace. The players get to play their hands as they were dealt, from your left towards the right. The ones that stand, you skip.
The ones that want a hit need you to deal them another card. Should players keep drawing the cards and the go bust, you need to collect their bets and move one to the next person.
Those that want to double down also require an additional card, but they have to add an extra bet. In the case of doubling down, only one card is allowed. Players who are willing to split will receive two new cards from the dealer, one for each hand and both facing down.
Play Your Hand and Finish the Round
When the players have played their hands, it is the dealer’s turn. The dealer now turns the face-down card and confirms the hand value. Hands worth 16 or less demand another card, even another if the value reaches 17+ points. Should the dealer’s hand exceed 21, the remaining players win the round.
If it doesn’t bust, all remaining cards are compared and those who have a higher hand value win. Note: if a player has the same total as the croupier, then the hand is considered a “push” and this player’s bet remains on the table for him/her to decide what to do with it – replay or change it for the next round.
