Online Blackjack Game

Blackjack Dealer Hole-Card Check

A blackjack dealer has no control in playing their hand because they are only following house or table rules. And there are situations when the dealer must perform a hole-card check before players can hit, stand, double, or split their hands.

First, each player is given one up-card (that's a card facing up) then the dealer gets a hole-card (that's a card facing down). Then everyone, including the blackjack dealer, receives an up-card to complete their initial two-card hands.

When the dealer's up card is anything other an ace or a ten-valued card, players will proceed to make normal blackjack moves - hit, stand, double, or split. Otherwise, the blackjack dealer will go through preliminary steps before players can act on their hands. This includes the hole-card check.

If the blackjack dealer's up-card is an ace card, you will be questioned if you would like insurance. After the players who opted to insure have placed their bets, the blackjack dealer will make a hole-card check.

If the dealer has a natural or blackjack, players who were insured are accordingly paid and everyone else (provided they don't have a natural too) automatically loses. But if the dealer doesn't have a natural, players who insured their bets lose and everyone else will continue on to making moves on their hands.

The other situation when the blackjack dealer makes a hole-card check is when their up-card has a value of ten. These include any of the face cards and, of course, the ten-card. When dealers draw a ten-valued card, they'll check their hole-card to see if they have a natural.

If they do have a natural, everyone automatically loses except for those who also have a natural without anyone making a move on their hand. But if, after the hole-card check, the dealer sees that it doesn't make a natural then the normal procedure of players making their moves commences.

The two instances when the blackjack dealer makes a hole-card check are when their up-card's an ace and when their up-card is valued at ten. The purpose of the hole-card check is to see if they have a natural. When the dealer's up-card's an ace, they'll offer insurance before they take a look at their hole-card. And when their up-card's a ten or any face card, they'll check their hole-cards immediately to see whether or not players are allowed to make moves on their hands or not.