A Beginner’s Guide to Blackjack Hand Signals

The simplest method to tell the dealer what you want in a blackjack game is to use hand signals. Beneficial are these non-verbal cues while playing at tables on busy, noisy casino floors. In this tutorial, we’ll go through the ins and outs of blackjack hand signals. 

How Do Blackjack Hand Signals Work?

To start things off, how do you make your hand signal in blackjack? A player may communicate with the dealer using simple hand gestures called signals. Thanks to these signals, it is not even necessary for players and dealers to have the same language to play.

Standard Signals for the Blackjack Hand

Whether to hit or stand is the most typical choice a blackjack player must make. Questions on whether to split a pair, surrender, or double down will also be presented to you, depending on your hand.

 

In a single session, you may be presented with all of these choices more than once. Blackjack players came up with hand signals for all these acts to make things simpler and speed up the game.

Blackjack Signals and When to Use Them

Half the struggle is knowing when to employ a hand signal in blackjack. The choice could not be up to you in the end, depending on your approach. You need to practice using these signals before you utilize them in real-money blackjack games.

 

Be careful to employ your hand signals when the situation calls for them after you’ve mastered blackjack. If you use your hand signals incorrectly, it might throw off the game and make you lose money. For example, you can end up losing the hand if you signaled a hit when you intended to stand.

1. Hit

In blackjack, the simplest play is a hit. A hit request from the dealer will result in the addition of one more card to your hand. A simple hand gesture may be used to indicate to the dealer that you would like another card rather than repeatedly repeating “hit” during the round.

 

You may request a hit using one of two hand signs. One option is to just point to yourself and wave your hand. This will signal to the dealer that you would want an additional card.

 

Another option is to tap your finger on the table nearby. Asking for a hit from the deck is as simple as tapping the table once or twice. Neither of these signals is hard to execute by mistake, so be careful not to unintentionally indicate a hit.

 

1. Stand

Yet another fundamental blackjack move is standing. When you stand, it signifies that you do not want to draw any further cards for that round. Standing is the only move to make if you have a strong enough hand to defeat the dealer.

 

In blackjack, the standing signal is simple to execute. Flatten your hand and place it over your cards to begin. Then, to indicate to the dealer that you do not want to have any further cards added to your hand for that round, you just wave your hand over your cards.

1. Double Down

One of the most famous blackjack moves is double down. This play instantly doubles your bet on that hand. This also signifies that you will be dealt an additional card for that round, but just one.

 

In blackjack, there are two steps to signaling double down with your hand. To begin, put a stack of chips on the table next to your present stake that is equal to your initial ante wager. The next step is to place your index finger on the tabletop underneath your deck of cards and tap or point once.

1. Split Pair

A player may play two hands against the dealer in a single game of blackjack by splitting. However, you must wager on each hand separately, so ensure that your bankroll can withstand the additional expenditures. Furthermore, you may still defeat the dealer with a winning hand since each hand is considered separately.

 

Verifying that you own a pair is the first step in splitting a hand. Then, alongside your first stake, you must set another ante wager. As a last step, show the dealer two fingers to divide your hand.

Hand Signals for Facedown Blackjack

A common variant of blackjack played in brick-and-mortar casinos is facedown blackjack. Unlike the original, this variant deals you two cards face down. In this kind of blackjack, you are not required to show your cards.

 

Various blackjack hand gestures are also used in this variant.

 

• Hit. Gather your cards in toward you to scrape the table.
• Stand. To stand, tuck your cards under your chips without transferring them.
• Double down. Put down an additional stack of chips beside your first wager and raise a middle finger to “double down.”
• Split pair. Hold up two fingers and place a second stack of chips next to your first bet to split the pair.

Hand Signals That Most People Use

Uncommon blackjack hand signs will appear with enough time spent playing at land-based casinos. Use caution while using these signals; novice dealers may not be well-versed in them.

 

1. Surrender. You can’t just give up in every blackjack game. You may use your finger to create an imaginary line behind your bet amount if the casino allows surrendering in blackjack.
2. Bust. When your hand totals more than 21, you’ve “busted” from the blackjack game and lost. Just as when you stand up, the dealer can detect when you’ve busted by waving your palm down over your cards.
3. Insurance. Only when the dealer shows an ace may you place the insurance side bet. If you wish to place a bet, just bring your index finger in from the outside of the betting circle and show it to the dealer.

 

Even less often than the ones listed above are other unusual hand signals in blackjack. For the trader to understand your signal, it must not be too unusual. After a while, you can just tell the dealer what to do with your voice.

Tips to Improve Your Blackjack Hand Signals

Pros in the game of blackjack know how to communicate with the dealer silently by using signals. If you want to get better at using hand signals in blackjack, here are three things to keep in mind:

 

• Keep an Eye on Pro Players

Learning from the moves of seasoned players is a great strategy for improving your own card game. You may learn a lot about the hand signals used by professional players by watching video recordings of them. While you’re in the casino, you may also watch other players.

 

You may meet some nice people while playing blackjack, and some of them may even be happy to teach you the ins and outs of the game. Any issues you may have about hand signals may also be addressed by the dealer.

 

• Warm Up at Home

Practicing hand signals at home may provide significant benefits, even if it may seem strange to do it outside a game. One of the finest methods to become accustomed to the motions of the blackjack signals is to practice them at home.

 

Learning the most popular hand signals used in blackjack games will not take up much of your time. However, if you can spare a few minutes here and there, you will soon be able to grasp the aforementioned hand gestures.

Practice Blackjack Games Online

Just knowing the basic hand signs for blackjack isn’t enough to win. You must also be aware of when to employ each signal to the cards at your disposal. Just playing blackjack more often can help you become a pro.

 

Fortunately, you can play blackjack online at Captain Jack Casino sister sites and similar sites. Playing this game may help you become a better blackjack player without spending a dime. Your ability to anticipate the game’s next move and respond with the appropriate hand signal will increase in direct proportion to your skill level.

Are You Familiar with Blackjack Hand Signals?

Blackjack ranks high among the most played card games in today’s casinos. When playing this table game strategically, even novices may win. Mastering the blackjack hand signals might help you step up your game.