| How to Deal Blackjack Posted: 02 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT Blackjack is a gambling game where you try to get a hand totaling closer to 21 than the dealer. If you go over 21, then you automatically lose, or bust. Playing as the dealer in blackjack is similar to how you would play regularly, but with a few added responsibilities, like handing out cards and chips. As long as you have a solid understanding of how to play, you can easily deal blackjack and have fun doing it! EditStarting a Hand of Blackjack - Shuffle and cut the cards. Take the deck of cards out from the box and thoroughly mix them together. Use multiple techniques, such as riffle or overhand shuffles, to ensure the cards are randomized. Then, ask another player to place a red cut card anywhere in the middle of the deck. Once they place it, split the deck so the red cut card is on the bottom of one of the stacks. Place the other stack on top to finish the shuffle.[1]
- The cut card is a solid red card placed in the deck that marks where the cards should be separated during the cut. It's not totally necessary, but it can be helpful when cutting the deck.
- If you're playing with a large group, you can combine up to 6 or 8 decks to change the odds of the game.
- Have the players place their bets for their hands. If you're on a blackjack table, then have the players set their bets in the small circle in front of them. Wait until each player has either placed their chips for the bet or until they decide to leave the table. Make sure not to deal any cards before they place their bets.[2]
- You do not place bets on your hand as a dealer.
- Deal 1 card face-up to all the players from left to right. Pull a single card from the top of the deck and slide it across the table to the first person to your left. Flip the card face-up while you're sliding it and set it in the box in front of the player. Keep giving 1 card to each player from left to right across the table.[3]
- Try to place the card in the box without having to readjust it. Practice sliding the cards across the table if you can.
- Don't let the players touch the cards, especially if you're dealing in a professional setting.
- Set 1 card face-down in front of you. Take the next card from the deck and slide it face-down in front of you. Make sure you keep the card pressed flat on the table so the players don't see what card's value is. Don't look at the card after you deal it.[4]
- Deal 1 more face-up card to the players and yourself. Start with the player on your left and deal them another card from the deck. Flip the card face-up and set it on top of the first card so you can still read the numbers in the corner. Keep dealing cards to the players around the table, and then set 1 card face-up in front of you. You can then start your round of blackjack.[5]
- If you deal yourself an ace, then you need to ask the players for "insurance."
EditDealing the Players' Cards - Deal 1 card if the player wants to hit. Ask the player directly to your left what they want to do with their hand. If they want to get closer to 21, they'll ask to hit. Take the top card from the deck and slide it over to their hand, and flip it over to set it on top. Total the card values and tell the player the new total. If the player wants to hit again, give them another card.[6]
- Take the player's cards and bets if they total more than 21. If the player hits and the cards total 22 or higher, then the player busts and loses the round. Collect that player's cards and set them aside as a discard pile. Then, take the busted player's chips they placed as a bet and put them along with the rest of the chips in the chip holder.[7]
- Players who bust automatically lose the round and lose their entire bet.
- You win the bet as the dealer, but the chips go to the bank rather than paid out to you.
- Move on to the next player when the player you're dealing to wants to stand. If the player is close to 21 and doesn't want to press their luck, they'll ask to stand. When a player stands, stop dealing them cards and move on to the next player. Keep working across the table from left to right, dealing cards to each player one at a time.[8]
- Players can hit as few or as many times as they want before they stand.
EditFinishing a Round - Flip over your face-down card and total your cards. Once all the players have taken their turn, then take your turn as the dealer. Reveal the card you dealt yourself at the beginning of the round and total the value of your cards.[9]
- If you had a 10 or face card and reveal an ace, then you got a blackjack and automatically win against players with a smaller hand.
- Take another card if the count is under 17. If the total of your cards is 16 or lower, then draw a card from the top of the deck and set it face-up next to the other cards in your hand. If the total is still under 17, then draw cards until your hand is over 17. If you draw a card that puts your total over 21, then you bust, and the other players who are still in win the hand.[10]
- If the total is over 17, then you cannot keep hitting to get closer to 21.
- Compare your hand to those of the players. Look at the total values of the players' hands to see if they are greater or lesser than your hand. If players have a hand closer to 21 than you without going over, then they win. If they have a worse hand than you, then they lose and you collect their bets.[11]
- If a player has the same total as you, then the hand is considered a "push."
- Pay out the players' bets. If players were closer to 21 than you, then they receive a 1:1 payout that's twice the amount they bet. If the player won with a blackjack, showing a 10 and an ace, then they are usually paid 3:2 on their bet, meaning they get 2.5 times the amount they bet. If you have a "push" where you have the same total as another player, neither you nor the player wins. The player then gets their bet back.[12]
- For example, if a player bets 10 chips and won, they would win 20 chips from the bank. If they won with a blackjack, then they would win 25 chips.
- Discard and shuffle all of the cards that were played. Collect all the cards from each of the players and set them face-down in your discard pile. If you're only playing with a single deck of cards, shuffle the discard pile with the rest of the deck after each hand.[13]
- If you're using multiple decks, then you don't need to shuffle until you're about halfway through the cards.
EditAddressing Special Hands - Ask the players if they want "insurance" if your face-up card is an ace. If you deal your hand and the face-up card is an ace, you need to ask the players for insurance. Let the players pay up to half of their initial bet as their insurance. Look at your face-down card and reveal it if it's a 10. If it is, take the initial bets from any players who lost against your hand. Then pay any players with insurance double the amount they paid.[14]
- For example, if a player paid 3 chips for insurance, then they would get 6 chips from the bank if you have a blackjack.
- If a player pays insurance, they won't lose as many chips if you have a blackjack right when you begin dealing.
- If you don't have a blackjack, then take the chips the players paid for insurance and put them in the bank.
- See if players want to "double down" to bet more chips. A player can choose to double their bet if they're confident with their hand. If they want to double down, wait for them to place their additional bet on the table before dealing them 1 more card. Lay the card horizontally across the top of their hand to show they cannot hit on that hand anymore.[15]
- If the player that doubled down wins against your hand, then they win double the amount of money. For example, if the player bet 5 chips initially and then won after doubling down, they would win 20 chips from the bank.
- Give players the option to "split" if they were dealt cards with the same value. When players are dealt the same card, they can choose to separate them into 2 hands. Move the top card on their hand over and ask them to place another bet equal to the first one on the table. Deal 1 more face-up card for each hand and play them from left to right.[16]
- If a player gets a blackjack on a split hand, they win 1:1 payout rather than 3:2.
- Only bet money if you're comfortable gambling it. Otherwise, use chips or other score trackers to keep track of your winnings.
EditThings You'll Need - Playing cards
- Poker chips
EditReferences
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| How to Strengthen Knees for Running Posted: 01 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT To strengthen your knees for running, you need to work on the muscles all around your knees, including your thighs, calves, and buttocks. Once those muscles are stronger, they give your knees a break! Try doing strength training for your knees 2-3 times a week. You can even do the exercises before or after a run to make it more convenient.[1] EditWorking on Basic Squats - Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Stand up straight with your arms at your sides. Position your toes so they point slightly to the outside instead of straight ahead.[2]
- If you need to, you can put your arms in front of you for balance.
- This exercise works your thigh and buttocks muscles.
- Bend your knees to lower yourself toward the ground. As you lower yourself, keep your chest up. Bring your hips back and put your weight on your heels as you bend down.[3]
- Keep your knees behind your toes. Try not to go past a right angle with your knees.[4]
- Keep your squat shallow if you have any knee problems, such as patella femoral syndrome.
- Push from your heels to return to the starting position. Lift yourself up with your knees and thighs to go back to standing. When you come up, contract your glute muscles.[5]
- Try 10 reps and 3 sets.
- To make this exercise harder, try jumping squats where you jump as you come up. You can also try a wider stance to make this more difficult. Don't try this if you have problems with your knees.
EditDoing Knee Bends - Turn your back to a wall. Stand about out from the wall with your back to it. Place your feet hip-width apart. Point your toes slightly out to the side instead of directly in front of you.[6]
- Some people turn these into wall sits by stepping out from the wall instead. That will make the exercise more difficult but will increase it's strengthening power. Don't try wall sits if you have knee pain or pre-existing problems.
- This exercise works your calf, thigh, and buttocks muscles.
- Press your back against the wall and slowly bend your knees. Slide your back down the wall so that your knees are bent. Make sure your knees line up vertically above your ankle so your shins are straight.[7]
- For a wall sit, aim for a 90-degree angle with your knees. If you have knee pain, then try to bend your knees at a slightly smaller angle. You may need to move your feet in or out slightly to achieve this. Hold it for 30-60 seconds.[8]
- Contract your knee and buttocks muscles as you lift back up. Push yourself back up to the starting position. As you do, make sure you tighten the muscles just above your knees and the ones in your back end.[9]
- Do 3 reps of this exercise.
EditPerforming Hamstring Bridges - Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your knees bent so they're directly over your ankles, and place your feet shoulder-width apart so they're flat on the floor. Place your hands on the ground next to you so your palms face down.[10]
- Use a yoga mat or another comfortable pad so you don't hurt your back while you lay on the floor.
- Press down on your heels to raise your hips off the ground. Push down against the floor with your heels so your lower body lifts off the floor. Tighten your hamstrings and buttocks so your torso forms a straight line toward your knees.[11]
- If you want to make your bridge more difficult, try only using 1 leg to lift your body instead.
- Hold the bridge for 20-40 seconds. Maintain the bridge position for at least 20 seconds to work your hamstrings. Keep your body straight and then slowly lower your hips back down to the floor.[12]
- Try to do 2-3 sets of 5-10 bridges.
EditWorking on Lunging Steps - Take a large step forward. Start with your legs hip-width apart. Step forward with one leg, going 2-3 times as far as you normally would when taking a step. You're going to need room to bring your back knee down to the ground as you step.[13]
- This exercise works the muscles all through your legs and buttocks.
- Take a shorter stride if you already have pain in your knees. Make sure you don't feel pain throughout your range of motion.
- Bring your back knee almost to the ground. As you step, aim for a 90-degree angle with your front knee. Take your back knee as close to the floor as you can. It should almost touch the floor.[14]
- If you can't go very low right now, just do what you can.
- Return to the starting position and do the same with the other leg. Bring your back leg up to meet your front leg. Switch legs, and repeat the lunge. You can do this standing in place, or you can move forward as you do your lunges.[15]
- Try 3 sets of 10 reps each.
EditDoing Calf Stretches - Place yourself about away from a wall. You can also stand in front of a piece of exercise equipment or anything else sturdy. Put your feet about shoulder-width apart.[16]
- This stretch helps loosen your calf muscles and take pressure off your knee.[17]
- Step back with one leg. Hold on to the wall or the furniture in front of you. Put one leg behind you about or so. Keep the knee straight in this leg with your heel against the floor.[18]
- Bend the other knee as you lean forward. Move your hips forward and slowly bend your knee. This will start to stretch the calf muscles on your back leg. Make sure to keep that knee straight.[19]
- Hold the position to stretch your calf muscle. When you start to feel the calf muscle stretch in the back leg, stay in that position for 30 seconds or so. As you're holding this position, press down into the heel in back.[20]
- Move to the other leg. Once you've stretched one leg, switch the positions of your legs. Bring your hips forward enough to stretch the calf muscle in the other leg and hold this position.[21]
- Try 2 sets of this stretch.
EditDoing Laterals - Begin with your feet hip-width apart. While standing up, spread your feet apart so they're directly under your hips. Shift the weight to your left foot so you can lunge out with your right foot.[22]
- Laterals are a type of lunge. Doing lunges this way will help work the muscles on the side of your knee.
- You can also lift your right foot off the ground and balance on one leg before lunging. That will increase the difficulty of the exercise.[23]
- Step out to the right as far as you can. You'll need to step and turn slightly to complete this move. As you do, dip your left knee to the ground and reach out to your right toes with your left hand. Keep your chest high. Put your weight on your heels.[24]
- Don't push your right knee out in front of your right toes.
- Return to the standing position. Press down into your right leg to go back to the original position. Complete the same exercise to the left by stepping out that direction.[25]
- Try doing 10 reps for 3 sets.
EditPerforming Straight Leg Raises - Sit in a chair or on a bench. Straighten up your back and place your feet flat on the floor in front of you. Put your knees at a 90-degree angle and place your hands on your hips.[26]
- This exercise works the muscles above your knee.
- To make this exercise more difficult, use an ankle weight.
- Lift one leg out in front of you. Bring it up so it's straight out in front of you. As you do, make sure to tighten the muscles above your knee so you work those muscles. Point your toes up and a little bit to the outside.[27]
- Lower and lift your leg while tensing the muscle. Bring your leg back down but don't let it touch the floor. Keep lifting it up and down, making sure to contract the muscles above your knee while you do.[28]
- Try 10 reps before moving to the other leg. Do 3 sets this way.
- For a different variation, lift your leg and hold it for 15 seconds. Do 3 reps of 15 seconds, making sure to keep your leg tense the whole time.
- If you are having pain from runner's knee, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or naproxen can help alleviate the pain or swelling.
- Apply the RICE method if you feel knee pain, which includes resting it, icing it for 20 minutes at a time, using compression bandages, and elevating it.[29]
- Try applying heat with gentle movements to help heal minor injuries.
EditReferences
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| How to Make Chocolate Bark Posted: 01 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT Chocolate bark is a popular treat around the holidays and is a perfect snack to bring to a party. Chocolate bark is incredibly easy to make and can be whipped up in less than 1 hour! Using ingredients that might already be in your home, including nuts, chocolate chips, and dried fruit, you can make a delicious treat for friends and family. EditIngredients - 3/4 cup (170 grams) of raw nuts or hard candy
- of chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) of dried fruit
EditGetting the Nuts and Chocolate Ready - Toast the nuts at for 5-10 minutes. Measure ¾ cup (170 grams) of raw nuts and place them on a rimmed baking sheet covered in aluminum foil. Toast the nuts for about 8 minutes, or until their edges turn golden. Sometimes the nuts will turn golden in as little as 6 minutes. Other times, they'll take closer to 10 minutes. Check on the nuts after 5 minutes to monitor their progress.[1]
- You can choose from almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, or pistachios. If you want to use more than 1 kind of nut, go right ahead!
- Chop the nuts into small pieces. Transfer the nuts from the oven to a cutting board once they've cooled. Scoop the nuts into a pile and roughly chop them with a large knife.[2]
- If you can't or don't want to use nuts, substitute a hard candy like Jolly Ranchers, peppermints, or M&Ms for your crunchy ingredient. Put these candies on a plate and stick them in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften them up. Then, transfer the candies to your cutting board and chop them up into tiny pieces.[3]
- Melt of chocolate chips in the microwave. Take the chocolate chips and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, put the bowl in the microwave and melt the chocolate in 30-second increments. Take the bowl out after each 30-second increment and stir the chocolate with a spatula.[4]
- When the chocolate is about 90% melted, it's done. Keep stirring at that point to completely dissolve the remaining pieces.
- You can use chocolate bars instead of chocolate chips if desired. Additionally, choose your favorite kind of chocolate, whether that's white, milk, dark, or a combination.
EditCombining Your Ingredients to Make Chocolate Bark - Spread the chocolate over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to transfer the melted chocolate from the bowl to the baking sheet. Spread the chocolate evenly over the middle of the baking sheet. Make the layer of chocolate about thick.[5]
- If you make the thickness about , the chocolate won't reach the edges of the baking sheet and will be easier to remove from the sheet when it's hardened.
- Sprinkle the chopped nuts and dried fruit over the chocolate. Take the nuts and spread them evenly over the layer of chocolate. Then, take ¼ cup (57 grams) of dried fruit and sprinkle it onto the chocolate. Use your palms to lightly press the nuts and fruit into the chocolate.[6]
- As an alternative, you can combine the nuts and chocolate before placing the 2 ingredients on the baking sheet. This way, the chocolate will harden around the nuts as opposed to below them.
- Let the chocolate cool at room temperature for 2-4 hours so it can harden. Once you've added the nuts and fruit, give the bark time to cool and harden. Check on the bark after 2 hours to see how it's doing. Lightly poke at it with a spatula to feel if it has hardened.[7]
- If you feel the nuts and fruit move within the chocolate, it hasn't completely hardened yet.
- Break the chocolate into pieces with your hands. Wash your hands and break up the bark into about 25 pieces. You don't need to break the bark into similar-shaped pieces. Instead, break the bark into triangles and squares that are about long.[8]
- Serve the bark immediately so everyone can eat it when it's fresh and ready.
- Store the bark at room temperature to save it for later. If you don't want to eat all of the bark in one sitting, store the remaining pieces in an air-tight container at room temperature. Chocolate bark will stay fresh for up to 1 week.[9]
- You can also keep the chocolate bark in the fridge, but only store it in the fridge for 3-4 days at most.
EditReferences
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