Rules of Blackjack

Rules of Blackjack

The casino version of this game is generally played simultaneously by between one and six players against a dealer. Two cards are dealt, face up, to each player, and two more cards are dealt to the dealer, one face up and the other face down. Cards numbered 2 though 10 are given their numerical value, while jacks, queens, and kings are given a value of 10, and aces can hold a value of 1 or 11 depending on the preference of the player. The goal of the game is to attain cards with a total value, less than or equal to 21, greater than that attained by the dealer.

If, after receiving the two original cards, the player does not feel his/her total to be high enough, s/he may request a "hit", in other words an additional card. This may be repeated, as desired. On the other hand, if the player decides that his/her total is high enough, s/he may decide to "stay", or to take no further cards. If, however, the player's total exceeds 21, then s/he "busts", meaning that the player loses and his/her bet is lost. The same rules apply to the dealer.

The dealer, however, is restricted somewhat in action. If the dealer's cards total 17 or more, then s/he is forced by the rules to stay. If the dealer's cards total less than 17, then s/he must hit.