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. If the dealer and the player(s) tie, then it is declared a "push" and all players receive their money back.

On the topic of betting, all bets are placed before the cards are dealt based on the player's confidence in winning the particular hand. Generally, there is some house imposed limit on the size of bets, but this is not important for the time being. Aside from the standard, pre-deal bet, there are four other betting strategies that should be mentioned: split, double-down, surrender, and insurance.

A split can be carried out when a player is dealt two matching cards at the beginning of a round.