To play blackjack, the main goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer's hand without exceeding 21, which is called a "bust" and results in a loss
Basic Rules
- Each player is dealt two cards face up; the dealer gets two cards with one face up and one face down
- Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value.
- Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10.
- Aces can be worth 1 or 11, whichever benefits the hand more
- After receiving your initial two cards, you can:
- Hit : Take another card to increase your hand value, signaling by tapping the table
* **Stand** : Keep your current hand and end your turn, signaling by waving your hand horizontally
- You can continue to hit until you stand or bust (exceed 21)
Winning
- You win if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's without busting.
- If the dealer busts, you win.
- If your hand ties with the dealer, it is a "push," and your bet is returned
Special Options
- Blackjack : An Ace plus a 10-value card on the first two cards is a blackjack, usually paying 3:2 or 6:5 depending on the game
- Splitting Pairs : If your first two cards are the same value, you can split them into two separate hands, placing an additional bet equal to your original bet
- Doubling Down : After the initial deal, you can double your bet and receive exactly one more card
- Insurance : If the dealer's upcard is an Ace, you can place an insurance bet up to half your original bet, which pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack
- Surrender : Some games allow you to surrender after the first two cards, forfeiting half your bet and ending your hand immediately
Basic Strategy Tips
- Stand on 12-16 if the dealer shows 2-6; otherwise, hit
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Double down on 11 against dealer 2-10
- Hit or double down on Ace-6 depending on the dealer's card
These rules and strategies provide a foundation for playing blackjack effectively
