How to Play Casino Blackjack

The object of the game, which is played with one or more 52-card decks, by one or more players, versus a dealer, is to draw cards that total exactly 21, or come as close to this count as possible without going over it. Exceeding the critical count is said to be breaking 21, or busting. This means that if a player goes over 21, he loses immediately. Cards have point values as follows: an ace counts as either eleven or one, at the option of the player; all face cards have a value of 10; all other cards are counted according to their numerical value.

The players are dealt one card face-down and, in most versions of the game, the dealer deals himself a single card, face-down, which is said to be his hole-card. The dealer then deals the players and himself a second card face-up. The players total their hands, evaluate their potential to win the wager, and consider the playing strategies available to them. They then decide if they wish to draw one or more additional cards to boost their total up to, or near the magic number of 21, or double down, split pairs, surrender or buy insurance. Most experienced players make these critical decisions based on the rank of the dealer's up-card. In fact, the successful player will be conscious of the fact that the most important card on the table is the dealer's up-card. This is primarily because the player can see it at all times. The dealer's up-card, therefore, will dictate how every hand should be played.

Each player, in turn, then plays against the dealer. The player may, or may not draw one or more additional cards. In the most extreme case, though it is rare, a player can, technically speaking, draw up to nine more cards without busting, i.e., breaking 21. The dealer will deal extra cards to the player as long as the player indicates he wishes to draw. If the player busts, he must declare that he has done so, and he loses. Conversely, when the player indicates he will stand on his hand, the dealer may deal himself additional cards. Based on the strict rules of the game he will stand, or draw on this hand. When he has completed drawing, the dealer will expose his complete hand in a kind of showdown between the two hands, and declare the winner. If the player is the winner, he is rewarded in an amount equal to his wager, or wagers made on his hand.

Blackjack Rules

Blackjack is dealt with 5 decks of cards.

Cards are re-shuffled after each hand.

Dealer Hits any total 16 or less.

Dealer must hit soft 17.

Card Values

Suits of the cards have no meaning in the game.

Cards 2 through 10 are the face value.

Jacks, Queens and Kings are all valued at 10.

Aces can count as either 1 or 11 whichever is more advantageous.

If the Player has a hand that consists of a 6 and an Ace, it may either be considered a 17 or drop its value to 7. The Ace may count as 1 or 11. You may change the value of the Ace as the hand progresses.

Player Actions/Wagers and Button Descriptions

Bet - Once you place a bet, the Player must click on the chip value that they wish to wager.

Deal - Press Deal to begin the game once a wager has been placed. The Player gets two cards face up and the Dealer gets two cards.

Hit - Player desires another card to be dealt. The Player may take a hit at any time before standing.

Stand - Player desires to keep hand dealt. The game will automatically stand when the Player has 21 or after doubling down.

Split - If the Player's first two cards are of the same value (i.e. 7, 7, or Q, K) they may be split into 2 separate hands by placing a second wager of equal value. The Player may have up to 3 hands at one time. The Player then proceeds to draw cards as usual, with these exceptions: If a Player splits two aces, only one additional card is dealt for each hand. A hand totaling 21 after splitting aces is considered 21, not Blackjack.

Double Down - When a Player has been dealt the first two cards and believes that the third card will give them a position to beat the Dealer's hand, they can "double down." The wager is doubled, and one additional card is dealt to the Player. The hand is automatically stood, and the Dealer then completes its hand comparing it to the Players' total.

Blackjack - Is achieved when first two cards total 21. Blackjack beats a score of 21 consisting of 3 or more cards.

Bust - Is achieved when total value of cards for either the Dealer or the Player exceeds 21. If the Player busts the wager is lost, if the Dealer busts the Player automatically wins the wager.

Push - Is achieved when the value of the Dealer's cards (from 17 to 21) and the Player's cards are equal resulting in neither winning. It also results in the return of the Player's wager.

Insurance - Gives you a chance to protect yourself when you believe the Dealer might have Blackjack.