"Blackjack is the only casino game
an amateur can learn to play and
at which he can definitely win."
The blackjack basic rules are pretty simple to understand. It only gets complicated
when you start using strategies.
A hand of blackjack begins with the dealer giving each player and him/herself two
cards. Typically, one of the dealer's cards is dealt face down, and one is face up.
Sometimes, both of the player's cards are dealt face up, and sometimes one of them is
face down, like the dealer's.
The objective is to get a score as close to 21 as possible without going over 21.
Therefore, you need to know how many points you get for each card.
Each number card 2-10 is counted at face value, regardless of suit. So a 4 of
clubs is 4 points and an 8 of hearts is 8 points. Each face card (Jack, Queen, King)
counts as 10 points. And an ace can be counted as 1 point or 11 points, whichever
makes for a better hand.
A blackjack, for which the game is named, occurs when you (or the dealer) are
dealt a 10 or a face card with an ace. These two cards add up to 21. And if you're
dealt a blackjack, then you automatically win. Unless the dealer also gets a blackjack,
in which case you tie, or "push".
If you're not fortunate enough to be dealt a blackjack, then you need to draw more
cards to get as close to 21 as you can without going over. If you draw cards and
your hand exceeds 21, then you lose, or "bust".
The dealer will offer more cards to each player in turn. When it's your turn, you
must decide if you want another card or not. If you decide to take another card, or "hit",
then the dealer will give you next card from the top of the deck. You can continue to
hit until you either bust or decide that you're too close to 21 to risk another card.
When you decide to stop, you "stay".
The dealer is the last to draw cards. When the dealer is finished, s/he turns over
the card that's face down (the hole card) and you compare your hand to the dealer's.
If you're closer to 21 than the dealer, then you win. If the dealer is closer, then you
lose. If you both have the same score, then you push and get to keep your bet, but you don't
win anything.
Once the cards are dealt, the players have different options than the dealer.
Take a look at the player rules and
dealer rules separately.
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