A basic understanding of the rules will help you play Blackjack with even more skill, and enjoy the game more fully. (See also How to Play.)
The Goal: Assemble a hand with a total higher than that of the dealer’s without going over 21.
Card Values: Number cards have their shown numerical value. Face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are 10 points. Aces can be counted as 1 or 11 points.
Players’ Game: The dealer deals two cards face up to each player and, to himself, one card face down (the “Hole” card) and one face up. Players play out their hands first, deciding to receive another card (“Hit”) or stay with those they already have (“Stand” or “Stay”). Players receiving another card that pushes a hand’s total over “21” go “Bust,” losing their bet.
Dealer’s Rules: After all players have concluded their hands, the dealer reveals the Hole card. If the hand’s total is under 17, he must continue taking cards until the hand totals 17 or higher (some games require the dealer to stand with an Ace and a 6, referred to as a “Soft 17,” while others allow that hand to be counted as “7”).
Going Bust: When a card makes a hand’s value higher than 21, the player or dealer holding it loses.
Blackjack: A player dealt an Ace and a 10 card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) when the dealer does not also have two cards totaling 21 immediately wins 1.5 times the bet. A dealer dealt a two-card Blackjack, with the Ace in the Hole, beats any player.
Split: A player dealt two cards of equal value can “Split” them into two separate hands. Another bet equivalent to the player’s original must cover the second hand. Split Aces can each take only one more card.
Double: While still holding just two cards, a player may double the bet, in which case only one more card may be drawn.
Insurance: When the dealer shows an Ace, a player is offered “Insurance” for 50 percent of the original bet. Insurance protects the bet if the dealer’s Hole card has a value of 10, producing Blackjack.
Surrender: Some games allow a player not to play the hand that has been dealt, forfeiting 50 percent of the bet.
