It's a very simple game. You start with 2 cards. Only the rank matters, suits are not a part of the game. You try to get as close to 21 as you can (without going over), by adding the ranks of your cards. Face cards count as 10, Aces count as either 11 or 1, whichever favors the player most.
The game is played against the dealer, so if you're closer to 21 than the dealer is, you win. If he's closer, you lose. If either one of you go over 21, that person loses automatically. Ties result in a "push" where the bets are returned to the player and no one wins.
GamePlay
First, the player makes a bet. Tables usually have minimum and maximum betting limits.
The player receives two cards, and the dealer receives two cards. One of the dealer's cards is face up. Both of the player's cards are face up.
If the player's first two cards total 21, they have a Blackjack, and automatically win. If they don't have a blackjack, play begins with the player choosing from the following actions:
Hit - which means the player wants to add a card to their hand. A player can hit repeatedly, until they like their card total, or go over 21.
Stand - which means you feel you are close enough to 21 and don't want to add any cards to your hand.
The dealer has a set of rules they must follow for hitting or standing. They must hit at totals of 16 or less, and stand at a total of 17 or more.
There are four other actions in the game of Blackjack, but they are not always available. Those actions are:
1. Double Down - when you double down, you do two things. First, you double the size of the bet you made on the hand. Secondly, you receive one, and only one more card. This is an action often chosen when a player has an 11 and the dealer shows a poor card like a five or six.
Some rule variations put a limit on when you can double down, such as players can only double on a 10 or 11. These slight variations in the doubling rules vary from casino to casino.
2. Splitting - can only happen when you receive two cards of the same rank. For instance, you receive two 8's. You can choose to "split" them, which means you would put them into separate hands.
You need to make a second bet equal to whatever you bet before you were dealt your cards to cover the play of your second hand. You then receive a second card on top of each of your eights. Now, you've successfully split your pair of 8's into two separate hands.
You go on to play one hand and then the other.
Some casinos make rules about how you can play your split hands. For instance, if you were to receive another 8, can you re-split your hand? Some casinos will say yes, others will say no.
Another fine line on splitting is the splitting of Aces. Most casinos will only allow you to split the Aces, and not allow you to continue to play the hands. You'll receive one card to go on top of each split Ace, and then the action is finished.
Rules that are applied to splitting are another way that the game of Blackjack varies from region to region and casino to casino.
3. Insurance - is something a dealer offers the players when they have an Ace showing as their up card. They will give you the chance to make a side bet. If they have Blackjack, you will win your money back and break even for the hand. If they do not have blackjack, you lose the "insurance" bet.
4. Surrender - This option is not always given. The action of surrendering means folding your hand, and surrendering half the amount you had bet. This is a qay to get out of a hand that looks as though you'll have very little chance of winning.
Different casinos offer the surrender option differently. Some allow you to surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack, others make you wait until after the dealer checks before you can surrender.
Example Blackjack Hands
Example 1
The cards are dealt:
Player Recieves: a King and a Three, for a hand totalling 13.
Dealer Shows: a Four
> Player stands.
> Dealer turns over second card to reveal a Ten, giving him a total of 14.
- By the rules, he must hit. So, he does.
> Dealer receives a 9, giving him a total of 23. He automatically loses since his total is more than 21.
Example 2
Player Recieves: a four and a Seven - totalling 11.
Dealer Shows: a Nine
> Player doubles down. They first add chips to their bet, doubling it. They then receive a Queen, giving them 21.
> Dealer turns over their second card, showing a King for a total of 19.
> Player wins
Example 3
Player receives: A Seven and a Seven, giving them 14.
Dealer Shows: a Four
> Player splits their Sevens into two hands. After placing the second bet for their new hand, they receive a Ten for 17 on their first hand. They receive an Ace for 18 on their second hand.
> Dealer turns over their second card to reveal a Six. Since his total is less than 17 he must hit. He receives an 8, giving him a total of 18.
> Player loses his first hand (17 vs. the dealer's 18). Player ties on his second hand (18 vs 18) and the bet is a "push" with the player receiving his money back.
This page last updated January 7th, 2007.
