If you are able to count to twenty-one and have some elementary math skills, you're ready to start playing one of the most popular casino games in existence. Here is where you get more familiar with basic blackjack rules.
When you take a seat at the blackjack table, you pit your skills against the dealer; any other players at the table don't impact your wins or losses. As opposed to most other games, you're not playing against the other players. Blackjack rules are rather easy to remember. The main object is not to bust, or have a hand with a total higher than 21. If your hand total is 21 or less, then you can still be in line to compete against the dealer and win your bet.
According to blackjack rules, cards with a face value of two through ten are worth that same value in points. Face cards (jack, queen, king), also known as "paint cards" or "royalty cards", are worth 10 points each. Aces have a value of either 1 (if the total of the rest of the hand is 11 or more) or 11 (if the total of the rest of the hand is 10 or less). The methods to win at blackjack have a great deal of variety. If the dealer’s hand is over 21 while yours stays at 21 or less, you win and the dealer "busts". If you both have 21 or less, but your hand beats his, you win. Also, if your first two cards are an ace and a ten-value card, you have a "blackjack" (regardless of if you have a black jack in your hand) for a score of 21 and you win automatically.
Unlike many casino games, blackjack requires that players make decisions at each stage of the hand. A few decisions you will need to make are:
HIT: If your total is 21 or less, you have the option to take another card and improve your score.
STAND: If you choose not to hit, you can "stand" on your current score and not take any more cards.
DOUBLE DOWN: You can choose to double your bet and take one (and only one) more card after your first two cards.
SPLIT: If you have a matching pair of cards (6/6 or K/Q), you can make an additional bet and split the pair to play each one as a separate hand.
Some casinos set restrictions on when players can split or double-down as well as when dealers can hit or stand. Always check the table rules to find out when each rule applies to players and dealers.
