How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack is a game found in nearly every casino in the world, and in virtually every online casino as well. Though the game may look complicated, all you really need to be able to do in order to play blackjack is add up to 21.
The Deal in Blackjack
The game starts with each player putting up a bet and then receiving two cards. The dealer also receives two cards. All of the players' cards are face up, and the dealer exposes only one card. It doesn't matter if the other players can see your cards since you are only playing against the House.
The Goal of Blackjack
Your goal is to get closer to 21 than the dealer does, without going over. Cards are their face value, with all picture cards worth 10 and aces worth one or 11. If your two cards don't add up to a number that you think can beat the dealer based on his exposed card, you can "hit" and get an additional card. You can continue to "hit" until you go over 21, in which case you "go bust" and lose your bet.
When you are happy with your point total, you "stand" and the next player goes. Once it is the dealer's turn to act, he turns over his other card. If he has 16 or less he must hit, 17 or more he must stand. If the dealer has a "soft" 17, meaning A6, where a hit cannot bust him because he can use the ace as a one-point card, the rule varies from casino to casino as to whether or not he must hit.
If the dealer busts, everyone who has not already busted wins. If he does not, he pays even money to players who have a higher point total than he does. A tie is a push and no one wins. The casino makes its money on blackjack really based on the concept that if both you and the dealer busts, the house wins. Going bust and letting the dealer go bust is also an important factor regarding the strategy for blackjack.
Players indicate a hit by tapping their cards or the table. A player indicates his desire to stand by waving his hand over the cards. In a live casino, dealers will not act until you give them a hand signal, so that the casino camera can resolve any disputes as to the player's intended action.
Other Blackjack Rules
Players also have the option to "double down," taking one card for double their bet, or to "split", using two cards of the same value to create the first cards of two new hands, also for double the bet. They can also take "insurance" if the dealer has an ace showing. If they do, they break even when the dealer has blackjack but lose half a bet if he does not (in addition to what is won or lost on the outcome of the hand).
| Top rated casinos | ||
|---|---|---|
| Room | Bonus | Visit |
 |
$2450 | Visit |
 |
$3050 | Visit |
 |
$3200 | Visit |
| See all Online Casinos | ||