How Many Cards Do You Start With in Blackjack?

In blackjack, each player is dealt two cards face down, with the option to receive additional cards (“hits”) until they reach a total of 21 or “bust.” The dealer also starts with two cards, but one is face up so that all players can see it.

Blackjack is played with one or more standard 52-card decks, with each denomination assigned a point value: the ace is worth 1 or 11 points (player’s choice), face cards are worth 10 points, and all other cards are worth their numeric value.

Once all players have taken their turns, the dealer reveals their face down card and hits or stands according to set rules. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win; if the dealer does not bust, then players compare their totals to the dealer’s hand and whoever has the higher total wins.

If both the player and dealer have the same total, it is a “push” or tie and no money changes hands.

Most blackjack games use four, six, or eight decks of cards. The player whose bet is closest to (but not over) the amount of the bank wins and takes the entire pot.

In order to win, it is important to understand not only the basic rules of blackjack but also how the game is played using multiple decks.

The basic rules of blackjack are simple: get as close to 21 as possible without going over (busting). In order to do this, you need to know the point values of the cards. All numbered cards (2-10) are worth their numeric value, meaning a two of clubs is worth two points and a five of hearts is worth five points.

The ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points (player’s choice), so an ace of spades could be 11 points while an ace of diamonds could be just 1 point. Face cards—jacks, queens, and kings—are each worth 10 points.

Now that you know the point values of the cards, you can start adding them up to create a hand total. Aces are unique in that they can be worth either 1 or 11 points, so you need to be careful when including them in your hand total. For example, let’s say you are dealt an ace and a six; your hand total can be either 7 or 17 points. If you were then dealt a 10-point card, your hand would total 27 points and you would automatically lose (bust).

However, if your first two cards were an ace and a five, your hand total could be either 6 or 16 points. In this case, receiving a 10-point card would not cause you to bust because you would then have a hand total of 26 points or 16 points—both of which are under 21.

It is also important to know that blackjack is typically played with multiple decks of cards (anywhere from four to eight). The number of decks in use will affect both what card counting system you use (if any) as well as your overall strategy for playing the game.

For example, if you are playing blackjack with eight decks in use, there are more 10-point cards in circulation than if only four decks were in use. This means that it becomes more likely for players to bust when more decks are in play—and thus increases the house edge ever so slightly.

In conclusion, blackjack is typically played with two cards dealt to each player face down and one up for the dealer with option to receive additional hits until they reach 21 or bust following set rules. If both player and dealer totals tie it’s a push.

Most games use 4-8 decks where number affect strategy used.