What Are the Rules of the Card Game Blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games played in casinos around the world. It’s a game of skill and strategy, where players try to beat the dealer by having a hand with a total value of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. In this article, we’ll discuss the rules of blackjack and how to play this exciting game.

The Basics

The game is played with one or more decks of standard playing cards, usually ranging from two to eight decks. The cards are shuffled before each round begins. Each player at the table is dealt two cards face up, while the dealer receives one card face up and one card face down.

Card Values

In blackjack, each card has a point value. Cards numbered 2 through 10 are worth their face value, while face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points each. The Ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points depending on the situation.

Gameplay

After receiving their initial two cards, players have several options:

Hit: Ask for another card to be dealt
Stand: Keep their current hand and end their turn
Double Down: Double their original bet and receive only one additional card
Split: If they have two cards of equal value, they can split them into separate hands and receive an additional card for each hand
Surrender: Give up half of their bet and end their turn

The objective is to get a total value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. If a player goes over 21, they bust and lose their bet. If the dealer busts but the player doesn’t, then the player wins.

Dealer Rules

The dealer must follow strict rules when playing blackjack. They must hit until they reach a total of 17 or higher. Once they reach this total, they must stand.

If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, players have the option to take insurance. This is a side bet that pays out at 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.

Blackjack

If a player receives an Ace and a face card (10, Jack, Queen, King) as their initial two cards, they have blackjack and win automatically. If the dealer also has blackjack, it’s a tie or push.

Conclusion

Now that you know the rules of blackjack, you can try your luck at this exciting game. Remember to always play responsibly and within your means. Good luck!