What Are the Rules to the Card Game Blackjack?

If you’re looking to learn how to play blackjack, it’s important to know the rules of the game. Blackjack is a popular card game in which players attempt to beat the dealer by getting a hand closer to 21 points without going over. In this article, we’ll cover the basic rules of blackjack and give you some tips for playing the game.

The Basics

The game of blackjack is played with one or more decks of standard playing cards. Each card is worth its face value, with face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) worth 10 points and aces worth either 1 or 11 points.

At the beginning of each hand, players place their bets in the designated area on the table. The dealer then deals two cards to each player and two cards to themselves. One of the dealer’s cards is face up and one is face down.

Playing Your Hand

Once you have received your initial two cards, you have a few options for playing your hand. You can:

• Hit: Ask for another card.
• Stand: Keep your current hand.
• Double down: Double your bet and receive one more card.
• Split: If you have two cards of equal value, split them into two separate hands.

The goal of the game is to get as close to 21 points as possible without going over. If you go over 21 points, you bust and lose your bet.

The Dealer’s Hand

Once all players have finished playing their hands, it’s time for the dealer to reveal their hand. The dealer must follow a specific set of rules when playing their hand.

• If the dealer has 16 or less, they must hit until they reach at least 17 points.
• If the dealer has 17 or more, they must stand.

If the dealer busts, all remaining players win their bets. If the dealer doesn’t bust, each player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s hand.

If your hand is closer to 21 points than the dealer’s hand, you win your bet. If the dealer’s hand is closer to 21 points than yours, you lose your bet.

Tips for Playing Blackjack

Here are a few tips for playing blackjack:

• Always assume the dealer’s face-down card is worth 10 points.
• If you have a hard total of 12-16, and the dealer has a 2-6 showing, stand.
• If you have a soft total of 13-18 and the dealer has a 5-6 showing, double down.
• If you have a pair of 4s, don’t split if the dealer has a 5 or 6 showing.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basic rules of blackjack and some tips for playing the game, it’s time to hit the tables. Remember to always gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Good luck!