The Basics of the Game

The Setup

Imagine walking into a casino, hearing the clatter of chips, the murmur of the crowd, and the occasional cheer. You approach a blackjack table, and here’s what you’ll see:

• The Dealer: The casino employee running the game. They deal the cards, manage the bets, and play the dealer’s hand.
• The Players: Up to seven players can sit at a table. Each competes against the dealer, not against each other.
• The Cards: A standard deck of 52 cards is used, but many casinos use multiple decks shuffled together.
• The Table: It’s semi-circular, with spaces for each player to place their bets and cards.

Card Values

Understanding the value of the cards is crucial:

• Number Cards (2-10): These are worth their face value.
• Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): Each of these is worth 10 points.
• Aces: These can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what’s more favorable for your hand.

The Objective

The goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without exceeding 21. If your hand goes over 21, you bust and lose the round.

The Gameplay

Let’s walk through a typical round of blackjack so you can get a feel for how it all plays out.

Placing Your Bets

First things first: you’ll need to place your bet. This can be as little as a few dollars or as much as you’re comfortable with, depending on the table limits. Place your chips in the designated betting area in front of you.

Dealing the Cards

Once all bets are placed, the dealer will give each player two cards, face up. They’ll also deal themselves two cards—one face up (the upcard) and one face down (the hole card).

Your Turn

Here’s where the fun starts! Look at your cards and the dealer’s upcard. You have a few options for your next move:

• Hit: Take another card. You can keep hitting until you either reach 21, feel confident with your hand, or bust (go over 21).
• Stand: Stick with your current hand. If you’re happy with your total or don’t want to risk going over 21, you’ll stand.
• Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive just one more card. This is a good option if you’re confident the next card will put you in a strong position.
• Split: If your first two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands, doubling your bet. The dealer will give you an additional card for each hand, and you play them separately.
• Surrender: Some casinos offer the option to surrender, which means you give up half your bet and end your turn early.

Dealer’s Turn

Once all players have finished their turns, it’s the dealer’s turn. The dealer will reveal their hole card and play their hand according to strict rules:

• Must Hit: The dealer must hit if their hand totals 16 or less.
• Must Stand: The dealer must stand if their hand totals 17 or more.

Winning and Losing

Now, it’s time to see who wins! Here are the possible outcomes:

• You Win: Your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, or the dealer busts.
• You Lose: Your hand goes over 21, or the dealer’s hand is closer to 21.
• Push: If your hand and the dealer’s hand are the same value, it’s a tie, and your bet is returned.

Basic Strategy Tips

You’re almost ready to play! But before you do, here are a few basic strategy tips to give you a better chance of winning:

1. Know When to Hit and Stand:
   • Hit if your hand totals 8 or less.
   • Stand if your hand totals 17 or more.
   • If you have a hand totaling between 12 and 16, consider the dealer’s upcard. If it’s 7 or higher, you might want to hit; if it’s 6 or lower, you might stand.
2. Double Down Smartly:
   • Double down if you have a total of 10 or 11, and the dealer’s upcard is lower than your hand.
3. Split Wisely:
   • Always split Aces and 8s.
   • Never split 10s or 5s.