Blackjack
Goal
Beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without busting. In blackjack, the dealer represents the house; players compare their hand against the dealer, not against each other.
Key Terms
- Hit: Take another card.
- Stand: Take no more cards.
- Double: Double your bet for exactly one more card.
- Split: Separate a pair into two hands.
- Bust: Your hand total exceeds 21 and you lose the round.
Setup
- Each player and the dealer receive two cards; one dealer card is face up.
Card Values
- 2–10 = face value, face cards = 10, Aces = 1 or 11.
Player Actions
- Hit to take another card.
- Stand to hold.
- Optional: Double (one more card), Split (pairs), Surrender.
Dealer Play
- Dealer hits until 17 or higher (house rules vary on soft 17).
Example Hand
You have 10 and 6 (16). You hit and receive a 4 (total 20), then stand.
End
- Busts lose immediately. Otherwise highest total wins.
- A natural blackjack usually beats any 21 and pays a bonus.
- Ties with the dealer are usually a push (no win or loss).