Blackjack

1. Objective

The goal of Blackjack is to get a hand value that is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand without exceeding 21.

2. Card Values

Number cards (2-10): Face value (i.e., a 5 card is worth 5 points).

Face cards (King, Queen, Jack): Each worth 10 points.

Ace: Can be worth 1 point or 11 points, depending on which value is more beneficial to the hand. (For example, if your hand totals 11 and you add an Ace, the Ace will be counted as 11 to give you 21.)

3. The Game Setup

Players: 1 or more players play against the dealer (the house). Players do not compete against each other.

Decks: Blackjack is usually played with 1 to 8 standard 52-card decks, depending on the casino or variation.

4. Gameplay Flow

4.1. Dealing

Each player is dealt two cards face up.

The dealer is dealt two cards: one face up and one face down (the face-down card is called the "hole card").

4.2. Player Actions

After receiving their initial two cards, players have the following options:

Hit: Ask for another card to add to your hand. You can hit as many times as you like, but if your total exceeds 21, you "bust" and lose the hand immediately.

Stand: Keep your current hand and end your turn.

Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive exactly one more card. After this, you must stand.

Split: If your initial two cards are of the same rank (e.g., two 8s), you can split them into two separate hands, placing an additional bet equal to your initial wager. Each hand is then played independently.

Surrender: In some versions of Blackjack, if you think your hand is unlikely to win, you may forfeit the hand and reclaim half of your bet.

Insurance: If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, you can take "insurance," a side bet up to half of your original bet, to hedge against the possibility of the dealer having Blackjack. If the dealer does have Blackjack, the insurance pays 2:1. If not, you lose the insurance bet, and the hand continues.

4.3. Dealer’s Turn

Once all players have completed their turns, the dealer reveals their hole card and plays their hand. The dealer follows these rules:

If the dealer's hand is 16 or below, they must "hit" (take another card).

If the dealer's hand is 17 or higher, they must "stand" (stop taking cards).

Note: Some variations require the dealer to hit on a "soft 17" (a hand with an Ace valued at 11, e.g., Ace + 6).

5. Winning and Payouts

Blackjack (Natural 21): If your first two cards total 21 (Ace + 10-value card), you have a "Blackjack." You win 1.5 times your bet (3:2) unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case it's a push (tie).

Beat the Dealer: You win if your hand value is higher than the dealer's without exceeding 21. The payout is 1:1.

Push: If both you and the dealer have the same hand value, it’s a tie, and your bet is returned.

Dealer Busts: If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, all remaining players win.

Player Busts: If your hand exceeds 21, you lose the round, regardless of the dealer’s hand.

6. Common Terminology

Soft Hand: A hand containing an Ace that can be counted as 1 or 11 without busting (e.g., Ace + 6 = 7 or 17).

Hard Hand: A hand that either does not contain an Ace or where the Ace can only be counted as 1 to avoid busting (e.g., 10 + 7 = 17).

Hole Card: The dealer's face-down card.

Push: When the player and dealer have hands of equal value, resulting in a tie.

7. Side Bets (Optional)

Many Blackjack variations offer side bets that players can make for extra excitement. Some common ones include:

Perfect Pairs: A bet on whether your first two cards form a pair (e.g., two Queens).

21+3: A side bet combining your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card to form a poker hand like a straight or three of a kind.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

While there is no foolproof way to guarantee wins in Blackjack, following basic strategy can significantly reduce the house edge. This strategy is based on the value of your hand compared to the dealer's up-card. Here are some general guidelines:

Always stand on a hard 17 or higher.

Always hit on a hand value of 11 or lower.

Double down on 11 when the dealer shows a lower card (except an Ace).

Stand on a hand value of 12-16 if the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6 (because the dealer is more likely to bust).

By adhering to basic strategy and making smart choices, you can improve your odds of winning in Blackjack.