Blackjack

Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular casino game in which players compare their hand of cards with the dealer’s hand. To win, you have to create a hand with a higher total than the dealer’s – but without exceeding 21.

At the beginning of each game, you place your bet in the betting box in front of where you’re sitting at the table. After all the bets are placed, each player is dealt two cards face-up. The dealer receives one card face-up and the dealer’s hand is completed once all players have finished drawing cards.

Determining your hand’s value is simple: face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) have a value of 10. Numbered cards are worth their face value, and Aces count as either 1 or 11.

If your first two cards total 21, you win because you have a Blackjack which pays 3 to 2 on your bet. If the dealer also has a Blackjack, you would push (tie). On your turn, you must choose whether to hit, or stand in order to create a hand totaling as close to 21 as possible – without busting. If the dealer exceeds 21, all players who have 21 or less win. Otherwise the dealer’s point total is compared to each player’s. All winning bets are paid even money (one to one).