Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular casino card game that combines skill and luck. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play:
- Objective: The goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without going over 21.
- Card Values:
- Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10.
- Aces can be worth 1 or 11, depending on which value benefits your hand the most.
- Gameplay:
- Each player is dealt two cards, face up. The dealer receives one card face up and one card face down (the hole card).
- Players take turns to decide their actions:
- Hit: Take another card.
- Stand: Keep your current hand.
- Double Down: Double your bet and take one more card.
- Split: If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands, placing an additional bet equal to your original bet.
- Surrender: Some casinos allow you to forfeit half your bet and stop playing the hand.
- Winning:
- If your hand value is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win.
- If your hand value exceeds 21, you bust and lose automatically.
- If the dealer busts and you do not, you win.
- If both you and the dealer have the same hand value, it’s a push, and your bet is returned.
- Dealer’s Play:
- The dealer reveals their hole card once all players have finished their turns.
- The dealer must hit until their cards total 17 or higher.
- Payouts:
- A winning hand pays even money (1:1).
- A blackjack (Ace and a 10-value card on the initial deal) usually pays 3:2.
- Basic Strategy:
- Familiarize yourself with basic strategy charts for the best statistical decisions based on your hand and the dealer’s up card.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Play responsibly and enjoy the game!