How to Play Blackjack

The object in blackjack game is to accrue cards with points totaling as close to 21 without going over.

Whoever (player or dealer) has closest to a total of 21 without going over wins the hand. To win, the player needs to beat the dealer without busting. To bust means that the cards total more than 21 and the player automatically loses.


Face cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks) are worth 10 points. Aces are worth 1 or 11, all other cards are valued the same as their number.


When the dealer and the player tie, it’s known as a push and neither the dealer nor the player wins or loses. When and Ace and 10 (Blackjack) are dealt on the first two cards the player automatically wins (3-2) unless the house ties.


The typical blackjack table seats about 5-6 players. None of the players seated at the table are directly competing against each other. The blackjack game itself is between the player and the dealer. Either six or eight decks of cards are used and shuffled all together by the dealer and then placed in a card dispensing box called a shoe.


Before receiving any cards players must place a bet. Each player seated at the table is then dealt two cards facing up. The dealer gets one face up, one face down. Each player in turn either stands (stays) or hits (takes more cards) to try and get closer to 21 without busting. Players who do not bust on the first round wait for the dealer's turn. When all the players are done, the dealer turns up the down card. As a rule, on counts of 17 or higher the dealer must stay; on counts of 16 or lower the dealer must draw.


The players who are left and have a with a higher card count than the dealer has win an amount equal to their bet. All other players lose their bet. When the dealer busts, all of the players win.