How to Play Blackjack
The Complete Guide to the Casino's Most Popular Game
Objective of the Game
Blackjack (also known as Twenty-One) is a comparing card game between usually several players and a dealer, where each player in turn competes against the dealer.
The main objective of the game is to beat the dealer in one of the following ways:
- Get 21 points on the player's first two cards (called a "Blackjack" or "Natural"), without a dealer blackjack;
- Reach a final score higher than the dealer without exceeding 21; or
- Let the dealer draw additional cards until their hand exceeds 21 ("busted").
Important: You are playing only against the dealer, not against other players.
Card Values
In Blackjack, cards have the following values:
- Number Cards (2-10): Face value (e.g., a 2 is worth 2 points).
- Face Cards (King, Queen, Jack): Worth 10 points each.
- Aces: Worth either 1 or 11 points, whichever is better for the hand.
The Deal & Gameplay
1. Betting
Before any cards are dealt, the player must place a bet. In our simulator, the minimum bet is $50.
2. The Deal
Once bets are placed, the dealer distributes two cards to the player (face up) and two cards to themselves.
One of the dealer's cards is face up (the "upcard"), and the other is face down (the "hole card").
3. Player Actions
The player has several options:
- Hit: Take another card from the dealer. You can hit as many times as you like, but if your total goes over 21, you "bust" and lose the bet.
- Stand: Take no more cards. You are satisfied with your hand and wait for the dealer to play.
- Double Down: Double your original bet and receive exactly one more card. You must stand after receiving this card.
- Split: (Not available in this version) If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands.
Winning & Payouts
After the player finishes their turn, the dealer reveals their hole card. If the dealer has 16 or less, they must draw another card. If the dealer has 17 or more, they must stand.
- Winning Hand: Pays 1:1 (e.g., bet $10, win $10).
- Blackjack: Pays 3:2 (e.g., bet $10, win $15).
- Push (Tie): If you and the dealer have the same total, your bet is returned.