The rules for the game of Blackjack are both simple and straightforward. Blackjack uses a standard set of 52 playing cards and players compete against the dealer, not each other. The suits are ignored in this game; only the numerical values of the cards are important. If you're looking for information on how to make the game work, you might want to read the Player's Guide.
The object of Blackjack is to have a higher hand total than the dealer without going over 21. If the player has a higher total, they win; if the dealer has the higher total, the player loses. Ties, called pushes, have no effect, with neither the player nor the dealer winning. If the hand totals more than 21, it is called a "bust" and the player or dealer who busts automatically loses.
Before the game begins, the cards are shuffled. From one to eight decks of cards are used, with six being a common number. A "shuffle card" is placed toward the back of the deck. The cards are dealt from the deck until the shuffle card is reached. When the shuffled card appears, the hand is played out, and then the deck is reshuffled. Optionally, a "cut card" is used to cut the deck after it has been shuffled, but before the shuffle card is placed. When the deck is used after the shuffle, one or more cards may be "burned", which removes them from play.
Before any cards are dealt, each player places a bet on the table. Each table has a minimum and maximum amount of the bet; these minimums and maximums vary from table to table and casino to casino. Once the bet is placed, it may not be retracted or altered, except as described below. If the player loses, the entire bet is lost to the house. If the player wins, they receive their original bet back plus an amount equal to their bet (1:1). If the player has a blackjack (an ace and any "10" card), they receive their original bet plus an amount equal to one and a half times their original bet (3:2). Some situations in play, such a doubling down and surrender, can alter the bet on the table.
Once all bets are placed, the dealer deals the cards, one card at a time to each player in turn, then one card to the dealer, then one more card to each player, and finally, one last card to the dealer. In some cards, all player cards are dealt face up, while in others, all player cards are dealt face down. In all games, however, one dealer card is dealt face down, while the other dealer card is dealt face up (the upcard).
The value of the card is simply the face value of the card, with two exceptions. Aces can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which makes the best hand. Face cards are all counted as 10. The suit of the card does not matter in the game. For example, if the player is dealt a King and a nine, they have 19. If an ace and a 10 card are dealt to the player, this is a blackjack, and they win, with a payoff of 3:2. (If the dealer also has a blackjack, the hand is considered a push.) If the dealer has a blackjack, all players automatically lose (unless they also have a blackjack).
After receiving the first two cards and examining the dealer's upcard, the player has several options: they may stand, hit, double-down, split, or surrender. The player must choose one of these options. If the dealer's upcard is an Ace, the player has the option to take insurance.
If the player believes the total of his cards are good enough to win the hand, they should elect to stand. When a player stands, no further actions are taken for that player, and they wait until the dealer's hand is resolved to determine the hand's outcome.
If the player would like an additional card, they hit their hand to receive one more card, whose value is added to the value of the cards in the player's hand. If the total of all the cards is more than 21, they "bust" and lose the hand. If the total is less than 21, they may elect to stand, or continue hitting. A player may hit as many times as they long, provided they do not bust.
f the player feels that by adding exactly one more card from the deck to his hand he will end up with a very strong hand, he may elect to double down. The player doubles the amount of the original bet on the table, and they receive exactly one more card. Once a player has doubled down and received the additional card, they automatically stand and wait for the dealer's hand to be resolved. If the player busts, they lose immediately. Doubling down is an option available only with the first two cards. If a player first hits their hand, they may no longer double down.
f a player's cards are of the same value (all face cards are considered to be worth 10, and thus equal), they may "split" the hand. In this case, each card forms a new hand, and another card is dealt to each hand. In additional, another amount equal to the original bet is put up for the split hand. If the same card is dealt to a split hand, the hand can be split again. There can be up to four split hands for each player (the original one, and up the three additional hands). Aces that are split are handled slightly differently. In this case, one card is dealt to each split hand, and the player automatically stands. If a ten is dealt to the ace, the hand is worth 21, but is not counted as a blackjack.
Any two-card hand, including previously split hands, may be surrendered. Surrendering a hand concedes defeat without playing out the hand. One-half of the bet is returned to the player.
f the dealer's upcard is an Ace, insurance will be offered to the players. Insurance is a side bet on whether or not the dealer has a 10 card in the "hole," which would make a blackjack. At the player's option, they may place up to one-half of the original bet on insurance. If the dealer does indeed have a blackjack, the player wins the side bet at 2:1, and loses the original bet. If the dealer does not have blackjack the player loses the insurance bet, and the hand is played out as normal.
Once the player has played out his hand and either stands or busts, the dealer plays out his hand. The dealer always plays the hand according to a strict set of rules:
Once the dealer's hand is complete, the final outcome can be determined. If the player's hand is greater than the dealer's hand, the player wins at 2:1. If the player's hand is equal to the dealer's hand, the hand is a push, and the original bet is returned to the player. If the player's hand is less than the dealer's hand, the dealer wins, and the bet for that hand is taken. The cards are collected from the table, and a new hand is dealt.
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