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Blackjack Rules:

 

 

 

 Blackjack is one of the most widely-known games that can be played with friends and even for real money at traditional casinos all across the US. When you want to play blackjack, understanding the rules to the game can help you gain an advantage if playing against others or betting real money on a hand. Blackjack rules may vary with each casino or location, so getting familiar with the rules and methods of playing the game will help to improve skills and the overall knowledge you have of the game itself.

There have been over 100 documented variations on how to play blackjack in a casino and otherwise, so ensuring you know the "house rules" when visiting a casino is recommended to avoid losing money when betting any amount.

 

The Objective of Blackjack


To understand the rules of blackjack, knowing the object of the game is a way to get familiar with the base of how to play. The goal of the game is to reach "21" in points when playing the game with a traditional deck of 52 cards. Each numerical card is the value of the number itself. Jack, king and queen cards have a value of 10. The ace cards, however, can have the value of one or 11, depending on the player's preference and how it will benefit the player in the game dependent on the other card he or she is holding.

The dealer of the game gives each player two cards, both facing upwards and visible for all to see (in many cases). The dealer is also given two cards, only one is visible to those participating in the hand. Each player is then able to call "blackjack" (if immediately hitting 21) or they can choose from one of the available player options:
 

     
  1. Stand: Avoiding taking an additional card and staying in the hand with the current cards that have been dealt
     
  2. Hit: The dealer gives the player another card, which will help the player get closer to 21 or go over 21, effectively losing the hand
     
  3. Surrender: An action that must be taken in the first round, giving the player a loss of half of his or her bet while no longer having to continue.
     
  4. Split: A split can be called when a player is given two cards that are of the same value or face. Splitting allows the player to use two hands when playing. Casino house rules vary on how split decks are weighed in-game when betting against others.
     
  5. Double Down: Doubling down allows the gambler to increase the bet up to an entire 100% while also agreeing to take one more card for his or her hand and "standing" afterwards until the round is complete.
     

There is also "insurance" in the game of blackjack. Insurance is a bet that is made aside from the game with the players who believe the dealer has blackjack from the beginning of the hand. Insurance bets pay 2:1, which ultimately means that the player will receive two dollars for every dollar that is bet on the hand, which can help since the player is also betting in the actual hand as well.

If a player's hand ever exceeds 21 in total, he or she is disqualified from the round and can not partake in the winnings. The dealer will continue to deal cards as long as the players are asking for more until all players are out, calling to "stand" or if someone hits 21, in which it is considered "blackjack".

Once a player hits 21, saying "blackjack" out loud is a way to end the hand and check the player's hand to confirm the win.
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