How to Play Blackjack

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is one of the most popular card games enjoyed by millions of casino buffs. Blackjack is easy to play and the excitement it offers is beyond words. The object of blackjack is to obtain a total card value of 21 or close to that total without exceeding the 21 points.

Traditionally blackjack is played on a semi circular table with one seat for the dealer and the remaining sears for the players. The players of the game are known as box holders. The box holders take decisions when the game is in progress. The cloth on all seats is labeled with one double circle or several single circles – the designated area where the blackjack players put their money and/or the value chips.

Before the blackjack game begins, that is the dealer deals any cards, the players place their bet in the double box. All players play blackjack against the bank – that is a croupier, who is known as the dealer. For those who are playing together with the box holders can place their value chips in the single circles marked in the cloth. Blackjack starts with the dealer giving two cards to each box holders and then to himself. One card of the dealer is dealt face up and the other is dealt face down.

The face cards - Kings, Queens, and Jacks - are all worth 10 points. The Ace can count as either an 11 or a 1 point card (the value of Ace card is your choice). All other cards from 2 to 10 take their normal values.

The box holder’s aim is to draw cards until their hand adds up to 21 or close to 21. If the first two cards dealt to you total to 21 points, then it is a natural Blackjack. You are the winner of the game or simply you have Blackjack! The box holder who wins blackjack will get one and one-half times his/her bet unless the dealer also has blackjack.

If the box holder is dealt with any two cards other than a blackjack, he has two options – “hit” (accept another card) or “stand” (refuse any further cards). A player who selects the “stands” option will not be given any additional cards. Cards are dealt till the player stands or “busts” (exceeds 21 points). When a box holder “busts”, he suddenly loses his bet despite the dealer’s hand result.

After the box holder’s final actions, the dealer reveals the down card. If the dealer’s hand is less than 16 points or 16, the dealer has to continue the “hit” option until he reaches 17 or more. The dealer need to stand on soft 17 and should not take any additional cards. The box holder wins, if he stood without busting and the dealer “busts” (exceed 21). The dealer wins if the dealer stands on 17 or more and has a higher point than the box holder. If both the dealer and the player have the same points, it’s a “push” (tie).