blackjack may be played with one to eight ordinary decks of cards. Cards of rank 2 through 10 are scored according to face value. All face cards are worth 10 points. Aces are semi-wild and can be worth either 1 or 11 points. The highest hand in blackjack is an ace and any 10-point card; this is called a blackjack. A winning blackjack pays 3 to 2. If both player and dealer have blackjack, the bet is a push. Aside from a blackjack, a winning hand pays even money. The player wins if his hand has more points than the dealer, without going over 21. Thus, a 21-point hand is the highest and is why the game can also be called 21. If either the player or the dealer goes over 21, it is called a break or bust and a busted hand automatically loses. If both the player and the dealer bust the player loses; this is the house advantage. If the player and the dealer tie, the bet is a push.
A round of blackjack begins with each player placing a bet in the circle or logo in front of him. Then the dealer will give each player and himself two cards. Player cards are usually dealt face up. One dealer card is dealt face up (the up card) and the other face down (the hole card). If the dealer has a ten or an ace for his up card, it is possible that he has a blackjack, in which case, all player hands will lose except those with another blackjack.
When the dealer has an ace as the up card he will allow the players to insure their hands against a blackjack. This is similar to an insurance policy in which you are betting that something bad will happen. The insurance bet in blackjack pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer has an ace showing and a player has a blackjack the dealer will probably ask “even money?” This is because if the player has a blackjack the net result of both the blackjack and the insurance bet will be an “even money win” regardless of whether the dealer has a blackjack. After all players have had a chance to accept or decline insurance, the dealer will check the hole card.
After it has been established that the dealer does not have a blackjack the players in turn may play their hands.
Stand: If the player is satisfied with his hand as it is, he may stand pat. To signify you wish to stand, wave your hand as if you are waving the dealer away. In a single deck game, tuck your cards face down, under your bet.
Hit: If the player wishes to take another card, he may continue to do so until either he stands or busts. To show that you wish to hit, tap the table with your finger. In a single deck game, scrape your cards against the felt.
Double: If the player feels he needs one and only one more card then he may double his bet and be dealt one more card, be it good or bad. This option is only offered on the first two cards, and sometimes on the first two cards after splitting. To signify that you wish to double, place another wager next to your original wager of equal value. In single deck, place your cards face up next to your bet.
Split: If the player’s first two cards are of equal value, he may split them into two hands. In this event, each card is the first card of a new hand. The player must also make another wager, of equal value to the first wager, for the second hand. Splitting after splitting is allowed; however, resplitting aces is an exception. The player usually splits up to 2 or 3 times if another splitting opportunity comes around. Doubling after splitting is sometimes allowed. To show that you wish to split, put the additional wager next to the original. In single deck, place your cards face up by your bet.
Surrender: Finally, some casinos offer the player the option to surrender on the first two cards. If the player does not like his prospects he may forfeit half the bet and his cards. If the dealer has a ten or ace showing, and the dealer peeks at his hole card for a blackjack before the first player’s turn, then the move is called a “late surrender.” If the dealer does not check for blackjack, or does not take a hole card at all, then the option is called “early surrender.” Early surrender is much better for the player, this is because of the protection against a dealer blackjack.
After all players have played their hands, from the dealer’s left to right, the dealer plays his hand. The dealer has no free will but must always play by house rules. Usually the rule is that the dealer must hit until he reaches a score of 17 or more. Some casinos stipulate that if the dealer has a soft 17, an ace and any number of cards totaling 6, he must hit. If the dealer busts, all players that did not bust automatically are winners.

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