Blackjack Instructions

The cards from 2 to 9 have a value equal to what is shown on the card. The 10, Jack, Queen and King cards all have a value of ten. The Ace is a special card and can have a value of either one or eleven depending on what value the player assigns to it. A blackjack (an automatic winner) is made when the player has two cards totalling 21 an ace and another card worth ten.

Playing the Game
In casinos multiple decks of cards are used, the player cards are dealt face up and the players don't touch the cards. The dealer starts by dealing one card to all of the players at the table and then one to his/herself. The dealer then deals everyone a second card but deals his/her second card face down.

While the table may have several players at Blackjack is not a group game. The players are not playing against each other, each player plays against the dealer, what other players do has no effect on your game.

The players always go first the player has the option of drawing another card or standing. If a player goes over 21 they bust (a loss) and the dealer automatically wins. After all the players are finished with their hands the dealer will play his/her hand. The dealers play according to rules, which are posted for all to see. Usually the dealer has to take another card if his/her hand totals 16 or less and stands on totals of 17 or more.

Once the dealer is finished he/she pays off hands better than his/hers, collects from players with hands less than his/hers and pushes (neither pays off nor collects) with tie hands.

Betting Rules
All bets are made before the first card is dealt. Winning hands pay even money with a blackjack paying 3 to 2 ($3 paid on a $2 bet).

Blackjack Options
Doubling Down - When you feel that you can beat the dealer by drawing one (and only one) card you can double your bet before drawing your last card.

Splitting Pairs - When you are dealt two cards of equal value you have the option of splitting them and playing each card as a separate hand. When splitting aces you are usually allowed only one more card on each ace and if dealt a card with a value of 10 it is counted as 21 (not blackjack) and will lose if the dealer gets a blackjack.

Insurance - When the dealers face up card is an ace players have the option of betting on the face down card being worth 10. If the dealer has a blackjack the side bet pays 2 to 1 (of course your original bet will lose unless you tie with another blackjack).

Surrender - When offered, a player has the option of surrendering when after looking at the first two cards dealt he/she feels that they cannot beat the dealer. After announcing surrender the dealer will collect the cards and half of the players bet.