The 60-Second Beginner Guide
Blackjack is the ultimate "Player vs Dealer" game! You don't care what the other players at the table have; you are only trying to beat the dealer. Your goal is to get your cards to add up to 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over. If you go over 21, you "Bust" and lose instantly. Face cards are worth 10, and Aces are 1 or 11. If you have a total of 14, and you ask for a card and get a 10... that is 24, and you bust! Once you choose to stop taking cards ("Stand"), the dealer flips their hidden card and draws. If they bust, or your total is higher, you win money!
1. Setup
- 1Every player must place a bet in their betting circle before any cards are dealt.
- 2The dealer will deal exactly 2 cards face-up to every player at the table.
- 3The dealer also gives themselves 2 cards, but only one is face-up. The other is face-down (the "hole card").
2. How to Play
When it is your turn, you look at your two cards and calculate your total. You have a few options based on what you see:
"Hit": Tap the table to ask the dealer for another card. This adds to your total. You can hit as many times as you want!
"Stand": Wave your hand over your cards to tell the dealer you are happy with your total and you do not want any more cards.
"Double Down": If you love your first two cards (like an 11), you can double your original bet, but you will only receive EXACTLY one more card, and then you must stand.
"Split": If you are dealt a pair (like two 8s), you can place a second bet equal to your first and split them into two entirely separate hands!
Scoring
- •All numbered cards (2-10) are worth their exact face value.
- •All face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) are worth exactly 10.
- •Aces are magical: they can be worth either 1 OR 11, whichever helps your hand the most without pushing you over 21.
- •A "Blackjack" is an Ace and any 10-value card dealt as your very first two cards. It usually pays out at a 3:2 bonus ratio!
Winning Conditions
- ✓You win if your final card total is higher than the dealer's final total without exceeding 21.
- ✓You win if the dealer draws cards and their total exceeds 21 (they bust), as long as you haven't busted first.
- ✓If you tie with the dealer (e.g., both have 18), it is a "Push" and you simply get your bet back.