Blackjack Rules
Blackjack, also known as “21”, is a classic casino card game that has been enjoyed by players for centuries. The goal of Blackjack is to beat the dealer by having a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without going over.
Gameplay:
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Deal the Initial Cards:
- Each player and the dealer are dealt two cards face up.
- Players can choose to “hit” (receive another card), “stand” (keep their current hand), or “double down” (double their bet and receive one more card).
- The dealer must hit on any hand that is 16 or less and stand on any hand that is 17 or more.
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Card Values:
- Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10.
- Aces can be worth either 1 or 11, at the player’s discretion.
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Winning:
- A hand that totals 21 is called a “Blackjack” and wins immediately.
- If both the player and the dealer have Blackjack, it is a “push” and neither party wins or loses.
- If the player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, the player wins.
- If the player’s hand is over 21, they “bust” and lose.
- If the player’s hand ties the dealer’s hand, it is a “push”.
Basic Strategy:
To improve your odds of winning at Blackjack, follow these basic strategy guidelines:
- Stand on 17 or higher.
- Hit on 16 or lower.
- Double down on 11 with the dealer showing a 2-10.
- Surrender (give up half your bet and receive nothing) when the dealer has a strong hand (such as 10 or higher) and you have a weak hand (such as 15 or less).