BlackJack rules

Object: to get a hand value that is closer to 21 than that of the dealer, without going over 21. Hand is strictly played out against the hand of the dealer, so other players at the table are of no concern. Value of a hand is simply the sum of the point counts of each card forming the hand.

Practise: download for free a full version of BlackJack games. So you can practise on your computer, without risking a single cent.

Values of the cards: suits of the cards have no meaning at all in the game. Ace can count as either 1 or 11; cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated on the cards; 10, Jack, Queen and King are count as 10.

Jargon: blackjack - also known as natural, is a total of 21 in the first two cards. A blackjack is therefore an Ace and any ten-valued card, with the additional requirement that these be player's first two cards. When a pair of Aces is splitted and then a ten-valued card is add to the Aces, there's no blackjack, but rather a total of 21. The distinction is important, because a winning blackjack pays the player odds of 3 to 2. Player 'sblackjack beats any dealer total other than a dealer's blackjack, including a dealer's regular 21. If both a player and the dealer make blackjack, the hand is a tie or push.
Bust - dealer or player draws cards to a total of more than 21
Face card - King, Queen and Jack
Hard hand - without an ace or a hand that can't use the ace as eleven
Hit or draw - drawing additional cards
Hole card - face down card dealt to the dealer
Insurance - side wager made  when the dealer is showing an ace, for up to half of the original wager value
Push - no winner or loser, when the dealer and player have identical card values
Press - to increase the amount being wagered after a win, usually by the original amount
Soft hand - a hand that can use the ace as one or eleven
Split - to make two hands from a pair of cards
Stand - not drawing any more cards
Stiff hand - between twelve through sixteen
Surrender - option which allows the players to give up half of their wager

Practise: download for free a full version of BlackJack games. So you can practise on your computer, without risking a single cent.

Playing: rules of play for the dealer are strictly dictated, leaving no decisions up to the dealer. For this reason, the dealer and other players at the table can see eachother cards. Indeed, while playing at a shoe game, the player cards are all dealt face up.

There are two main rule variations that determine at which totals the dealer must draw. The rule should be clearly labeled on the blackjack tabletop with these words:

"Dealer stands on all 17s": the most common rule. The dealer must continue to hit (take cards) until his total is 17 or greater. An Ace in the dealer's hand is always counted as 11 if possible without the dealer going over 21.

"Dealer hits soft 17": same as above, with one difference: when the dealer has a soft total of 17 (f.e.: Ace, 6; Ace, 5, Ace; Ace, 2, 4), he hits these hands and stands on soft 18 or higher, or hard 17 or higher. When this rule is used, the house advantage against the players is slightly increased.

Once all the bets are made, the dealer will deal the cards to the players. The dealer will make two passes around the table starting at the first seat to the dealer's left, also called first base, so players and dealer have two cards each. The dealer will flip one of his cards over, exposing its value.

In the shoe games, the players cards will be dealt face-up, and the players are not allowed to touch the cards.

When playing a hand-held games, the player's cards are dealt face down, and the players pick up the cards. Players are only allowed to touch the cards with one hand, must keep the cards over the table, any cards that the dealer subsequently deals must be left on the table, not added to the cards in the hand.

Once the cards are dealt, play proceeds around the table, always starting at the first seat to the dealer's left. Each player in turn indicates to the dealer how he wishes to play the hand: surrend, hit, stand, double down, split pairs, get insurance.

After each player has finished his hand, the dealer will complete his hand, and then pay or collect the player bets.

Practise: download for free a full version of BlackJack games. So you can practise on your computer, without risking a single cent.

Strategy: below you find the tables with hints about hitting or standing. Using them will not provide a secure winnning, please consider there are other factors influencing the game.