Blackjack Rules

Blackjack is actually a very simple game and has only a few basic rules. This article is designed to those rules and does not cover blackjack srategy or any of the the complex rules. All blackjack rules and variations will be posted on a sign at the blackjack table to the right of the dealer. Make sure you look at these before sitting down at a table.

Start of Play

Before any cards are dealt, the player must wager. He does this by placing his bet in the designated space in front of his table position. The dealer then deals two cards to each of the players, and two to himself. One of the dealer's cards is dealt face up and one is dealt facing down. Players cards may be dealt either face up or face down. Face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) are counted as 10, Aces count as either one or 11, depending on the other cards in a player's hand, and all other cards are counted at their face value.

Blackjack

If the player's first two cards are an ace and a 10 or face card, he wins. However, if the dealer also has a blackjack, it is a standoff, as are all ties or pushes. A winning blackjack pays the player 3 to 2 odds.

Hit

Hit means to draw another card, which the player signifies by scraping the table with his cards in a face down game or with his fingers in a face up game. If the player hits and busts, goes over 21, he immediately turns his cards over and his wager is lost.

Stand

Stand means the player receives no more cards, which the player signals by placing his cards under his wager in a face down game or moving his hand in a horizontal direction in a face up game.

Double Down

The player is allowed to double the bet on his first two cards and draw one additional card only to improve his hand. Essentially the player is saying that he can beat the dealer's hand with only one additional card.

Splitting Pairs

If the first two cards that a player is dealt are a pair, he may split them into two separate hands, bet the same amount on each and then play them separately. If a player splits Aces, he receives only one additional card per Ace. After splitting, an Ace-10 combination counts as 21 and not as blackjack.

Insurance

If the dealer's up card is an ace, the player may take insurance, a bet not exceeding one-half his original bet. If the dealer's down card is a 10 or any face card, the player wins 2 to 1. Any other card means a win for the dealer. The insurance bet is separate from the player's initial bet.

Surrender

Where permitted, a player may give up his first two cards and lose only one-half his original bet.

Dealer Rules Of Play

The dealer must draw on 16 and stand on 17. In some casinos, the dealer is required to draw on soft 17.