Blackjack (or twenty-one) is a popular card game played in casinos around the world. A game in which players compete against a dealer (or "the house"), it can be played for a variety of stakes and according to many different rule variations. And like roulette or craps, blackjack can serve as a great context for socializing with other players -- none of whom compete against each other, but all against "the house".
Blackjack is not a difficult game to learn. Here are a few basics for getting started.
Card Values and the Object of the Game
In blackjack all cards are converted to numeric values. Twos through tens are worth their rank, face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) are all worth 10, and aces are worth either 11 or one, whichever helps the player make a better hand.
The object of the game is to make a hand that comes as close to 21 as possible without going over in the hopes of ending with a total higher than that of the dealer.
The Deal
You begin by placing a wager on the hand. Most tables have predetermined limits (minimum and maximum) for the amount you are allowed to bet, something to note before you sit down to play.
After placing your wager, you are then dealt two cards and given the option to hit or stand. Your hand may be dealt face up or face down, depending on the rules for that particular table. From there, you can take as many additional cards as you like until you "bust" (go over 21) or are satisfied with your hand.
Meanwhile, the dealer also deals himself two cards, although one is dealt face down (the "hole card"), meaning you only have partial knowledge of what the dealer might have when deciding whether to hit or stand with your hand.
While you are free to keep hitting or to stand with whatever hand you like -- that is, unless you go over 21 and "bust" -- the dealer is restricted somewhat. Once you've decided to stand with a hand, the dealer turns over his hole card and will continue to hit until his total is 17 or greater. That means if he has a king (worth 10) and a six (worth 6), he must deal himself another card.
Some blackjack tables introduce variations with regard to how the dealer plays. For example, in some casinos dealers must hit on a "soft 17" -- that is, a 17 that includes an ace which can be worth either 1 or 11.
Determining a Winner
As mentioned, the object is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, while achieving a total that exceeds that of the dealer. If you keep hitting and bust before the dealer has taken his turn, you lose. If you stand and the dealer deals himself a better hand, you also lose. But if you stand and the dealer deals himself a worse hand, you win.
For example, say you're dealt a jack (worth 10) and a four. You decide to hit and are dealt a six. You then decide to stand with 20 (10 + 4 + 6). The dealer has a king showing (worth 10) and turns over his other card, a five. Since his total is less than 17, he has to hit. He deals himself a queen (worth 10) and thus goes over 21 -- he "busts" and you win.
A winning hand generally earns the equivalent of your bet. Thus if you bet £10 on the previous hand, you'd get back £20.
However, if you win by making "blackjack" -- that is, making 21 in your first two cards (an ace plus a face card or 10) -- you get back more than twice your bet. Most casinos award you 3:2 on your money in this case so, if you bet £10 and are dealt a blackjack hand, you would get back £25.
It's also worth noting that a blackjack hand (sometimes called a "natural") actually beats a hand requiring more than two cards to total 21.
Finally, if you and the dealer end with hands of equivalent value, that results in a "push" meaning you get your wager back.
There are further decisions to make in blackjack, but understanding card values and how to bet, hit, and stand can get you started enjoying one of the world's most popular card games.