One of the best things about blackjack is that the game is almost universal. By that I mean that once you know the game you can play just about any variation quite easily, anywhere. The basic black jack rules don’t normally change, with the exception of maybe blackjack tournament rules and some minor adjustments that players in Las Vegas and land based casino players are accustomed to. If you play blackjack in casinos, just look for the posted rules, as they can vary slightly at each casino.

Basic Blackjack Rules

The object of blackjack is perhaps the easiest of all casino games, to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. One of the other benefits of blackjack is that even if you have other players at the table with you, your only opponent is the dealer and not other players.

• A card is dealt to all players face up and one to the dealer face down, otherwise known as the “hole” card. Then another card is dealt face up to all players including the dealer.
• Then from the player to the left of the dealer, each player decides whether or not to “hit” or draw more cards. The decisions in this game are few. You must simply consider your cards and the cards of the dealer. If you go over 21 you “bust”, or in plain terms you lose!
• After all players have completed their hands, the dealer draws cards to finish their hand and all cards are exposed. You win if your total is higher than the dealers total or if the dealer goes “bust”, over 21. If your total is the same as the dealer, it is considered a “stand-off” and nobody wins or loses. If you go over 21 or the dealer beats your hand, you lose.

The rules for playing blackjack are not complicated. One of the biggest variations lies in whether or not the dealer has to hit or stand on a soft 17. The other two blackjack rules that tend to vary, especially in Las Vegas casinos are the rules governing splitting and doubling.

Depending on the official blackjack rules at the location you are playing at, splitting may be permitted when your first two cards are of equal value. These cards can be split, creating two or three hands. You will then receive an additional card for each hand, however a wager equal to your original bet must be placed each time you split. Doubling is allowed in many cases when your first two cards equal 9, 10 or 11, without aces. You are dealt an additional card when you double as well.