Get closer to 21 points, without going over, than the dealer to win!
Get dealt a higher hand than the dealer, without going bust. That is to say your hand must be 21 points or less, but higher than the dealers hand. Suits do not have any relevance in blackjack. All cards are worth their face value(e.g. the 3 of Spades is worth 3 points), with the exception of the following:J,Q & K = 10 pointsA = 1 or 11 points(whichever suits your hand)
A score of 21 made up from exactly 2 cards is called a 'blackjack.' This is the ultimate hand, and beats every other hand except another 'blackjack.' If you have a 'blackjack' and the dealer has scored 21 but from more than 2 cards, you still win, as he doesn't have a blackjack(which must comprise of exactly 2 cards). Obviously the only way to have a b'blackjack' is to be holding a card worth 10 points(10,J,K,Q) and an A(which you will choose to count as 11 points).Example of a blackjack(21 points from exactly 2 cards)You must place a bet before any cards are dealt to play. You then get 2 cards face up. The dealer also gets 2 cards(but only 1 is face up). Look at the total score of your 2 cards. Remember, you have to get as close to 21 without going over, but also beating the dealer. You have a clue as to how the dealer is going to fare, because you can see 1 of his cards. You can now 'hit' - that is to say take another card, or 'stand' - stick with what you have. You can 'hit' as many times as you want, but if you go over 21 the dealer wins automatically, without having to draw any cards. When you have decided not to not take any further cards, and your total is 21 or under, the dealer then reveals his face down card. If his hand now has a score of 17 or more, he must 'stand' - i.e. he cannot take any further cards. If his hand is 16 or less, he must 'hit' until his hand has a score of 17 or more. If the dealer goes 'bust' whilst doing this, you win!If you win, you get back your stake, plus the same amount again(i.e. 1 to 1 or evens). If you get a 'blackjack' you get paid your stake, plus ½ times this again(i.e. 3 to 2). However, if the dealer also gets a 'blackjack' when you do, this is called a 'push'. Nobody wins or loses, and you get your stake back. |
