Knowing how to play blackjack includes understanding the
rules for the players and the dealers. These rules are
different for each, and the dealer has much less flexibility
when making decisions than the player does.
Each player and the dealer are dealt two cards. The
dealer always receives one card face up and one card
face down.
Scoring is based on a point total based on the cards'
ranks. Suits are irrelevant.
Cards are worth their face value, except for aces and
face cards. Aces are worth one OR eleven, while all
face cards count as ten. Hands with an ace in them are
called "soft" hands; cards without an ace,
or cards where an ace MUST be counted as "one"
to avoid going bust are called "hard hands".
The goal of the game is to beat the dealer by having
a higher point total than the dealer while not "busting
out".
Any total over 21 is considered a "bust"
and is an automatic loss.
A two hand total of 21 is considered a blackjack and
usually pays out at 3 to 2, but sometimes pays out at
6 to 5. A winning hand pays even money, a losing hand
results in a loss for the player, and a tie is called
a "push", which simply returns the player's
bet.
Player Options in 21
The player has the following decisions available:
Hitting - A player "hits" his hand by deciding
to take additional cards from the dealer.
Standing - A player "stands" when he decides
to stop taking cards and take the total he currently
has.
Splitting - A player can "split" two cards
that are of the same rank into two playable hands by
putting up another bet for the new hand, and the dealer
gives the player a new card on each of the new, split
hands.
Doubling down - A player doubles down by taking one
card and standing while simultaneously doubling his
bet on the hand. No matter what the additional card
is, the player can't ask for more cards.
Surrendering - A player "surrenders" by
forfeiting half his bet and ending the hand immediately.
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