Blackjack Rules
The player must wager before any cards are dealt. The dealer then starts with the player to their left and deals each player one card, face up, finishing with themselves. Everyone is then dealt a second card face-up. The dealer now starts with the player to their left. A player's turn involves taking more cards, if required, until they are happy with their total or they bust, (get more than 21). Once every player has finished the dealer plays their hand adhering to the rules as displayed on the table. Basically this means that they keep taking cards until their hand totals 17 or more. Face cards count as ten, ace counts as 1 or 11, and all other cards are counted at their face value. A blackjack occurs if the player's first two cards are an ace and a ten or face card. This is usually a winning hand, although if the dealer also has a blackjack, it is a tie. A winning blackjack pays the player three to two.
The dealer must draw on 16 and stand on 17. (Note: some casinos will alter this rule slightly)
Basic terminology
Hit or Stand - Hit means to draw another card, which the player signifies by tapping the table with his cards or a similar hand motion. Stand means that the player wants no more cards, which the player signals by placing his cards under his wager or holding his hand in a horizontal direction. If the player hits and busts (goes over 21), his wager is lost.
Double down - The player is allowed to double his original bet on his first two cards, then draw one more card.
Splitting - If the first cards a player is dealt are a pair, they may be split into two hands which are played separately. The bet on each hand must be the same amount. Aces receive only one card. After splitting, Ace-ten counts as 21, and not as blackjack.
Insurance - A bet not exceeding one-half of the original bet. When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player may take insurance. If the dealer's down card is a ten or face card, the player wins two to one. Any other card means a win for the dealer.
Surrender - To give up after the deal of the first two cards. Only one-half of the original bet is lost. Not all blackjack games offer surrender.
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