Blackjack is a fairly simple game to play, with very few rules, and varying degrees of strategy depending on the experience level of the player. A brand new Blackjack player could probably learn the basics of the game in 10 minutes, which is good enough to sit at any table and not annoy the other players –players who make wrong decisions, even though they are only hurting themselves, will drive seasoned blackjack players crazy!

Some players understand that the dealer’s up-card is as important as their own cards, while other players simply try to get as close to 21 as possible without going over –the first strategy is the correct one by the way!

So here is a look at the basic game-play of Blackjack.

The first thing you need to know is the point value of each card:

• Cards 2 – 9 are worth the face value of the card
• 10’s are worth 10 points
• All Face-Cards –Jacks, Queens, and Kings—are worth 10 points
• Aces can be worth 11 points or 1 point, at the discretion of the player (A player can also change the value of an Ace at any point in the hand)

Once each player has received their two cards they must make the determination of whether to hit or stand. This decision should be based entirely on the total point value of your two cards compared to the dealer’s up-card. The dealer will ask players in turn whether they would like to hit or stand, beginning with the “One-Hole” –the player at the rightmost corner of the table—and continuing on until the final player has made their decision.

Players can “hit” –receive an additional card– as many times as they wish so long as their total does not exceed 21; known as “busting”. Once a player decides to “Stand” –play the cards they have—or busts their turn is over. Once you stand that is it, you will not get another chance to hit later in the hand.

*Players also have the option of surrendering, doubling-down, splitting certain hands, and taking insurance in certain situations. For more on these strategies you can visit our blackjack strategy guide.*

Once each player has made their choice the dealer will then reveal their down-card and will play by a predetermined set of rules regardless of what the players in the game point total is –even if all of the players are showing 15 and lower the dealer still has to hit a 16. You can find these rules and guidelines in our blackjack rules section.