However, if the dealer doesn’t bust, only the players whose hands are higher than the dealer’s win twice their bet. If the dealer busts, every player that’s still in that round wins twice their bet. If it’s 17 or higher, they have to stay with their hand. If it’s 16 or under, they have to take another card. Once the dealer has gone around the table, they flip up their face-down card. If you don’t want any more cards, say “stay” or wave your hand over the table. There’s no limit to how many cards you can ask for, but once your hand totals higher than 21, you bust and the dealer gets your bet. If you do, say “hit” or motion toward yourself with your hand. Otherwise, the dealer asks whether you want another card from the top of the deck. If your two face-up cards total 21, you automatically win one and a half times your bet from the dealer, and you’re done for that round. Aces can be either 1 or 10, and you can choose their value throughout the round if you have one. Cards 2 through 10 are scored using their face value, and Jacks, Queens, and Kings are all equal to 10. Everyone is dealt one more face-up card besides the dealer, whose second card is dealt face down. Then, the dealer deals 1 card face up to each player and 1 card face up to themselves. The game starts with everyone besides the dealer placing a bet. If your hand totals higher than 21, it is called a “bust”, which means you are out of the game.

The goal of Blackjack is to have a hand that totals higher than the dealer’s, but doesn’t total to higher than 21.

If the dealer's hand goes sour, you have already given up.

Once you have 'surrendered' your hand, the dealer's actions are unimportant (to you).

Splitting Aces is advantageous, but understand this: You are only allowed to split Aces once (sometimes), and you can only take one card for each new hand (sometimes.) Some casinos did this because splitting Aces, without any restriction, is a great advantage. Splitting 8's will change probable losers to probable winners. X Research source Here are some rules of thumb: Never split 5's - your total is 10 you are likely to end strong.

Splitting can turn an excellent hand into a terrible one, and vice versa.

In fact, that is what the casino is counting on! Never double down if the dealer is an ace or a face card (unless you have 11). X Research source You may not like the hand you end up with.

When doubling down, you only get one card.

The best time to make an insurance bet is when the count is (whatever you found it to be.) If the dealer turns out to have a blackjack, you will have a 'push' (tie) with the dealer your insurance bet will pay 2-1 which pays better than the original bet of 3-2! You have less than a 1 and 3 chance of it paying. There are 13 potential ranks of cards in the deck.

When making an insurance bet, X Research source you are betting that the dealer's hole card is a 10, Jack, Queen or King.

All of the extra actions favor the house when used incorrectly - it wouldn't be a casino game if the opposite were true! Recognize the implications of insurance, splitting, doubling down and surrender. Early surrender is when you opt out of half your bet before the dealer checks for a blackjack on their behalf.

When the dealer has an ace, he or she automatically checks to see if a blackjack is had.

X Research source Surrender is only desirable when the dealer is showing a 9-A, and the player has a 5-7 or 12-16.

Surrender: In many casinos, you can (before playing and after determining if the dealer has a blackjack) choose to give up half of your bet without playing.

Split the hands by separating the cards and placing a duplicate bet. If both hands lose, you lose double the money. If both of your hands win, you get double the amount of money. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are usually counted as 10 each.

Split: Make two hands from one hand, if both cards are the same value.

This is generally only used when your initial two cards equal 8-11 or soft 12 to soft 19.

Double Down: You double your bet, and get only one more card.

You lose your other bet (which would pay 1-1) but win the insurance, resulting in breaking even. You place a new bet that will then pay at 2-1 if the dealer does indeed have a blackjack.

Taking insurance: This is only available when the dealer is showing an ace.

There are also a few extra possibilities you can use for certain hands:.

Stand: Keep your current cards and do nothing.

You are able to hit until you go over 21.

Learn your choices: There are two basic options when it's your turn: X Research source

Blackjack cheatsheet