Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world, and it's easy to see why. It's a game that's simple to learn but can take a lifetime to master. If you're new to the game, don't worry – this how to play blackjack for beginners guide will walk you through the basics of how to play blackjack.
Understanding the Basics
Before we dive into the gameplay, let's go over some basic blackjack terminology. The objective of blackjack is to have a hand value of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, while face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) are worth 10, and aces can be worth 1 or 11, depending on which value would be more beneficial to the player.
Getting Started
To start the game, you'll need to place a bet. You can do this by placing your chips in the designated area on the table. Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each player, including themselves. One of the dealer's cards will be face-up, while the other will be face-down.
Playing the Game
Now that you have your cards, you have a few options. You can "hit" and ask for another card, "stand" and keep your current hand, "double down" and double your initial bet in exchange for one more card, or "split" if you have two cards of the same value and want to split them into two separate hands.
If your hand exceeds 21, you "bust" and automatically lose the game. The dealer will then move on to the next player. Once all players have completed their turn, the dealer will reveal their face-down card and play their hand. The dealer must hit until they reach a hand value of at least 17.
Winning and Losing
If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win! If the dealer's hand is closer to 21 than yours, or if you bust, you lose. If you and the dealer both have the same hand value, it's a "push" and you keep your bet.