Blackjack 

Blackjack is the casino's most popular card game. The object of the game is to have cards whose value equals or is as close to twenty-one as possible without going over. Face cards count as 10, while the Ace counts as 1 or 11, whichever the Player chooses. All other cards count as their face value. 

The Dealer starts the game by dealing a face-up card to each Player and then one to himself. A second face-up card is dealt to each Player, but the Dealer's second card (called the hold card) will be dealt face down and placed underneath his first card. If the Dealer's face-up card is an Ace, he will look at his hold card before the other Player's hands are played. If the hold card is a ten or a face card, everyone loses the hand except for ties. If the Dealer shows any other card as his top card, he will not check his hold card until all Players' hands have been played. 

If the Player feels the total of his first two cards is closer to 21 than the Dealer's, he should "stand" (not draw any more cards). If the Player feels that the Dealer can beat his total, he should "hit" (ask for additional cards). If, after taking additional cards, a Player's hand goes over 21 (or "busts"), the Player automatically loses and the Dealer collects the bet, even if the Dealer subsequently goes bust. 

After all Players have completed their hands, the Dealer draws a card on any point total of 16 or less and stands on any point total of 17 or more. If a Dealer's point count exceeds 21, he busts and all Players whose point counts are 21 or less win. Otherwise the Dealer compares his hand to each Player's point total and takes all bets from the losing hands. No money is exchanged if there is a tie. 

Blackjack Players have many options when playing their hands, while the Dealer must play by rigidly defined house rules. Here are a few of the Player's options: 

Splitting pairs If the Player is dealt two cards with an equal value, he has the option of splitting them into two separate hands. The bet on the second hand must equal the original bet. Pairs may be split up to three times (making four separate hands). Only after the first hand is completed may the second hand be played. The Player may take as many hits as he likes on both hands, unless the cards split are Aces, which allow only one hit on each card. 

Doubling down After receiving the first two cards, the Player may double his original wager and ask for only one additional card. Depending on the house rules, Players may double down on any two cards or double down after splitting a pair. If the Dealer has a Blackjack after the double or split, the Dealer collects only the amount of the original wager. 

Insurance If the Dealer's face-up card is an Ace, the Player may wager any amount up to half of his original wager that the Dealer's down card has a value of ten. If the Dealer has a Blackjack, the Player will be paid 2-1 on his insurance wager. If the card has a value other than ten, the Player loses and the Dealer takes his insurance bet. 

Normally, the Player should indicate his decision to hit or stand with hand signals. Decisions to split pairs, double down, or take insurance should be indicated out loud. The Dealer is the only person allowed to remove or alter the location of the cards. Each Player is responsible for correctly computing the point count of his hand. If you are unsure of any betting methods or etiquette, feel free to ask the Dealer, as all are happy to help the beginner learn his way around the Blackjack table.