The Object of the Game, the Deck, the Number of Players
Blackjack is a popular game that has been in casinos and gambling halls around the world for over three hundred years now. The goal of the game is simple: You and your fellow players have to go up against the dealer in the hopes that you will be able to score a “21” (or as close to it as possible) without going over the number. While anyone can pick up Blackjack, it takes a true understanding of the game (and its timing / probabilities) to become a true master.
The rules of Blackjack are simple: Players are initially given two cards from the dealer, face up. Using a combination of the “2” through “10” cards (which are representative of their numeric values) a Jack, Queen or King (each worth “10”) or an Ace card (worth “10” or “1”, depending on the need), players essentially try to build a set as close to “21” as possible, without going over.
The “opponent” is the dealer (aka, the house, or casino), who is also trying to get as close to 21 as possible. If, at the end of the game, the dealer has an 18, and the player a 19, the player wins. It is important to note that players do NOT play against each other – they only play the dealer (so it is very possible for the entire table to win. You can always tell which table that is, as it becomes rather loud!)
The deck is a standard 52 card deck. In a game with a full amount of players, anywhere from six to eight decks of cards are used in order to keep people from predicting what cards have yet to be played (i.e.: card counting.) The cards are shuffled together and combined in a box called a “shoe”, which holds and dispenses the cards for play.
A standard Blackjack table can seat up to six players. To play, each player must make their initial bet, by placing their wager. As the cards are dealt, each player hopes to get that elusive “21”. When a player gets a “21” with their first two cards, it is considered a “Blackjack”, and is an automatic win for the player (unless the dealer has the same.)
After the initial cards are dealt, the player must decide to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (not take any more). Going over 21 is a bust, so be careful when you have that 12 showing. Especially since, in most variants, the dealer MUST hit if they do not have 17 or better. You win if you stand on a 12 and the dealer busts (neat, huh?)
As you can see, Blackjack is a solid, easy to understand competition between players and the house - it’s a game that emphasizes control, timing, skill, and in some cases, a little bit of luck. And it’s a great game, because no matter the size of the game, as a player, you are always guaranteed a fun and exciting time.
