Although multiple players can take part in a single round of blackjack, at its heart it is a 2-player game. Players are not competing against one another in blackjack, and neither are they cooperating –the only competition is the Dealer.

The aim of the game is to build up a higher points total than the Dealer without exceeding 21. You will be computing your score by adding the values of each of your cards.

The cards 2 through 10 are taken at their face value, the Jack, Queen, and King are each worth 10 points, and the Ace is worth either 1 or 11. The Deal and the Blackjack

When a game of blackjack begins, you and the Dealer will each receive 2 cards. Yours are generally dealt facing up, while the Dealer will have 1 face down, known as the Hole card, and 1 facing up.

The best possible hand that you can receive during this game is known as a Blackjack, and it is an Ace with any 10-point card. It is also sometimes referred to as a Natural 21, and you will win at once if you are dealt this hand, unless the Dealer has also received it. If you and the Dealer both have a Blackjack, you will receive a push. If only the Dealer has a Blackjack, all those not holding the same will forfeit the game.

Your Turns at the Blackjack Table

After you have had your first cards dealt, the game will go on with each player taking action in a clockwise order from the Dealer’s left-hand side. Unlike mobile real money slots, blackjack requires some knowledge of strategy, and this will come into play during this part of the game. You may keep your Hand as it is, or Stand, or you can take more cards from the deck, or Hit, 1 at a time, until either you decide that your Hand is strong enough or exceeds 21, or goes Bust.

The Dealer’s Turn During a Blackjack Game

When all of the players have finished their blackjack actions, or if 1 or more of the players decides to Stand, the Dealer will reveal his or her hidden Hole card. If all of the bets have already been settled, with players not getting Blackjacks going bust, the Dealer’s 2nd card will not be shown, and there is no Dealer turn or Showdown.

Should the Dealer not be dealt a Blackjack he will Hit or Stand depending on the value of the Hand he or she has been dealt. Unlike you, the Dealer’s actions are totally dictated by the rules: he or she must Hit if the value of the hand is less than 17. Whether or not a Dealer must Hit on a Soft 17, a Hand equalling 17 points that contains an Ace counted for 11, will vary from casino to casino.