BLACKJACK RULES

In Blackjack, the objective is to try to beat the dealer by getting closer to 21.  If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win as much as you have bet.  If you have blackjack, you win 3 to 2 times your bet (example - a $5 bet will win $7.50) , as long as the dealer does not also have blackjack.  Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and remaining cards according to their number values.  Because you can play an Ace either way, a hand with an ace is called a soft hand.

If the total of your cards is over 21, you'll bust and lose your bet.  If you have the same card total as the dealer, from 17 and up, no one wins and you get your bet back in a push.  Blackjack beats a count of 21.

The dealer must draw cards until they have at least 17 and must stand at 17 or higher.

Hit

If you are not pleased with the total of your first two cards, you can draw additional card(s) until you stand or bust.  Some casinos refer to hitting as draw.

Stand

If you are pleased with your first two cards, you would then stand and not draw anymore cards.

Double Down

If you have been dealt two cards and think that a third card may give you a chance to beat the dealer's hand, you can "double down."  Your bet is doubled and you draw only one additional card.

Split

If your first two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet of equal value and drawing cards as usual.  Note that at many online casinos, if you split two aces, you get only one additional card for each hand.  If you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, this is not  blackjack, but 21.  Also, at some online casinos, you cannot split a split hand.

Insurance

Insurance is not recommended and is considered a separate game of its own within blackjack.  When you think that the dealer has blackjack, it gives you a chance to protect your bet.  If the dealer's first card is an ace and if you think that the dealer's hole card is of value 10, you can buy insurance against dealer blackjack at the price of half your original bet. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance pays 2 to 1, matching the amount of your original bet. If you have purchased insurance and the dealer doesn't have blackjack, you lose your insurance.  If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game results in a push.

Surrender

Surrender is not offered at very many online casinos.  When surrender is available, if you are not pleased with the cards you were dealt, you may give them up and lose half of your bet.