HOW TO PLAY BLACKJACK

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Learn how to play blackjack. All face cards have a value of 10. Aces have a value of either one or 11 points; if counting the ace as 11 would put the hand over 21, count the ace as 1. Other cards are worth their face value.
After each game has been played, the used cards are shuffled back into the deck.

If the total of your cards exceeds 21, you 'bust' and lose your bet. If you have the same total as the dealer, from 17 and up, it is a push. The dealer must draw cards until he has at least 17, and must stand at 17 or higher. If the dealer gets 16, he must take another card. The dealer may not decide whether or not to draw a card based on your hand, but must follow the existing dealer rules.

When both your hand and the dealer's hand is the same, it is known as a 'push' or a tie, which results in the return of your bet. If you get Blackjack, you win automatically, regardless of what the dealer has. At other casinos, in the first case you loose and in the second you should wait the dealer and if both your hand and the dealer's hand is 21 you loose again.

The dealer will always 'draw' cards to 16 and will always stand on 17 (depending on casino rules), including a soft 17 (Ace and a 6). If the dealer busts, the game is over and you win. Once the dealer stands, the hands are compared and the hand closest to 21 is paid. The simplest way to get exactly 21 is to hold an ace and either a face card or a ten.

Here are a few more tips:

If you mimic the dealer, that is hitting all 16's, standing on 17's and never splitting or doubling, your expected loss will be 10 times worse than if you were more brave.

If you have a Pat 20 (first two cards total 20), your best bet is to have the dealer showing an 8 because if she has an Ace, 10, or 9 in the hole, you automatically win.

You must always split Aces and 8's, no matter what the dealer's up card is.

When you get an Ace on your first card, your advantage over the house is an incredible 52%.

Always remember that when playing blackjack in casinos that it is always you against the dealer. Try forgetting other players are around. The two variables that determine how you should play your hand are the dealer's up card and your hand. With more experience, you'll also be able to use the information of all the cards that you see on the table (yours, the dealer and your fellow players) to make a more informed decision on how much to bet and how to play the hand.