We usually play a single-deck face-up game. Two cards are dealt face-down to each player. The dealer receives two cards, one down and one up. The object is to have a better hand than the dealers without going over 21. Aces count as 1 or 11; face cards count as 10.
After looking at your cards you may “hit” to draw more. Give the dealer a little scratch with your finger on the table to signal you want to hit. If you are satisfied with your cards, “stand” or “stay”; wave your hand over your card games. If you’ve gone over 21, you “bust”; the dealer will take your bet and cards. The dealer will hit if they have 16 or less. The dealer will also hit on Soft 17, an Ace used as an 11 with 6 more, e.g. A 6, or A A 5. The dealer will stand on Stiff 17 or better. If the dealer busts, they will pay the table, as long as you didn’t bust first.
Blackjack
If your first two cards are an Ace with a 10 (or a face card), this is Blackjack, a natural winner. You will be paid 3 to 2, unless the dealer has Blackjack also, which results in a push. Still, they will check to see if they’ve Blackjack If the dealer has a 10showing. However, they will show their hand and everyone will lose, except players who also had Blackjack; they will push If they do.
Insurance and Even Money for Blackjack
If the dealer has an Ace showing, they will also check for Blackjack. But before they do, you will have an opportunity to take insurance. Insurance is a bet that the dealer has Blackjack. The insurance bet may be up to half of your initial bet and will be paid 2 to 1 if the dealer has Blackjack. If the dealer doesn’t have Blackjack, then you will lose the insurance bet, and play out the hand.
Still, you may conclude to be paid indeed plutocrat anyhow of what the dealer has If the dealer has an Ace caching and you have blackjack games. This is the same as taking insurance. Or you could opt not to take insurance nor even money, and hope the dealer doesn’t have Blackjack; then you’ll be paid 3 to 2.
Double-Down
If your first two cards total 10 or 11, you may (up to) double your bet and receive only one card face down. Let’s hope it’s a 10, to make 20 or 21!
Splitting
If your first two cards have the same value, e.g. 8 8 or J K, you may double your bet, and split these cards to start two separate hands. If you split Aces, you will only receive one card each face-down. If you split any other hand, you may draw as many cards as you like. You must play one hand before continuing to the next. If the second card on one of the hands gives you another pair, you may split them again, up to four separate hands.