blackjack

Blackjack is a comparing card game played between one or more players and a dealer. The game typically uses one or more standard 52-card decks. The object is to have a hand total of 21 or to have a total higher than the dealer's without exceeding 21; otherwise the player busts and loses.

Card values: numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards and tens are worth 10, and aces can count as 1 or 11 depending on what is more favorable for the hand.

Play: Each player receives two cards; the dealer receives one card face up and one face down. Players may request additional cards (hit) or stop (stand). They may be allowed to double down (double the bet for one more card) or split pairs into two hands if the first two cards have the same value. If a player busts, they lose immediately. After players act, the dealer reveals the hole card and must follow a set rule, typically hitting until reaching 17 or more; soft 17 rules vary by casino.

Special bets: If the initial two cards total 21, a blackjack, the hand usually pays 3:2 unless the dealer also has blackjack, which results in a push. Insurance bets are optional when the dealer shows an ace; they are a separate side bet and typically not favorable to the player in the long run.

Strategy and variants: Basic strategy uses a chart of optimal plays for every combination of player hand and dealer upcard, reducing the house edge to around 0.5% with standard rules; card counting can further affect odds but is discouraged by casinos. Variants include European blackjack, Atlantic City rules, Spanish 21, and multi-hand or side-bet versions.