Blackjack
The Object of the Game: Accumulate cards with point totals as close to 21 without going over. Face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10 points and Aces are worth 1 or 11, whichever is preferable. Other cards are simply equal to their number.
How to Win: You need to have a higher total than the dealer without
going over 21. That’s called a bust, in which case you lose automatically
(but let’s not dwell on that). The winner is whoever is closest to a total of 21 without busting. If you and the dealer tie it’s called push and no one wins.
How to Play: Before you get your cards, you place your bet. Then you’ll get two cards face up. The dealer will get one face up, one face down. At that point, you can either stick with the two cards you have or try to get closer to 21 without busting. When you’re through getting cards, the dealer turns up his down card. If he has 16 or lower, he must take another card; if he has 17 or higher, he must stay with what he has.
If you have exactly 21 with your first two cards (an Ace, plus a 10 or a face), that’s called “Blackjack” and you win automatically (yay!). Actually, Blackjack wins one and one-half times your bet (unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case you tie). If neither of you has Blackjack and neither of you has busted, it’s simply a matter of who has a higher hand. If yours is higher, you win your bet. If yours is lower, you lose (umm, let’s just move on).
Now, there’s a little more to learn, like doubling down and splitting, but this should give you a good idea of the basics. And like we said, our dealers are really nice and would love to help you out. Because after all, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourself. And if you understand how to play and hopefully win a little (or a lot), you’re more likely to enjoy yourself. Here are a few extra tips but you didn’t hear them from us: