Blackjack which is also called 21 is known as one of the most liked and played casino games in the world. The goal of blackjack is simple, which is to get your cards as close to equalling 21 as you possible can without going over. You will need to avoid busting which means going over 21 and you will need to have a higher total than the dealer.

The card values depend on the actual card itself. All aces value can be 1 or 11. All face cards such as kings, queens, jacks, and tens are equal to ten. The cards that range between 2 & 9 are valued at exactly whatever their number shows. When playing blackjack the suits of the colour bare no meaning on the outcome.

The best hand you can possibly hope for is an instant blackjack which means you are dealt an ace with a face card or a ten equalling 21. The second best hand of course would be a combination of cards to equal 21.

Also you may hear someone say you have a soft hand which means you have an ace and another card that can be hit and the ace may play as 1 instead of 11. For example if the dealer is showing an 8 or 9 and your hand is ace & 6 you have what’s called a soft 17. Most people expect the dealer to have a 10 so they will probably take a hit. So instead of being 17 you could value your hand at 7 instead.

A hard hand when using the ace is when you have, an ace & 6 and you take another hit. The next card is a ten so you now have a hard 17. If the ace valued at 11 you would automatically go over your 21.
Normally blackjack is dealt almost always the same way no matter where you play. You will make your initial bets and then the dealer will deal you two cards as well as themselves. Depending on where you play both of your cards will be dealt face down so only you can see while other places deal one face up and the other down. The dealer will always have one card face down and one face up. Once you see your cards you have the option to stay which means you will not take anymore cards, hit which means you will be given at least one more card, surrender if you have automatically busted, double, pay insurance or split. Whether or not the dealer takes a card depends on what their cards equal. They must always take a hit on 16 and stay on 17.

If you have an automatic 21 then you will be paid 3 to 2. To win you must have a higher value than the dealer does. If your cards go over 21 you automatically bust and lose whatever your bet was. If the dealer has a higher value than your hand you will lose as long as they do not bust. You will push if you and the dealer have the same card values and your bet is returned to you.