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Beat the dealer, not the table
Blackjack is a card game played between you and the dealer. The goal is simple: get a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over. Other players at the table are irrelevant — you are only ever playing the dealer's hand.
The Short Version
- You are dealt two cards face up. The dealer gets one up, one down.
- Number cards are worth their value, face cards are worth 10, and an ace is 1 or 11.
- You choose to hit (take a card) or stand (keep your total).
- Go over 21 and you bust — you lose immediately.
- The dealer then plays, and must hit until reaching 17 or more.
- Closest to 21 without busting wins.
Card Values
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| 2 through 10 | Face value (2–10) |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11, whichever helps you |
What is a "blackjack"?
An ace plus any 10-value card on your first two cards. It is the best hand in the game and typically pays 3:2 instead of even money. A dealer blackjack beats every hand except your own blackjack, which is a push (a tie).
Where to Next
Read the full rules to learn about doubling down, splitting, and insurance. Then check the basic strategy page for the mathematically correct play in every situation.