Learning how to play blackjack is both a fun and rewarding experience. This is a quick how-to guide for the beginning player who has never played before but is interested in learning how to play blackjack. If you've never played blackjack before, be prepared for both a fun and rewarding experience that you will never forget.

Object of Blackjack

The object of blackjack is to achieve a total that is greater than the dealer's without going over 21. If there are other players at the table, you are still only trying to beat the dealer (the casino).

Card Values

Each numbered card 10 and under, has a value equal to the number on the card. Jacks, Queens, and Kings (all of the face cards), have a value of 10. The 10 valued cards have the greatest abundance in the game of blackjack. The final card in the deck is the Ace. This card has a special value in the game of blackjack because it can count either as 1 or 11, depending on what helps your hand the most. You should learn the values of the cards when you learn how to play blackjack.

How to Play and Win at Blackjack

There are 2 ways to win at the game of blackjack. The first way to win at a blackjack table is to end up with a hand that has a total higher than the hand of the dealer without going over 21. The second way of winning at a blackjack table is for the dealer to bust, by totaling over 21. Anytime the dealer exceeds the total of 21, any player still remaining in the hand that has not busted is a winner.

The Blackjack Table

How to Play Blackjack Blackjack tables feature enough seating for 6 blackjack players. A sign at each blackjack table shows the table information including the betting limits. If the table limits are $2-$100, the minimum bet per hand is $2 and the maximum bet per hand is $100.

The Deal

The game begins after you've chosen a table, received your chips, and made your bet by placing it on the table in front of you in the betting circle. Each player receives 2 cards (usually face up) on the table. The dealer receives 1 card face up and 1 card face down.

Checking for Blackjack

"Blackjack" isn't just the name of the game; it's also the name of a specific hand of 2 cards that totals 21. Blackjack usually pays out 3 to 2 (although some casinos offer a 6 to 5 version of blackjack). If the dealer gets a blackjack, the players automatically lose unless they have a blackjack too.

If the dealer shows a face card or an ace as his face up card, he checks his hole card (the face down card) for blackjack. If he has a blackjack, he turns over his hand and removes all bets from the table.

If a player gets a blackjack, the dealer pays that player off immediately before continuing the rest of the hand with the other players.

Player Options

The rest of the game takes place after any blackjacks have been taken care of. The player closest to the left of the dealer is the first player to act.

The player has the following options while playing blackjack:

Hit - Taking another card.
Stand - Taking no more cards, your hand is set and finalized.
Double Down - Doubling your wager, taking one hit (one more card), and then standing.
Split - Doubling your wager and having each initial card be the first card in two new separate hands.
Surrender - Forfeiting half of your wager and giving up your hand right then.

You have the option of taking as many hits as you want as long as you don't go over 21. When you finally have a total you are satisfied with, you tell the dealer you're going to stand, and the game play moves along to the next player.

Dealer's Options

The dealer acts last. After all the other players' action is resolved, the dealer flips over his hole card and reveals his total. The dealer must play his hand according to the house rules. Usually the dealer must hit until he has a total of 17 or higher. If the dealer starts with a total of 17, he stands.

Getting Paid

Winning and losing is determined after the dealer finishes playing his hand. The dealer pays out all the winning bets and collects all the losing bets before the next hand begins. The player to the right of the dealer gets paid off or collected 1st, and so on around the table.

And the best way to learn how to play blackjack is with a Free Online Blackjack game.

Gambling online, including blackjack online for real money, is illegal in some jurisdictions, so be aware of the situation where you live before deciding to play.