Rules

Blackjack can use up to eight card decks per game. Several casinos also use machines of continuous shuffling. When one or two decks are used, the dealer will hold the cards. He also deals them. When it comes to games with multiple decks, the cards will get dealt from a box known as the shoe.

When the games are handheld, the cards will be dealt with the faces down. This means that players can pick up their cards. However, in shoe games, the cards will be dealt with the faces up, so they cannot be touched. Basic play is exactly the same for both, though.

The game's goal would be to beat your dealer. If the cards that you have are equal to a total greater than that of your dealer without exceeding 21, you will be declared the winner. You shouldn't try to just be near 21, though, since a hand that exceeds that number will bust. Busts are automatic losses. If your dealer ends up busting while you don't, you will be declared the winner. You get to act first at all times and if you bust, you lose, no matter what the dealer holds.

The Card Values

Card suits do not affect the game in anyway. Any card from 2 to 10 will count as its own face value, regardless of suit. Every face card counts as 10. Aces count as 1 or 11. A 5 and a Queen would therefore total to 15, but a 5 and an Ace could either total to 16 or 6. A hand without an Ace can also be called the hard hand since it can only have one value. Conversely, a hand with an Ace can also be called the soft hand since its value is changeable.