Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Much of blackjack's popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill, and the publicity that surrounds card counting (keeping track of which cards have been played since the last shuffle). Blackjack's precursor was vingt-et-un ("twenty-one"), which originated in French casinos around 1700, and did not offer the 3:2 bonus for a two-card 21.

When blackjack was first introduced in the United States it was not very popular, so gambling houses tried offering various bonus payouts to get the players to the tables. One such bonus was a 10-to-1 payout if the player's hand consisted of the ace of spades and a black Jack (either the Jack of clubs or the Jack of spades). This hand was called a "blackjack" and the name stuck to the game even though the bonus payout was soon abolished. As the game is currently played, a "blackjack" may not necessarily contain a jack or any black cards at all.

General Rules
The object of Blackjack is to beat the dealer with a hand of cards that does not exceed 21. Blackjack is played between a dealer and a single player, who may play up to three hands. The game is usually played with six decks of cards.

A hand's value is the sum of its' cards:

1. Face cards (10, J, Q, K) count as 10
2. Aces count as either 1 or 11, whichever gives the player the highest total without busting.
3. All other cards count as their face value

Once you place your bets, play begins. Both you and the dealer receive two cards. The player's cards are always face up, with the dealer's first card being dealt face down and the dealer's second card being dealt face up. The dealer's first face-up card is called the upcard. The face down card belonging to the dealer card is known as the hole card.

You can continue to draw cards (hit) until you want to stop drawing (stand) until the hand goes over 21, called a bust. You can hit or stand on any card total below 21.

After you have completed your turns, the dealer must draw cards as long as his or her total is less than 17 and may hit on soft 17.

Winning/Losing
You win your bet by beating the dealer's hand without busting, or by the dealer busting if you have not busted first. If the first two cards you receive total 21 (Blackjack) , and the dealer does not have Blackjack, you win immediately, and are paid 3:2 on your bet. If you and the dealer both have Blackjack it is a push.

If you bust, or the dealer's hand is greater than yours, you lose your bet.

If you tie the dealer, it is called a push, and neither side wins.

Doubling Down
After being dealt your first two cards, you may have the opportunity to double down. This will double your bet, and you will be dealt one and only one additional card to complete your hand.

Splitting Pairs
You can split pairs into two separate hands, with your original bet in effect for each hand. Thus, it effectively doubles the amount of money on the line. You then proceed to play each hand independently, requesting cards or standing, as desired. You can win, lose, or bust with either or both hands.

Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, insurance will be offered. Insurance is actually a type of secondary bet; you are betting that the dealer has a Blackjack.

The insurance bet equals one half the amount of your original wager. The dealer will then check the hole card to see if it's a Blackjack. If the dealer does indeed have a Blackjack, you are paid off at 2 to 1. However, you also lose your original bet (if you do not have Blackjack), effectively making the hand a push.

If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, you lose the insurance bet and play continues as normal.