Know the Proper Rules in Blackjack

Black Jack is a very simple game to play and its simplicity could be the main reason behind its enduring popularity. It is not clear when or who actually invented the game. Similar games were played in France in the 1700s. One version was knows as Vingt-et-un, which is French for "21." The game traveled to North America with French colonists and spread throughout the continent. It evolved over time, and continues to evolve today.

Some basic rules:

In blackjack, the suits have no meaning. Number cards have a value equal to their number, while all the picture cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are worth 10. Aces can be worth 11 or one, whichever is more beneficial to the person holding the hand. For example, a hand with an Ace and an Eight is worth 19 (the Ace is valued at 11, known as a soft Ace). A hand with an Ace, a Four, and a Nine is worth 14 (the Ace is valued at one, known as a hard Ace).

In a single or double deck game, the dealer shuffles a deck of playing cards and one player cuts the deck. Before the first card is dealt, the dealer will 'burn' (discard) the top card and then begin to deal one card at a time per player (including themselves) starting from their left. Each player sitting at the table gets dealt a total of 2 cards face down. The dealer's second card (at most tables) will be dealt face up.

The object is to get a hand with a value as close to 21 as possible without going over. A hand that goes over 21 is a bust. The players at a blackjack table do not play against each other; they play against the dealer. Each player only has to beat the dealer's hand. If the player's hand is not that high, they can opt to 'hit' (request an additional card or cards), or 'stay' (keep the hand that they have). If a player is dealt a sum of 10 or 11, they may also opt to 'double down' (place their hand face up and double their wager).

When a player 'doubles down', they are dealt only one more card faced down. Since Black Jack is played against the dealer; the player's goal is to achieve a higher hand than the dealer. To keep the game going smoothly small number counting skills should be exercised.