How to Play (and Win) at Blackjack: The Expert’s Guide

The main objective of playing at Blackjack is to beat the dealer. How do you beat the dealer? Basically, it’s by getting closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21. This is where the game got his name, 21. How do you lose at the game? One, you lose when the dealer gets closer to 21 than you. Two, when you go over 21.

In blackjack, the two through 10 are usually their point value. Therefore, a two is worth two points and a 10 is worth 10 points. A Jack, Queen, and King are also worth 10 points. An Ace is unique and it can be a 1 or an 11, whichever is best for the hand.

How Blackjack is dealt

Both the player and the dealer get two cards but the dealer shows only one card and the other card is kept face down. To start the game, the player goes first and they have the option to stay or take more cards. The goal is to get closer to 21 than the dealer and not over 21.