Blackjack
- Objective: Beat the dealer's hand total. You win if your total is 21 or less and higher than the dealer's, or if the dealer 'busts' (goes over 21).
- Card Values: 2-10 = face value. King, Queen, Jack (Face Cards) = 10. Ace = 1 or 11 (whichever is more helpful).
- Setup: Each player gets two cards face up. The dealer gets two cards: one face up and one face down (the 'hole card').
- Blackjack: If your first two cards are an Ace and a 10-value card, you have 'Blackjack' and are usually paid 3:2 on your bet (unless the dealer also has Blackjack, which is a 'push' or tie).
- Player's Turn: Choose an action: 'Hit' (take another card) or 'Stand' (take no more cards and end your turn).
- Busting: If your hand total exceeds 21, you 'bust' and immediately lose your bet.
- Other Options: 'Double Down' (double your bet, take exactly one more card, then stand) or 'Split' (if your first two cards are a pair, you can split them into two separate hands, placing an equal bet on the new hand).
- Dealer's Turn: After all players finish, the dealer reveals their hole card. The dealer *must* hit until their hand total is 17 or higher, at which point they *must* stand.
- Winning: If the dealer busts, all remaining players win. Otherwise, your total is compared to the dealer's. Higher hand wins. A tie is a 'push' (your bet is returned).