this game is all about the number twenty-one. The suits of the cards mean nothing; their rank is of sole importance. Two through ten are counted at their number value. Jacks, queens, and kings are counted as ten. Aces can be one or eleven, as the player prefers.

You are playing against the dealer and not against other players if you are at a multiplayer table. At first you are dealt two cards as well as the dealer is, but only one of his cards is upface. It is your decision how often you want to draw a card until you think you are close enough to 21, or until you have busted (when you have more than 21 on your hand). The dealer is obliged to draw until he has reached at least 17 and is not allowed to draw any more cards then.

If you have blackjack, which means your first two cards are an Ace and a card with the value of 10, you are getting a payout of 3:2. If the total value of your cards is higher than 21, you bust yourself and lose the hand together with your stakes. This is also the case if the dealer is closer to 21 than you, although you didn't bust. If the dealer has Blackjack and you don't, you're also losing your stakes (but not 3:2!). If the total value of your cards is identical with the dealer's cards (also in the case of 2 Blackjacks), there is no winner and you are refunded your stakes. A Blackjack always beats a 21 which consists of more than 2 cards.

These are the different options of acting:

Stand (S) - Take no more cards
Hit (H) - Take another card
Double Down (D) - Double the stakes, take one more card and then stand
Split (P) - Splits your first 2 cards so you are now playing 2 hands. Automatically doubles your stakes.
It should be mentionend that the dealer will ask you if you want to buy insurance (insurance is available) if his upcard is an Ace. This means that you can insure yourself against the dealing having Blackjack. For this purpose you are betting an amount up to half of your original bet. If the Blackjack then occurs, you are getting paid the double of your insurancy amount, but this is lost if the dealer however has not got Blackjack. It is a kind of parallel bet. But you should take notice of this: NEVER take such an insurance. It is just not worth it, because your chances of winning are bad regarding this. So always say No to it.

BlackJack Flash tutorial

Before you go and play for real money you can improve your skill by going into this tutorial and learn how to play BlackJack.