Get a hand as close to 21 as possible without going over
Each player and the dealer receive two cards
Your cards are added together to make your hand total
Number cards count as their face value
Face cards count as 10
Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever helps your hand more
You can choose to hit and take another card
You can choose to stand and keep your current hand
You lose if your hand goes over 21
The dealer must follow fixed rules for drawing cards
The dealer usually hits until reaching at least 17
If your total is higher than the dealer’s without busting, you win
If the dealer busts and you do not, you win
If your total is lower than the dealer’s, you lose
If both totals are the same, it is a push and no one wins
A first two-card total of 21 is called blackjack
Blackjack usually beats any non-blackjack 21 total
You may also be able to double down, split pairs, or surrender depending on the table rules