Objective of the Game

The objective of Black Jack is to draw cards that add up to as close to 21 points as possible, without exceeding this number, while also beating the dealer's hand. The thrill of the game lies in the decision of whether to draw another card or stick with your current hand total, knowing the dealer must play by specific rules.

Basic Rules

1. Card Values:
2. Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value.
3. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points each.

4. An Ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what is more favorable for the hand.

5. Gameplay:

6. Each player and the dealer are dealt two cards at the beginning.
7. Player cards are dealt face-up, while the dealer has one card face-up and one card face-down.
8. Players decide if they want to draw another card (Hit) or stick with their current total (Stand).
9. If a player exceeds 21 points, they bust and automatically lose.

10. After all players complete their turns, the dealer reveals their face-down card and hits or stands according to set rules: the dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more.

11. Winning Conditions:

12. If the player's first two cards total 21 (an Ace and a 10-point card), they have a Black Jack, which usually beats other combinations that total 21.

13. If the player beats the dealer's hand, they win, typically with a payout of 1:1, and 3:2 if they have a Black Jack.

14. Special Situations:

15. Splitting: If a player is dealt two cards of the same rank, they can split them into two separate hands, doubling their bet in the process.
16. Doubling Down: Players can double their bet after receiving their initial two cards, but they will receive only one additional card.
17. Insurance: When the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, players may opt for insurance to protect against a dealer having Black Jack, which costs half of the initial bet and pays 2:1 if the dealer indeed has Black Jack.

Strategic Considerations

• Players should consider the dealer's face-up card when deciding whether to hit or stand. With a high-value card showing (7, 8, 9, 10, Ace), players should play more aggressively.
• There are optimal strategies for when to hit, stand, split, or double down, often guided by Basic Strategy Charts.