Blackjack is probably the most widely played card game in Casinos around the world. It comes from the old British card game “Twenty One”, or “Vingt-un” and is part of the same card game family as Pontoon.

Blackjack is played with 52 cards and players do not compete with each other, but against a dealer at a Blackjack table. A blackjack table is usually semi-circular where the dealer sits behind and faces between 5 to 9 player positions.

The aim of the game is for each participant to score a sum total value of 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21 (bursting).

Before each deal players will place a bet and once all bets are made, the dealer will then place the player cards left to right, with two cards dealt to each player and the dealer. Cards are dealt face up so that everyone can see all the values across the table. The dealer’s cards however are normally 1 up, 1 down.

Players must then essentially opt to receive more cards (“hit me”) or stick with their hand with the goal being to get as close to, without going over, a score or 21. There’s no maximum number of cards you’re allowed to take.

Once all players have decided to stick or busted out, the dealer will then play their hand. If the dealer busts out, all players with a hand of 21 or less will win.