In Blackjack the aim of the game is simple, you try to beat the Dealer by accumulating a card value total close to, but not over, 21 points.

Basic Play:

All face cards are worth 10, Aces are worth either 1 or 11, and all other cards are worth their face value. A Blackjack occurs when the card value total of a hand's first two cards sums to 21 by getting an Ace and a 10-value card.

If your first two cards form a Blackjack, then you are a guaranteed winner.

If you do not have a Blackjack, then you are given the opportunity to try to improve the outcome of your hand. Depending on the cards you hold, you may choose one of the following options:

• HIT - You request an additional card. You can continue to request additional cards until you decide to stand or until your card value total is 21 (automatic stop) or until you bust by receiving a card that causes your card value total to exceed 21. If you bust, then you've lost that hand and your bet.
  
  
• STAND - You request no further cards and play this hand against the Dealer's hand.
  
  
• SPLIT - If the first two cards in a hand are of the same value (except 4s, 5s and 10s), you may split your cards into two separate hands and place an additional bet equal to the original bet and continue to play two hands.
  
  
• DOUBLE DOWN - If the first two cards in a hand total 9, 10 or 11, you may DOUBLE to automatically double your original bet and receive exactly one additional card.

If the Dealer's hand is a Blackjack, then all bets are lost, and the game ends. (The exception is when you also have a Blackjack in which case you keep your bet.)

If the Dealer's card value total exceeds 21, then the Dealer is bust. if the Dealer has the same hand as you then it is a tie and no-one wins or loses.