Here’s a card game where the object is for you to draw cards that total 21 or come closer to 21 than the Dealer’s. All cards count at face value, except for the King, Queen and Jack which count as 10, and the Ace which counts as either 1 or 11, as you decide.

The Dealer starts the game. Every player gets two cards, face up. The Dealer gets two cards, but one card is face up and one face down - the "hole" card. Only after all players’ hands are played does the Dealer look at the "hole" card and play the Dealer’s hand. All cards are dealt from a shoe.

Once you have your two cards in front of you, you can choose to "stand" (draw no more cards), or take a "hit" (draw one or more cards) until you reach 21 or come as close as possible, However, if you go over 2’I, you "break" and automatically lose. A winning hand pays even money.

Now the Dealer turns over the "hole" card and acts on the hand according to the rules of the game. The Dealer must draw to 16 and "stand" when 17 or more is reached. At the end of the game, if your count is the same as the Dealer’s it is a "standoff" (nobody wins).

WHAT IF YOU GET BLACKJACK RIGHT AWAY?

In the event your first two cards are an Ace and any ten value card, the Dealer announces your hand as Blackjack. You will be paid at this time if the Dealer does not have an Ace or a ten value card as a face up card. However, if the Dealer’s face up card is an Ace or a ten value card, you will not be paid until the Dealer’s hole card is turned over. If the Dealer’s hand is Blackjack, it is a standoff. A player’s winning Blackjack is paid off at odds of 2 to 1.

In the event the player has Blackjack - 2 card 21, and the Dealer draws to 21, the Blackjack is the winning hand and will be paid at odds of 3 to 2.

In the event the player draws to 21 with more than 2 cards, the Dealer’s Blackjack is the winning hand.

BLACKJACK TERMS

SPLITTING PAIRS - If your first two cards are a pair with the same numerical value, you may split them into two hands.

You must bet the same amount as your original wager on each hand formed by splitting a pair. If the Dealer gets Blackjack, only the original wager is collected.

You must complete play on your first hand before playing your second hand. However, you may double down on each hand.

If the split pair are Aces, you will receive only one card on each. Pairs or cards with the same numerical value may only be split once. DOUBLING DOWN - After you get your first two cards, you may make an additional wager up to the original amount except when your first two cards total 21. When doubling down you draw only one additional card. If the Dealer gets Blackjack after you’ve doubled down, only the amount of the original wager is collected.

HANDLING OF, CARDS - Players are not allowed to touch the cards.

VALUE OF PLAYER’S HAND - The player is responsible for the correct count of his or her hand.

HAND SIGNALS - The player is responsible for the proper use of hand signals to indicate hit or stand. Other decisions may be made verbally.