Everyone in Blackjack plays against the dealer. The players are dealt two cards face down. The dealer receives his/her first card face up and the second card face down. The object of the game is to get as close as possible to 21 without going over 21. If a hand goes over 21, it is called a "bust" and the wager is lost. In 21, jacks, queens, kings and tens count as 10. An ace may be played as a one or an eleven. All other cards are played at face value.

When you receive your first two cards, you may either "stand" or "hit". When you "stand" it means you feel you are close enough to 21. If you wish to receive another card or "hit", scratch the surface of the table with your first two cards.

If your hand is less than the dealer's you lose. Ties are a standoff (or "push") and your bet remains on the table.

Should your count total 21 on your first two cards, you have a blackjack and the dealer will pay you one and a half times your wager. If the dealer also has a blackjack, it's a push.

In 21, the player has all the options. If you receive a pair in your first two cards, you may split your cards and match your original bet on your second hand . You may then take as many hits as you want. If you split a pair of aces, you will receive only one card on each of the hands. Players also have the option of increasing their wager by "doubling down." In the hand dealt versions, a player may double down if his first two cards equal ten or eleven. Turn your cards face up and increase your bet up to the amount of your original bet. The dealer will then give you another card face down.

Dealers makes no decisions on playing their hands. Dealers must hit until their hands total values specified at the table.