To all who are sitting at the table is dealt two cards, including the dealer. The goal is to beat the dealer by getting to create a higher hand than yours, without exceeding 21 points. The total of a hand is the sum of the values of its constituent letters. Number cards have numerical equivalents. The cards are worth all ten, and Aces can be worth one or eleven, depending on the hand and the Player.

If you are dealt a natural or a combination of 21-value cards, then you will pay 3 to 2 on your initial bet. After observing the value of their hands, players must decide whether or not they want to take another card, stand and stay as they are, double down, split, fold or make a bet or "safe."

ORDER

If you ask, you deal one additional card that will add to the value of your hand.

STAND

DIVIDE

The divisions occur when you are dealt a pair or couple. When the first two letters are a couple, you can divide your current hand into two separate hands. Each hand must be accompanied by a bet equal to your original bet. (Tip: Never divide letters with the numbers 10, 4 or 5. Divide always Aces and 8).

DOUBLE

Doubling means doubling your bet. In this situation, announce that you intend to bend and you hand out only one additional card.

RETIRE

Some casinos allow players to retire. If you believe you have been dealt a bad hand, you can minimize your losses, give up half your bet and fold together.

SAFE BET

The safe bets are safe or simply a bet that is made when it is suspected that the dealer is about to get a natural. If the dealer's first card is an ace you will be offered the option of paying insurance before any further play. (Hint: It's a good idea to avoid safe bets because the odds that the dealer will touch a very low natural).

Knowing what action to take and when is the secret to becoming a successful blackjack player. In blackjack, the dealer does not have a strategy. Simply follow the house rules. Players have choices, and decisions will be based on the letters they receive and the value of the dealer's visible card.

Skilled blackjack players must abide by the so-called basic strategy. The basic strategy is a set of rules that mathematically increases the chances of winning. The basic strategy is a method that improves with time. If you are determined to be perfected in blackjack, you should invest in a basic strategy table. Once you've practiced to death your basic strategy, you're ready to get your hands dirty in a real table. Remember that the basic strategy is different whether a single deck games or many.