Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world, simply because it seems so simple. After all, what could be easier than hitting twenty-one on a hand of the game? However, this seeming simplicity is deceptive, and has led to many a player losing their shirt at the blackjack tables.

In blackjack, players are initially dealt two cards. If one player's cards add up to twenty-one or a value close to twenty-one such nineteen or twenty, then he wins. If not then the players may ask for additional cards until a player reaches twenty-one or close to it or exceeds twenty-one (in which case the player is 'busted' and is out of the round).

In casino play, the players play against the dealer. They first place their bets in the betting box and then receive their first two cards. A player wins if he gets a higher total than the dealer but without exceeding twenty-one. The king, queen and jack cards are worth ten; the ace may be either one or eleven, depending on the player's choice. A player may ask to receive additional cards or stay with his hand; then, the dealer plays his hand. If a player busts, he is out; if the dealer busts, he loses to the players still in the game. If no one busts, then the winner is the player with the highest card count. If a player's card count ties with that of the dealer, his hand is considered a 'push' and his bet is returned.

There are four moves a player can make in a round: he can ask to be hit, meaning be dealt another card; stand or stay, meaning he will take no more cards and stay with his hand; double-down, in which a player, after receiving his first two cards, can double his initial bet but can receive only one more card from the dealer; and split a pair, in which a player with two cards of the same value can split them into two separate bets. The dealer then deals two more cards to make two hands. Some casinos may also allow a player to surrender, in which a player may give up half his bet and not play his hand.

The basic strategy for playing blackjack is a bit complicated, since the player decides his next move based on his current hand, the dealer's face up card (during play, one of the dealer's two cards is face up). For example, if you have a hand of 16 and the dealer's face up card is between 2 to 6, then you should stand. If the dealer's face card is higher, then you should hit or surrender, if the casino offers that option. You can download such strategy tables online and study them carefully before you play. They do not guarantee 100% success but they will certainly help improve your odds of winning.