If you don’t want any more cards, say “stay” or wave your hand over the table. There’s no limit to how many cards you can ask for, but once your hand totals higher than 21, you bust and the dealer gets your bet.

If you do, say “hit” or motion toward yourself with your hand.

Otherwise, the dealer asks whether you want another card from the top of the deck. If your two face-up cards total 21, you automatically win one and a half times your bet from the dealer, and you’re done for that round. Aces can be either 1 or 10, and you can choose their value throughout the round if you have one. Cards 2 through 10 are scored using their face value, and Jacks, Queens, and Kings are all equal to 10. Everyone is dealt one more face-up card besides the dealer, whose second card is dealt face down. Then, the dealer deals 1 card face up to each player and 1 card face up to themselves. The game starts with everyone besides the dealer placing a bet. If your hand totals higher than 21, it is called a “bust”, which means you are out of the game. The goal of Blackjack is to have a hand that totals higher than the dealer’s, but doesn’t total to higher than 21.

Separate your pointer and middle finger into a “V” shape and place them on the table to let the dealer know that you’re splitting.

X Research source This rule varies by casino, though, so double-check with your dealer before you try this maneuver.

Any 2 cards with the same point value can split, like a Queen and a Jack (which are both worth 10 points).

If you end up getting a point total of 21 on one of your hands, this isn’t considered a Blackjack (in terms of payout), but it still pushes if the dealer gets a Blackjack.

If you split 2 Aces, the player can only hit each hand one time.

Even if one hand busts, you still continue playing with your other hand. Think of splitting as just giving yourself an extra turn for the round-each hand is separate from the other. Place the same number of chips down for your split bet, and then ask for the dealer to “hit” each of your hands. SplittingIf your second card is identical to your first (e.g., two 8 cards), you have the option to “split” your hand into 2 separate ones.

Blackjack rules hit or stand