Blackjack Rules

In Blackjack, the objective is to try to beat the dealer by getting closer to 21.  If the total value of your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand, you win an equal amount to what you have bet.  If you have a blackjack hand, you win 3:2 times your bet (example - a $5 bet will win $7.50), as long as the dealer does not also have blackjack.  Aces have a value of either 1 or 11, face cards as 10 and the cards that are left are valued as their face numbers.  Because you can play an Ace either way, a hand with an ace is called a soft hand.

If the total of your hand is over 21, you'll bust and lose your bet.  If you have the same card total as the dealer, from 17 and up, you get your bet back in a push as neither have won.  Blackjack beats a count of 21.

The dealer must draw cards until they have at least 17 and must stand at 17 or higher.

Hit If you are not pleased with the total of your first two cards, you can draw additional card(s) until you stand or bust.  Some casinos refer to hitting as draw.
Stand If you are pleased with your first two cards, you would then stand and not draw anymore cards.
Split

Your bet is doubled and you draw only one more card.   If you have been dealt two cards and think that a third card may give you a chance to beat the dealer's hand, you can double down.

If your first two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet of equal value and drawing cards as usual.  Note that at many online casinos, if you split two aces, you get only one additional card for each hand.  When you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, this is not blackjack, it's 21.  Note that at some online casinos, you cannot split a split hand.

Insurance Insurance is not recommended and is considered a separate game/bet of its own.  When you think that the dealer has blackjack, it gives you a chance to guard your bet.  If the dealer's first card is an ace and if you think that the dealer's hole card is of value 10, you can buy insurance against dealer blackjack.  The insurance bet would be at the price of half your original bet.  If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance pays 2:1, matching the amount of your original bet.  If you have purchased insurance and the dealer doesn't have blackjack, you'll lose your insurance bet.  If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push.