Any card combined with an Ace, other than a card that has a value of 10 (which would be blackjack), is considered a "soft hand". Meaning that if the player has a 3 and an Ace, it would be considered 4 or soft 14. The King, Queen, Jack and Ten have a value of 10 points each; all other cards are worth their face values.

If your first two cards total 21, then you have Blackjack. Blackjack is the highest value hand and can only win or tie.

If you are dealt any two cards other than a Blackjack, you may "stand" (no further cards are dealt to you), or "hit" (another card is dealt to you). Cards are dealt until the player stands or "busts" (exceeds 21). If you bust, you lose your bet regardless of the dealer's hand result.

After the player has finished, the dealer reveals the down card. If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, the dealer must continue to "hit" until reaching 17 or more. The dealer must stand on soft 17 and cannot take additional cards. If the dealer exceeds 21 ("bust"), and the player has stood without busting, the player wins.

When the dealer stands on 17 or greater and has a higher count than the player - the dealer wins; if the player has the higher count - the player wins. If the player and the dealer have the same totals, it's a "push" (tie) and your stakes are returned to you.

Options

Splitting
When a player is dealt two cards with equal values, they have the option of "splitting" them into two separate hands. In order to "split", the initial bet has to be matched. Each hand is then played separately. If the player splits two Aces, only one more card is dealt to each hand. A hand can only be split once.

Doubling Down
A player may double on their first two cards other than a Blackjack. When a player doubles, only one more card is dealt and the original bet has to be matched (you double your bet). Essentially, the player bets the hand can be won with one more card. You can also "double down" after "splitting" a pair.

Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player is offered "insurance". Taking insurance means the player makes a second bet (of half the original bet) that the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If this is the case, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet and the initial bet loses as it is beaten by the dealer's Blackjack. If the dealer does not have a natural Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal.

Even Money
If the player (you) has a Blackjack and the dealer's up card is an Ace, the player is offered 'even money'. Taking even money means the player will be paid 1 to 1 on the Blackjack and not 3 to 2 as normal. Taking even money means the player believes the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If the player chooses not to take even money and the dealer reveals a Blackjack, both hands tie. If no even money is taken and the dealer has no Blackjack, the player is paid at 3 to 2.

*The Dealer has none of these options.