Goal as a player of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand by either:

• Having a total that exceeds the dealer's total or
• By not going over 21 when the dealer does.

Remember a blackjack player competes only against the dealer and not against any other players.

Standard blackjack rules state following numerical values of the cards:

• 2 to 9 have face value (Example: 3 has a value of 3)
• 10, Jack, Queen, King have a value of 10
• ace can have either a value of 1 or 11

In blackjack card suit is not important, but the value of the card is important. If cards value exceeds a total of 21, it is known as “busting". If player’s first two cards total is 21, it is know as “natural blackjack”. A player can draw cards until his hand comes close to a total of 21.

But there are separate rules for the dealer and he strictly follows them. If dealer’s hand is 16 or less, he can draw a card. Else, if his hand is 17 or more, he stands. Hence a player can do anything as far as drawing and standing is concerned.

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