How to Play 21: A Beginner's Guide If you're looking for a fun and challenging card game to play with friends, look no further than 21. Also known as Blackjack, 21 is a popular casino game that has gained popularity worldwide. The objective is simple: you want to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Here's a beginner's guide on how to play 21. The game is typically played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Each card has a value corresponding to its number, with face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) worth 10 and Ace being either 1 or 11, depending on the player's choice. The dealer and each player are initially dealt two cards. To start, you must place your bet. Once all bets are made, the dealer will distribute the cards clockwise, starting with the player to their left. The dealer will deal themselves two cards as well, with one card facing up and the other facing down. The player's objective is to get a hand value that's higher than the dealer's, but not exceeding 21. After the initial deal, each player takes turns deciding whether to "hit" or "stand." To "hit" means requesting another card from the dealer, while to "stand" means sticking with the current hand. If a player's hand is worth 21 with just two cards – an Ace and a 10-value card – they have a Blackjack and automatically win, usually receiving a higher payout. However, if a player's hand exceeds 21, they "bust" and automatically lose. After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their facedown card. The dealer must follow a specific set of rules, usually hitting on a hand value of 16 or less and standing on 17 or higher. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win. If a player's hand is higher than the dealer's and does not exceed 21, they win an amount equal to their initial bet. If the player's hand value matches the dealer's, it results in a push, and the player neither wins nor loses their bet. 21 is a game of strategy and skill. Understanding the basic rules and knowing when to hit or stand is crucial to your success. So gather some friends, place your bets, and enjoy the thrilling game of 21!