What are some must-know rules for blackjack beginners?

Second, you need to aim for a total of twenty-one points without going over. Aces are special – they can count as both 1 and 11. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are all ten, and the remaining cards are worth their face value.

First a couple simple moves: hit (draw another card), stand (stay with what you’ve got), double down (double your bet and draw once), and split (if you have two cards with the same value, separate them into two hands). Learn when to do what.

Don't insure anything unless you are counting cards. Insurance is never good value, but it might be worth buying if the count is high. Dealer must hit any total that is 16 and below and must stand on 17.

Firstly, bring some cash (no, not a credit card!). Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Never try to chase down your losses. Use those basic strategy charts for as long as you can. And last but not least: take your time; don’t rush your choices. It’s easy to play blackjack, but rather difficult to master it.

Learn the value of your hands (aces count as one point or eleven points; face cards have a value of ten), when to hit (anything less than seventeen is bad) and stand, how and when to split pairs (do it only if you are dealt matching aces or eights), and don’t double down with a low-value hand. Never play against the house’s known hand, which automatically hits on any number less than 16. And always bet within your means.

Second, play correctly. The goal of blackjack is to get closer to 21 points than the dealer without exceeding that number. Cards count at face value; aces may count as either one or eleven. Always take into account the dealer’s upcard when deciding whether to hit, stand, split (double) a pair, or double your original bet. Study a basic strategy chart, and stick religiously to its advice – always. Never buy “insurance” bets. Never chase lost bets. Understand that while the casino has the edge, if you play skillfully, that edge is small. Blackjack is a game for rational players who want to maximize their enjoyment of it. I guarantee you that playing this way will make you a much happier gambler.