In this game, you are trying to draw cards that total 21, or come closer to 21 than those held by the dealer without exceeding that number. To begin, the dealer deals first card faces up, the second faces down. All face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) count as 10 each; all other cards count at face value except the Ace, which counts 1 or 11 as you decide. An Ace with any 10, Jack, Queen, or King is a Blackjack. The dealer will pay you one-and-a-half times your bet unless the dealer also has a Blackjack, in which case it is a "push" and neither wins.

If you do not have a Blackjack, you can ask the dealer to "hit" you by using a scratching motion with your fingers on the table or you can also elect to double down or split if you have the proper hand. (See "terms" for explanation.) You can purchase "insurance" at this point if the dealer's "up card" is an Ace. You may draw as many cards as you like (one at a time), but if you go over 21, you "bust" and lose. If you do not want to "hit," or you may "stand" by making a lateral waving motion. After all players are satisfied with their hands, the dealer will then turn his/her down card face up and stand or draw as necessary. The dealer must hit 16 or less. The dealer must stand on all 17's or above.

This game provides you more opportunities to play your cards:

• Split any pair three times for a total of four separate hands (except aces)
• Double down after splitting (on first two cards of the split)
• Split Aces (you receive one card to a split and cannot be split again)

Winning wagers are paid even, except for Blackjack which is paid 3 to 2.

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