The primary objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without exceeding it. If your hand goes over 21, you “bust” and lose the game. If the dealer busts and you don't, you win.

* Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value. * Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points each. * Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, if an 11 would cause your hand to bust, it is counted as a 1 if not it is counted as a 11.

Here is how the game is played:

1. Each player, including the dealer, is initially dealt two cards. (the dealer has one faced down and the other up)
2. Players can choose to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep their current hand).
3. Players can continue to hit until they decide to stand, or until they bust by exceeding 21.
4. After all players have finished their turns, the dealer reveals their facedown card.
5. The dealer must hit until their hand reaches at least 17 points.
6. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win.
7. If the dealer doesn't bust, then the hands of all remaining players are compared to the dealer's hand, and the players with a hand larger than the dealer but lower than 22 wins.