Blackjack is one of the oldest card games. Being one of the oldest card games around, it should not surprise you that it is also one of the most popular card games amongst casino goers and home players alike. Perfecting the game of blackjack doesn't take as much time, but gaining the confidence to play with the best of them is the hard part.

Understanding the Basics
Each player is dealt two cards face up. Your goal as the player is to create a hand that totals 21, or as close to it as possible, without going over that total. Once the cards are dealt out to each player at the table, the player decides whether or not they are satisfied with their hand. In order to beat the dealer, the player must choose whether to "Hit" or "Stand".

When to Hit
In order to win with the best hand, the player must know when to Hit and when to Stand. Generally speaking, the player will want to hit every time if their hand is below 13, and the dealers face up card is 3. Simply speaking, the dealer has no choice but to hit until their hand gets equal to or above 17. Since there is one card of the dealers face down, you are relying on the fact that the dealer will bust and leave you with a win. Even if you only have a hand of 13, it will not matter if the dealer loses.

When to Stand
If you are presented a hand from the beginning that is above or equal to 17, the player should Stand. You can still take a chance on scoring 21 but there are only 5 cards in the deck that could possibly make a blackjack, and that is very risky. This simple rule is often forgotten as the players winnings dwindle.

Splitting Your Hand
When two cards of equal value are dealt to the player, a split can occur. When the hand is split, whatever there was for the first hand, you must repeat that bet for the new second hand. You do not have to win each hand, as they now stand completely on their own. The safest split is on a pair of 8's.

Double Down
If the player is very sure of their hand, they may chose to double down. The hand will only be dealt one more card. This is another risky play that should be reserved only for the confident players. Regardless of what the dealers up card is, you may double down safely on a 11 without worry.

Playing safe is not always the best way to win at blackjack. Sometimes you need to play aggressive and take a chance. Remembering that you can not win them all is a good attitude to bring to the table. Keeping a few key facts in mind while playing can greatly help your game. As you progress in the sport of blackjack, you will soon develop your own strategy. Even if you aren't the best, just have fun.