Dealer
?
You
0
Card game vs dealer. Get closer to 21 without going over.
Standard 52-card deck. Number cards count their face value, J/Q/K count 10, and Ace counts 11 (or 1 if 11 would bust you).
You and the dealer each get two cards. One of the dealer's cards stays hidden until you stand.
Tap HIT to take another card, or STAND to stop. If you go over 21 (bust), you lose. Otherwise the dealer reveals and draws until reaching at least 17, then totals are compared. Closest to 21 without busting wins. Equal totals push (no winner).
The same deck carries over between rounds and only reshuffles when it runs low — watch the card counter, so counting cards can pay off.
Goal: win as many rounds in a row as you can.
Before any hunch, lean on basic strategy, which is just the math of when to hit. The dealer's single visible card is your compass: when it shows 2 through 6 the dealer is weak and likely to bust, so stand on any total of 12 or more and let them break; when it shows 7 through Ace the dealer is strong, so keep hitting until you reach at least 17. Always hit a soft hand (one counting the Ace as 11) up to 17, since the Ace protects you from busting.
This game's real edge is that the deck carries over and only reshuffles when low, so card counting genuinely pays. Keep a rough tally — lots of high cards still to come favours you and is the time to play boldly, while a deck drained of tens favours the dealer. Watch the card counter, and remember that streaks reward patience: take the mathematically correct stand even when a brave hit is tempting.