Playing the Game
After the dealer gives each player two cards, he’ll return to first-base and start acting on each hand individually. He will point to your cards when it is your turn. If you want another card - a “hit” - you indicate by scratching the table with your hand. The dealer will not accept a verbal command because the hand signal must be given so that the security cameras can see exactly what you want to do with that hand. If you want to “stand” - take no cards - you indicate by waiving your hand, palm down. You use that motion when you’ve decided to stop taking additional cards as well.
In the hand-held game, you scrape the table with the edge of your cards to indicate you want to hit. When you’re satisfied with your hand, you slide your cards under your chips in the betting circle.
If you take a hit and that card puts your total over 21, you lose automatically. The dealer removes your cards and your chips. In the hand-held game, turn your cards over immediately if you’ve exceeded 21, so the dealer can finish your hand.
At the end of the hand, if your cards total closer to 21, you win! If the dealer’s hand is closer to 21, you lose. And if you tie the dealer - called a “push” - no one wins or loses.
After the dealer acts on the hands of all players - giving each the opportunity to hit or stand - he begins to settle the bets. If the dealer has busted, he pays all the hands that remain. If you busted during the course of the game, you’re out of luck. Only those hands that are “live” get paid.
If the dealer hasn’t busted, he will pay the winners and take the losers’ chips. If you have pushed, the dealer will rap the table with his knuckles and leave the chips where they stand. You are then allowed to increase, decrease or remove the bet.