After the cards are dealt and the bets are made all players take their turn to play the hands. Blackjack features a strong etiquette and often the player shows the next move with a special sign. Every player has several options such as: Stand, Hit, Double down, Split, Insurance and some casinos allow Surrender.

If the player thinks that his hand is good or taking another card is risky, he can choose Stand, and stay with the cards he already has.

If the player considers that his hand is not good he can Hit and he will be dealt another card. The player may continue to draw cards until he sees his score is enough good, or if he busts then he loses his bet.
The option ‘Double down’ allows the player to double his bet, he can do it if he thinks he has a high chance to win. Then he places the same amount bet as his initial one in the betting area. It is possible to double down only when the first 2 cards are given and there isn’t any other play announced. If the player has chosen to double down, he is dealt just one card face-down and is opened only when all others finish their bets.

If the player has two cards with a similar denomination, he can Split the pair and form two new hands, which are played separately. The player places a bet identical to his initial one to cover the two hands. If the player splits Aces, and then is dealt a ten-value card, this will not be a blackjack and the payout will be 1-to-1.

If the dealer’s up card is an Ace the player can choose Insurance and place a side bet of half of his initial bet on the fact that the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack indeed, the player will lose his initial bet but gets the insurance which pays 2:1. If the dealer does not get a blackjack, the player will lose insurance and the hand is played in a usual way.

Surrender is not available everywhere. The player can surrender only if he says about it when his turn starts and he has not told anything else, and if the dealer has an Ace or a 10-value card as face up. The player will return half of his bet, but only if the dealer hasn’t had a blackjack.

The rules for the dealer are strict. Most casinos require the dealer to draw if he has 16 or less and stand if his hand is 17 or more. Some casinos allow the dealer hits on soft 17 decreasing the player’s advantage.