The aim in blackjack is to get a hand totalling 21 with two cards (A-K, for example) or as close to it as possible with more cards. You also have to get a better total than the dealer. If your cards reach 22 or more, you’re bust. If your fi rst two cards total 13 and the dealer’s up-card is a King, you call for another card (‘hit’), hoping for an 8 or less. If the next card is an Ace, which counts as one or 11, you hope for a 7 and hit again.

However, if the value of your cards is 17, either with two cards or after hitting, trying to improve your hand is too risky.