Blackjack is a popular card game where players aim to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without exceeding it. Each player is dealt two cards, and they can choose to "hit" (take another card) or "stand" (keep their current hand). Face cards are worth 10, and Aces can be 1 or 11. If a player's hand exceeds 21, they "bust" and lose. The dealer must hit until reaching at least 17. Players win by having a higher total than the dealer or if the dealer busts. A winning hand of 21 with the first two cards is called a "blackjack."