How do banking card games such as blackjack work?

Banking card games, such as blackjack and baccarat, are gambling games where players bet against a banker or dealer rather than against each other. In a casino setting, the banker is typically a representative of the house, though in home play, participants may rotate the role of banker to equalize their chances.1

In blackjack, the primary objective is to obtain a card total of 21, or a value closer to 21 than the dealer, without exceeding that number. Players place bets and receive cards from the dealer, then decide whether to "stand" or request additional cards to improve their total. The dealer must follow specific house rules, such as drawing cards until reaching a minimum total (usually 17). If the player’s hand is higher than the dealer’s without "busting" (going over 21), the player wins.2

These games are distinct from vying games like poker, where players compete against one another, and trick-taking games, which focus on winning specific rounds of play.1