The blackjack playing area

Blackjack is played at a table that can usually accommodate between five and seven players. The sit opposite the dealer, who normally stands and faces them from the inside of the pit. The table is made up of various different areas, all of which have different functions. On the dealer's side of the table is the chip rack, which contains the house chips, a money slot for depositing cash changed by players at the table, a card showing the house rules and a rectangular box, or shoe, which contains the decks of cards that are to be used in the game.

Across the centre of the table are two or three specific rules, normally the payouts for blackjack and insurance and the total on which the dealer is permitted to stand (this will all be explained later on). On the players' side of the table are some marked areas where the bets are to be placed (normally one per seat at the table) and a corresponding chip rack along the edge of the table, where the player can store his chips ready for use in the game.