J. Black Deals You In

"Welcome to my table, friend." J. Black slides 8 face-up cards across the felt. Tap a card to pick it up, then tap a hand slot to lay it down. Build 3 hands of 2 cards from the 8, the 2 spares get burnt.

The Read

Every card's face up, friend, no surprises on your side. Which 6 you keep and where you place them, that's the whole game. The house gets 6 cards too, split into 3 hands by chance, not choice. Outsmart the deal.

The Play

Cards down, table set. Hand 1 against the house's Hand 1, then Hand 2, then Hand 3. Hit or Stand the old-fashioned way. The house holds at 17, hits anything 16 or under.

The Take

Take 2 of 3 hands and the match is yours. Take 3 matches and the series is yours (best of 5). Your standing at J. Black's table rises or falls with every series, that's the rating.

ELO

Start at 1200. Win a match and your ELO climbs. Lose and it drops. The stronger your rating, the less you gain from a win and the more you lose from a defeat.