Blackjack is probably the most popular casino card game played. The objective is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21 (known as going bust).
How to Play
The Player and dealer are dealt two cards each. Both player's cards are dealt face up. The dealer's first card is dealt face down, the second card face up.
If the dealer's upcard is a 10 or and Ace, the following 3 dealer actions take place:
1) Upcard is 10: Checking for Blackjack
If the dealer has a 10 showing, he will check for blackjack by "peeking" at his downcard and announcing "Checking for Blackjack". If the dealer does not have blackjack, the hand continues. If the dealer has blackjack and the player doesn't, the player loses the hand without continuing. In cases where both dealer and player have blackjack, a push is declared.
2) Upcard is Ace: Offer Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, and the player does not have blackjack, the player is offered insurance. Taking insurance means the player makes a second bet (the value of which is half the original bet) that the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, the player loses their initial bet but is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal.
3) Upcard is Ace: Offer Even Money
If the dealer's up card is an Ace and the player has a blackjack, the player is offered 'even money'. Taking even money means the player believes the dealer also has blackjack.
When taking even money, the player is instantly paid 1:1 by doubling the player's chip amount in the bet circle, and play on the hand ends
When taking even money, the player gives up the normal 3:2 payoff, whether the dealer has blackjack or not.
For hands that continue after the dealer actions, any of the following conditions may apply for the player:
1. |
Hit and Stand - On any hands where the player doesn't have a blackjack, the player may stand (refuse any further cards), or hit (accept another card). A player can hit as often as desired until they select stand or they bust (exceed 21). When you bust, you immediately lose your bet regardless of the dealer's hand result. |
2. |
Double Down (player hands only) - You are betting that your hand can be won with one more card. |
Double downs cannot be applied to a blackjack hand. A player may only double down on their first two cards. When a player doubles down, the original bet is automatically doubled (a second chip appears) and the player receives one more card.
Note: You can also double down after splitting a pair.
3.
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Split (player hands only) - if you are dealt two cards of the same value (such as two eights or a Jack and Queen), the hand can be split into two separate hands. |
When a hand is split, each card forms a new hand and is then played separately. The original bet amount is applied to the second hand automatically by doubling the chip amount in the bet circle.
NOTE: If you split two Aces, only one more card will be dealt to each hand.
A hand can only be split once meaning, if your third card was the same as the first two, it could not be used to create a third hand.
A two card 21 total on a split is not a natural blackjack. If the hand does not push it will pay even money.
Winning
After the player's final actions, the dealer's down card is revealed. If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, the dealer must continue to hit until reaching 17 or more. The dealer must stand on soft 17 (see Card Values) and cannot take additional cards.
If the dealer busts (exceeds 21), any player hands that haven't busted are winning hands.
When the dealer stands on 17 or greater and has a higher count than the player - the dealer wins; if the player has the higher count - the player wins.
If the player and the dealer have the same totals, it's a push (tie). Your bet is returned to you. If dealer hand busts and player hand busts, dealer absolutely wins. |
