Blackjack
is a game played against the dealer. All face cards
(kings, queens, jacks) count as 10, Aces count as 11
or 1, all other cards represent their face value.
The
object of the game is to get closer to 21 than the dealer,
without going over 21.
If you are closer to 21 than the dealer, or the dealer
goes over 21 (bust) you win.
If
the dealer is closer to 21 than you or you bust, you
lose.
If
your hands are the same value, your stake money is
returned, this is know as a ‘push’.
Once
you have decided on the size of your stake, the game
begins with all the players and the dealer being dealt
two cards (the dealer with one face down). The value
of your hand is the total value of your cards. For example,
if you are dealt a jack and a 4 your hand is fourteen.
Aces count as one or eleven, you don’t have to
choose, it will automatically be the one which gives
you the best hand.
You
then have the choice of whether to stand, hit, split,
or double. You may also be offered the choice of ‘insurance’
Actions
Stand
To
‘stand’ means you do not want another card
and the cards you’ve been dealt will be your total.
If you are dealt 21 from you first two cards (i.e. an
ace and a 10) you will automatically stand. Being dealt
21 is called ‘a blackjack’.
Hit
You
ask to be dealt another card. You can then chose to
hit again or stand. You can continue to take cards as
many times as you like but if your total goes over 21
you are bust and lose the hand.
Split
If
you are dealt two cards of the same value (e.g. a pair
of 8s) you can choose to split. The exact rules on which
cards can be split will vary slightly according to the
casino and the variety of blackjack you are playing.
If
you choose to split, the two cards will be played as
separate hands. For example instead of a pair of 8s
giving you a hand of 16, you will have two separate
hands each with the value of 8. You will have to duplicate
your initial bet for the second hand if you want to
split.
You
then play these hands as you would play a normal individual
hand. The only exception to this is when splitting Aces.
After splitting aces you only receive one more card
per hand.
Whether
you can split a split hand or whether you are allowed
to double after a split will vary depending on the variety
of blackjack and at what casino you are playing.
Double
To
double means your initial bet is doubled and you will
receive one more card. You must stand after this card
is dealt.
Insurance
If
the dealer is showing an ace (i.e. his face up card
is an ace) you have the choice of taking ‘insurance’
against the dealer having a blackjack (i.e. his other
card being a 10). By choosing to take insurance, you
place a bet of half your original stake that the dealer’s
other card is a 10.
If
the dealer does have a blackjack, you get paid 2-1 on
your insurance bet but your original stake is lost (unless
you have also been dealt blackjack, in which case it
is a ‘push’ and the stake is returned).
If
the dealer has not been dealt a blackjack, the insurance
bet is lost, and the hand played as normal.
Surrender
This
option is not always available. However, if it is available
and you don't like your initial two cards (in comparison
to the dealers face up card) you can quit the hand and
take back half your bet.
Continuing Play
Once
you have completed your actions, the dealer will turn
over their face down card. The dealer has to stand on
17 or above and has to draw on lower than 17. They will
continue to take another card until their total is 17
or above or until they bust.
At
this point, if neither the dealer nor you have bust,
whoever has the total closest to 17 wins the hand.
A
winning hand is paid at even money (e.g. A stake of
£10 on a winning hand returns £20). A blackjack
is paid 3-2 (e.g. A £10 stake on a blackjack returns
£25).
Lets
Play!!!
There's
no better way to learn Blackjack than to play it! Place
your bet, then click deal.
Strategy
The
following table is a detailed guide to what you should
do in every possible circumstance, when playing blackjack.
Feel free to save it or print it out for future reference.
If
you want to write a introductory guide to any casino
game not already featured, please emails us - we would
be most grateful!
