Blackjack

How to play

The aim of the game is to accumulate cards to get to 21. If you go over 21 points then you are bust. You need to beat the dealer without going bust. The winner is whoever gets a blackjack (10 and Ace in first 2 cards dealt) or to 21 with more than 2 cards, or closest to 21 without going bust. If you tie with the dealer, it is known as a push and no one wins.

Card values:

  • King, Queen, Jack → 10 points
  • Aces → 1 or 11
  • Other cards → represented by their number 1-10

You do not have to take cards every round. A player may stand if they wish. (for example if you have a 10 and an 8 you would not want to take another card as the risk of going bust are too high and 18 is a good points total).

The game:

  • The player places a wager before being dealt any cards.
  • 2 cards are dealt to the player face up.
  • 2 cards are dealt to the dealer, one face up and one face down.
  • Players take turns and either stays or takes more cards.
  • Those players who have not gone bust wait for the dealer to have his turn.
  • The dealer's rules mean that if his two cards add up to 17 or more, he must stay. On card totals of 16or less, he must draw.

Scoring:

If your total is 21 (10 and ace or face card and ace) with the first two cards you received you have a blackjack and automatically win. You will win 11/2 times your bet ie if your bet was £10 you would get back £25. If the dealer also has blackjack you do not win anything but you get your bet back. This is known as a push or stand off.

If the dealer does not get a blackjack, the players with more points than the dealer win an amount equal to their bet ie if you bet £10 you would get £20 back. If the dealer busts, all the remaining players win the amount equal to their bet.

Other betting Options:

  • Insurance: side bet up to half the players original bet against the dealer having a blackjack. This bet is only allowed if the dealers visible card is an Ace. If the dealer does make a blackjack with his other card the insurance bet pays 2-1. If the loser does not maek a blackjack, the bet loses. Surrender: If your hand is not good and you don't think you will win you can surrender and get half your original bet back.
  • Early Surrender: This is when the player surrenders before the dealer checks his cards. The player might surrender if the dealer has an ace and the players own hand has a low point total. Late Surrender: The player waits to surrender until after the dealer has checked both his cards. If the dealer gets a blackjack, the player may not then surrender.
  • Double Down: The player may double his original bet following delivery of his first two cards, but may only get one more card.
  • Even Money: If a player gets a blackjack and the dealer is showing an Ace and his other card is still hidden, the player may opt to cash out and win the amount equal to his bet rather than risk a drawer should the dealer get a blackjack as well. This does mean however, forgoing the 11/2 payment should the dealer fail to get a blackjack.
  • Split Hand: If the first 2 cards dealt are of equal value, the player may then split the hand and play them separately. A second bet equal to the first must be placed and the original cards must form part of the hand.
  • Hard Hand: In a hand where the Ace is valued at 1 only, it is known as a hard hand.
  • Soft Hand: In a hand where the Ace is worth 1 or 11, it is known as a soft hand.

Blackjack Facts:

  • A blackjack table seats 6 players
  • 6 or 8 decks of cards used
  • The dispensing box is called the shoe.