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BLACKJACK |
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Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. The goal of Blackjack is to get your hand value closer to 21 than that of the dealer, without going over 21.
Game Details
Only available in 'real money' mode.
The minimum bet is $1 and the maximum bet is $100. The maximum bet applies for the initial bet of the game.
8 Decks in shoe, shuffled every hand
Dealer draws to 16 and stands on 17
Two splits allowed (3 hands)
Double after split allowed
Late Surrender (after insurance check) allowed
Draw on split aces allowed
Dealer checks for blackjack on Ace through Ten.
The 'Insurance' option is offered to the player if the dealer has an Ace as their up card.
It is possible that the dealer has a Blackjack if the dealer's up card is a 10, Jack, Queen or King. In this case the player will lose unless they also have a Blackjack. The dealer will check whether a Blackjack is possible and will collect the losing bet immediately if they have a Blackjack.
Card Values
An Ace can count as either 1 or 11
The cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated.
The 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued as 10.
The suits of the cards do not have any meaning in the game.
Card Combinations
Blackjack - A total of 21 with your first 2 cards and can only be an Ace with a 10, Jack, King or Queen. It is not called a Blackjack if you split a pair (of Aces, 10s or face cards) and then get 21 one with the next deal, but is simply called 21.
21 - Any combination and number of cards that make a total of 21.
Soft Hand - A hand that contains an Ace is called a "soft" total if the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 without the total going over 21. For example (Ace, 6) is a soft 17. The description stems from the fact that the player can always draw another card to a soft total with no danger of "busting" by going over 21.
Hard Hand - The hand (Ace, 6, 10) is a "hard" 17, since now the Ace must be counted as only 1 (the value can not be changed). Also any hand that does not contain an Ace is called a "hard hand" as the value can not be altered.
Dealing
Once the initial bets have been made, the dealer will deal the cards. Both you and the dealer will receive 2 cards. You can see both of your cards and one of the dealer's cards. You will then have the option to surrender, hit, stand, double, split or pay insurance (see Player Choices for details).
The Dealer's Hand
The dealer will stand on all 17s. The dealer must continue to take cards ("hit") until their total is 17 or greater. An Ace in the dealer's hand is always counted as 11 if possible without the dealer going over 21.
Player Choices
Hit - Draw another card.
Stand - Stop at the current total and take no more cards.
Double (Doubling Down) - This can only be done with a two card hand (before another card has been drawn). Doubling down allows you to double your bet but you can receive only one additional card to the hand.
Split (Splitting Pairs) - When you are dealt a matching pair of cards (numerical value, example: 6 and 6 or Queen and King) you have the ability to split the hand into two separate hands, and play them independently. You are allowed to split pairs 2 times during a game. When you split you bet the same amount as the initial bet again on the new hand/s (you will only be given the option to split pairs if you have enough money to cover the extra bets).
Surrender - Surrender offers you the choice to fold your hand at the cost of half of the original bet. You must make the decision before taking any other action on the hand. For example, once you draw a third card, split or double down, you can no longer surrender. The dealer will check for blackjack first, and then only if they do not have blackjack will the player be allowed to surrender.
Insurance - If the dealer's shown card is an Ace the "Insurance" option will be offered and you can bet up to half your original bet amount. The dealer will check to see if their second card has a value of 10, and if they do have Blackjack, your winning Insurance bet will be paid at odds of 2:1. Insurance is a side bet that has no influence on the original bet. So if the dealer does have Blackjack you will win the Insurance bet but unless you also have Blackjack you will lose your original bet.
Game Results
Blackjack - You have a total of 21 with your first 2 cards and can only be an Ace with a 10, Jack, King or Queen. Pays 3 to 2
Win - You have a better hand then the dealer or the dealer "busts".
Bust - If your card total goes over 21 then you "bust" or lose.
Dealer Wins - Your total is under 21 but the dealer has a better hand.
Push - If both you and the dealer have the same value hand - your bet is returned.
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