The game is played
using 8 decks of cards, re-shuffled after each round.
Card Values
Aces can be used as either 1 or 11. Any hand that includes an ace
has two values… a soft value and a hard value. I.e. if the hand is an ace-8,
the hard value is 9, the soft value is 19.
The King, Queen, Jack and Ten are 10 points each. All other cards
are worth their face values.
If the player's first two cards total 21 it's a natural Blackjack.
Blackjack is the highest hand.
Once a player has placed his/her bet, both the player and the dealer
are dealt two cards each. The player's cards are dealt face up.
The dealer's first card is dealt face down.
If the player doesn't have a Blackjack, he/she may "Stand"
(refuse any further cards), or "Hit" ( accept another card).
A player who stands will not receive additional cards. Cards are
dealt until the player stands or "busts" (exceeds 21). If the player
busts, he/she immediately loses the bet regardless of the dealer's
hand result.
Player's Options
The Dealer has none of the following options.
Splitting
When a player is dealt two cards with equal values, they have the option of "splitting"
them into two separate hands. In order to "split", the initial bet has to be matched.
Each hand is then played separately. If the player splits two Aces, only one more
card is dealt to each hand. A hand can only be split once. A two card 21 total
on a split is not a natural blackjack. If the hand does not push it will pay even
money.
Doubling Down
A player may double on their first two cards other than a Blackjack.
When a player doubles, only one more card is dealt and the original
bet has to be matched. Essentially, the player bets the hand can
be won with one more card. You can also "double down" after "splitting"
a pair.
Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player is offered "insurance".
Taking insurance means the player makes a second bet (of half the
original bet) that the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If
this is the case, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet
and the initial bet loses as it is beaten by the dealer's Blackjack.
If the dealer does not have a natural Blackjack, the insurance bet
is lost and the hand is played out as normal.
Even Money
If the player (you) has a Blackjack and the dealer's up card is
an Ace, the player is offered 'even money'. Taking even money means
the player will be paid 1 to 1 on the Blackjack and not 3 to 2 as
normal. Taking even money means the player believes the dealer's
face down card is a ten card. If the player chooses not to take
even money and the dealer reveals a Blackjack, both hands tie. If
no even money is taken and the dealer has no Blackjack, the player
is paid at 3 to 2.
The Dealer's cards
After the player's final actions, the dealer reveals the down card.
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 and cannot take additional cards.
If the dealer exceeds 21 ("bust"), and the player has stood without
busting, the player wins.
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).
Payouts
| Winning Wager |
Odds Payout |
| Winning Hand |
1 - 1 |
| Blackjack |
3 - 2 |
| Insurance |
2 - 1 |
| Even Money |
1 - 1 |
BASIC BLACKJACK STRATEGY
 |
PLAYER'S
HAND |
DEALER'S
UP CARD |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
| 5-6-7-8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 9 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 11 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
| 12 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 13-14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 15-16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 17-18-19-20-21 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
 |
A-2(13),
A-3(14) |
H |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A-4(15),
A-5(16) |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A-6(17) |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A-7(18) |
S |
D |
D |
D |
D |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
| A-8(19),
A-9(20) |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
 |
A
& A |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
| 2
& 2 - 3 & 3 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 4
& 4 |
H |
H |
H |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 5
& 5 NS |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 6
& 6 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 7
& 7 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 8
& 8 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
| 9
& 9 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
S |
S |
| 10
& 10 NS |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H=Hit,
S=Stand
D=Double Down
SP=Split
NS=Never Split
* This strategy does not guarantee that the player will
win. It is a strategy that gives the player a better percentage
of winning.
|
Betting limits
Every time you open the game you will be presented with the betting limits pop-up window that allows you to select your bet limits at the table.
The Min. Bet limitindicates the minimum amount you must bet in one game, regardless of the number of hands you have chosen to play. The Max. Betlimit indicates the maximum bet allowed on each hand/betting area.
Please note: should you wish to change the limits inbetween hands, you can do so by clicking on the View and change table limits button in the top right hand side of your screen.
View and change table limits
The betting limits pop-up window also allows you to select the maximum number of hands in play (3, 5 or 7). Your choice will be reflected by the number of betting areas that will appear on the table.
Make your selections and click on OK.
Placing a bet
Once you have chosen your betting limits, select the value of your chips by clicking on the relevant chip at the lower left hand corner of your screen. The largest chip indicates the value currently selected.
To place your bet, click on one ore more betting areas on the table.
Please note: As the Add chip mode is automatically active when you start the game, each click on the table will increase your bet by 1 chip of the value selected. Should you choose to activate the Remove chip mode instead, each click on the table will decrease your bet by 1 chip.
 |
 |
| Add chip |
Remove chip |
Before clicking on the Deal the cards button, you may amend your bets using the available buttons. Use the Undo last action or Redo last action buttons to respectively remove or repeat your last action. Click on the Clear all bets button to remove all bets from the table. All available buttons are highlighted; any unavailable button will appear in grey.
Once you are happy with your bets click on the Deal the cards button to deal the cards. For each bet you have placed you will receive two cards.
Deal the cards
The appropriate buttons to play each of your hands will appear and the relevant bet will be highlighted.
Make your choice to Hit, Stand, Split, Double Down, Accept or Refuse Insurance and Even Money for each one of your hands.
 |
Hit – Request one more card |
 |
Stand – Don’t request any more cards |
 |
Double – Double your stake |
 |
Split – Divide the hand in two separate hands |
 |
Accept Insurance or Even Money |
 |
Decline Insurance or Even Money |
After you have played each one of your hands the Dealer's card will be revealed and the result of each of your hands will be displayed on the table next to each hand.
If you wish to play again, click on New Game and start another game.
New Game
The amount you previously bet on each hand will appear on the table. If you wish to bet the same amount you placed on each of your previous hands, click Place your last bet, otherwise, place your bet by clicking directly on the table and then click on Deal the cards. The value of your chips will be the last value selected.
Last Bet
Preferences
If you wish to personalise the table and surrounding environment, click on PREFERENCES on the top navigation bar.
From inside the PREFERENCES pop-up you will also be able to change the appearance of the game frame, the audio and other general features, such as the Welcome message and your Avatar. These general preferences will apply to all other games featuring the same PREFERENCES options and will be saved for the next time you log into the games.
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Blackjack
