Blackjack

Objective

The goal is to draw cards until your hand adds up to 21, or comes as close as possible without exceeding 21. If your first two cards total 21 (a ten card plus an ace), you have Black jack.

Private/Multiplayer tables

You have the choice between private and multi-player tables. If you play Black jack at a multi-player table, you don't only have the option to chat with the other players during the game, you also have the chance to watch the game for a few rounds before you play.

Rules

Once a player has placed a 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. The Ace card can either be valued as a 1 or 11. Any card combined with an Ace, other than a card that has a value of 10, is considered a "soft hand". Meaning that if the player has 4 and an Ace, it would be considered 5 or a soft 15. Face cards and tens are valued as 10. All other cards are worth their face values. If the players first two cards total 21, then it's a natural Black jack and cannot be beaten.

If you are dealt any two cards other than a Black jack, then you may draw cards up to a total of 21. A player who stands, chooses not receive additional cards. Any hand exceeding 21(bust) loses regardless of the dealer's total. The dealer must draw on 16 and can stand on 17. If the dealer's hand is the same as the players the hand is tied, otherwise the higher hand wins.

The Black jack game uses six decks of cards, which are shuffled after each round.

Options

Splitting

When a player is dealt two cards with equal values, he/she has the option of "splitting" them into two separate hands. 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.

Doubling down

A player may double on his/her first two cards, except for Black jack, by doubling his/her initial bet. When doubling, only one more card is dealt. Players can also "double down" after "splitting" a pair.

Insurance

When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player is offered "insurance". Insurance means the player makes a second bet (of half the original bet). If the dealer has Black jack, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet. If the dealer does not have Black jack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal.

*The Dealer has none of these options.

Payouts

How to play

1. Set your bet denomination by clicking the appropriate chips in your chip tray. To lower your bet, shift + click the appropriate chips in your chip tray or use the UNDO button. The amount you wish to bet is called your "in hand" value and this is displayed. The default table limits will be the one chosen prior to opening the game and can be seen by moving your cursor over the table limit sign.
   
   
2. Once you have set your bet denomination, click the "BET" circle on the Black jack table where you wish to place a bet. There are three bet circles (Left, Centre and Right). You may place up to three bets. The appropriate chips will appear on the table. To remove your bet(s) shift + click the appropriate bets on the table or use the UNDO button. Those chips will disappear from the table.
   
   
3. Click the "Deal" button. You will be dealt two cards face up for each box you have bet on. The dealer's first card will be dealt face down. The total of your two cards will be shown in white under the cards.
   
   
4. Depending on your hand, you will have up to four options:
• Hit - receive another card.
• Stand - decline any additional cards.
• Double - one more card is dealt and the original bet is doubled.
• Split - if you are dealt any pair, the hand can be split. When a hand is split, each card is played separately. You must place the original bet on the second hand. If you split two aces, then only one card will be dealt to each hand. A hand can only be split once.
  
  
5. The result of the hand will be displayed in the user information panel. If you win, your balance increases and chips are added to your chip tray. Losses are subtracted from your balance. If you tie, your balance remains unchanged.
   
   
6. To play another hand, click the bet circle(s) on the Black jack table. To exit the game click the "Close" button in the upper right-hand corner or choose "Exit Game" from the casino menu. 

Tips

	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

S = Stand
H = Hit
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

Within each game there is a suite of games with various options for the player to choose the minimums and maximums of your choice.

Once the minimum and maximum has been chosen you are taken to the table of your choice.

Betting Limits are then shown on the “Table Limit” sign and can be shown by rolling your mouse cursor over the sign.