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Blackjack is one of the most popular games in the casino. In this card game everyone plays against the dealer. The dealer gets two cards; one card is face up and one face down (called the "hole" card). All cards are dealt from a dealing shoe. Players are prohibited from handling, removing or altering the cards used to play blackjack and the responsibility for correctly computing the point count lies only with the player, even though the dealer may announce the totals. Kings, Queens and Jacks count as ten. Aces count as one or eleven. Once you have your two cards and you feel you need additional cards to beat the dealer, you gesture for additional cards (called "hits") until you decide to stand. A dealer must draw on any point total of 16 or less and must stand on any point total of 17 or more unless stated otherwise on the layout. If a dealer's point total exceeds 21, all players win who have a point total of 21 or less. Otherwise, the dealer pays all hands that exceed the dealer's point total, takes all bets that are less, and leaves all bets that are equal the dealer's point total (pushes). All winning bets that are not Blackjack pay even money (1 to 1).
If your first two cards are an Ace and any ten value card, the dealer announces your hand as Blackjack. You will be paid at this time as long as the dealer does not have an Ace or Ten value card face up. If the dealer has a Blackjack this will be a standoff - no one wins. When the dealer does not have a Blackjack, the player will be paid off at 3 to 2 odds. In the event the player has Blackjack - 2 Card 21- and the dealer draws 21, the Blackjack is the winning hand.
Splitting Pairs - If a player's first two cards are of the same numerical value, you may split them into two hands as long as you match your original wager. If the dealer gets Blackjack, only the original wager is collected. You must complete play on your first hand before playing your second hand. However, you may double down on each hand. If the split pair are Aces, you will receive only one card on each. Pairs of cards with the same numerical value may be split to make no more than four hands.
Doubling Down - After receiving your first two cards, you may make an additional wager not in excess of the amount of your original wager. When doubling down you only receive one additional card. If the dealer gets Blackjack, after the player has doubled down, the dealer collects the amount of the original wagers. A player may also double down on the first two cards of any hand after splitting a pair.
Insurance - If the dealer's face up card is an Ace-and prior to anyone receiving additional cards-you may take insurance. To do this, you place a bet no more than one-half your original bet on the Insurance line. If the dealer's hole card is a Ten, Jack, Queen or a King, you win your Insurance bet at odds of 2 to 1. If dealer's hole card is any other card, you lose your Insurance bet. When the player has a Blackjack and dealer has an Ace showing, player may elect to be paid even money. Player must announce his intention when dealer asks for Insurance.
Hand Signals - Players must indicate they want a hit by making a clearly visible tapping or scratching motion with their hand. To indicate you wish to stand, motion slightly with your hand, palm down with a side to side motion. |
