| RULES
OF BLACKJACK |
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The
object of the blackjack game is to accumulate cards with
point totals as close to 21 without going over 21. Face
cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10 points. Aces
are worth 1 or 11, whichever is preferable. Other cards
are represented by their number.
If player
and the House tie, it is a push and no one wins. Ace and
10 (Blackjack) on the first two cards dealt is an automatic
player win at 1.5 to 1, unless the house ties. A player
may stand at any time.
Playing
Blackjack
To win you need to beat the dealer without busting. You
bust when your cards total to more than 21 and you lose
automatically. The winner is whoever has closest to a total
of 21. You reach 21 by adding up the values of the cards.
The
blackjack table seats about 6 players. Either six or eight
decks of cards are used and are shuffled together by the
dealer and placed in a card dispensing box called 'Shoe'.
Before
receiving any cards players must place a wager. Then the
players are dealt two cards face up. The dealer gets one
face up, one face down. Each player in turn either stays
or takes more cards to try and get closer to 21 without
busting. Players who do not bust wait for the dealer's turn.
When all the players are done, the dealer turns up the down
card. By rule, on counts of 17 or higher the dealer must
stay; on counts of 16 or lower the dealer must draw.
If you
make a total of 21 with the first two cards (a 10 or a face
and an Ace), you win automatically. This is called 'Blackjack'.
If you have Blackjack, you will win one and one-half times
your bet unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which
case it is a Push or a Tie (or a Stand-off) and you get
your bet back.
The
remaining players with a higher count than the dealer win
an amount equal to their bet. Players with a lower count
than the dealer lose their bet. If the dealer busts, all
the remaining players win. There are other betting options
namely Insurance, Surrender, Double Down, Even Money and
Split.
Insurance:
side bet up to half the initial bet against the dealer having
a natural 21 - allowed only when the dealer's showing card
is an Ace. If the dealer has a 10 face down and makes a
blackjack, insurance pays at 2-1 odds.
Surrender:
giving up your hand and lose only half the bet.
Early
Surrender: surrender allowed before the dealer checks
for blackjack.
Late
Surrender: the dealer first checks to see if he has
blackjack. If he does, surrender is not permitted.
Double
Down: double your initial bet following the initial
two-card deal, but you can hit one card only. A good bet
if the player is in a strong situation.
Even
Money: cashing in your bet immediately at a 1:1 payout
ratio when you are dealt a natural blackjack and the dealer's
showing card is an Ace.
Split
Hand: split the initial two-card hand into two and play
them separately - allowed only when the two first cards
are of equal value. Use each card as the start to a separate
hand and place a second bet equal to the first.
House advantage (approximate, may vary with different rules)
Without basic strategy 7% average.
With basic strategy 0.5% or less.
Card counting can reverse the advantage up to 1% to the
player.
Some
Blackjack Variations
Using different number of decks - all other conditions
being the same, as a general rule the fewer the decks, the
better for the player.
- Allowing
the dealer to hit a soft 17 - a disadvantage to the player.
It gives the dealer a chance to improve.
- Allowing a double down after splitting pairs - can be
advantageous to the player if used wisely.
- Allowing re-splitting of Aces - a clear advantage to the
player.
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