The player places their bet in the betting circle. Both the dealer and player
are dealt two cards. The players cards are shown face up while only one of the
dealer’s cards is shown. The object of Blackjack is to have a set of cards which
adds up to the value of 21 or as close to the value or 21 without going over 21
(This is known as going "Bust" and the other side will automatically win the
hand). The numbered cards (2 to 10) are worth their face value while the face
cards (J, Q, K) are all worth 10. An Ace is worth either 1 or 11. If player or
dealer is dealt say an Ace and a 5 then the value of these cards is either a 6
or 16. This is known as a Soft total. Any other combination of cards without an
Ace is known as a Hard total. If either player or dealer is dealt an Ace and a
10 value card this is known as a Natural Blackjack and will automatically win
the hand. This pays out a bonus of 3 to 2 instead of the normal 1 to 1 for
winning a hand at Blackjack.
Once cards have been dealt and the player does not have Blackjack then the
player then has the following options –
- Hit – Requests another card from the deck. Be careful not to go
Bust. - Stand – Requests not additional cards assuming you haven’t gone
Bust. The dealer will then start to unveil their card or cards. - Double Down – If the player is confident that their hand is going
to win they can "Double Down". The players initial bet is doubled and is dealt
only one additional card. The player cannot Hit after this. The player is only
given the option of doubling down straight after the initial two cards have
been dealt. So for example you cannot take a Hit then Double Down. - Split – If the player is dealt two identical cards (for example: a
pair of 5’s, a pair of Kings or a pair of Queens, etc.) then the player is
given the option of splitting the initial two cards to become two separate
hands. If the player does split then the player again puts down their initial
bet. Effectively the player is doubling their bet and is playing two hands
against the dealer one. The player is then dealt another two cards (one for
each hand) and the player then has the option of Hitting or Standing as they
see appropriate. Some casinos do offer the option of Doubling Down on a split
hand and some do not. Check the casino rules before playing. - Insurance – When the dealer’s up card is an Ace then the player has
the opportunity to buy "Insurance". An additional amount equal to half of that
player’s original wager, before any further play begins. The player may
purchase insurance when he/she believes that the dealer’s down card is a ten
value card. If the dealer does have Blackjack then the insurance wager pays 2
to 1. If the dealer does not have Blackjack then the insurance wager loses and
the game continues as usual. The player can always pass the offer of
insurance.
Once the player Stands without going Bust then the dealer unveil their down
card. The dealer will always Hit on a hand value of 16 and will always Stand on
a soft 17. Once the dealer Stands without going Bust the hand totals of player
and dealer are compared. The hand total closest to 21 wins the hand. If hand
totals are equal then this is known as a Push and the player will receive there
initial bet back
