Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular games in any casino.
The object of this card game is to have the total point value of the cards dealt
to the Player exceed the total point value of the Dealer’s hand without going
over 21. If the Player draws cards that total more than 21, the Player’s hand
“breaks” and the Player automatically loses.
How The Game Is Played
Each Player’s wager is a bet against the Dealer’s Hand.
The Dealer starts the game by dealing two cards face up to each Player. The
Dealer takes one card face up. The Dealer’s second card is dealt face down
and placed underneath the first card.
Each card assumes the value of the card shown. Kings, Queens and Jacks
count as 10. The Ace counts either as 1 or 11, whichever the Player chooses.
After all hands have been dealt, the Dealer will ask each Player how he/she
wishes to act on their hand. If the Player would like an additional card or cards
to improve their hand in order to beat the Dealer, the Player gestures for an
additional card (“hit”) until the Player decides to stop taking additional cards
(“stand”). If a Player’s point total exceeds 21, the Player automatically loses
the wager.
The Player must indicate the decision to hit or stand with hand signals.
No verbal commands for “hit” or “stand” decisions will be permitted.
After all Players have acted on their hands, the Dealer turns over the second
card in the Dealer’s hand. The Dealer must take an additional card on any point
total of 16 or less and must stand on any point total of 17 or more.
If a Dealer’s point total exceeds 21, all Players who have a point total of 21 or
less automatically win.
If a Dealer’s point total is 21 or less, the Dealer pays all hands that exceed
the Dealer’s point total and collects all bets on hands that are less than the
Dealer’s point total.
If the Player’s and Dealer’s point totals are the same, the Player’s bet “pushes”
and is returned to the Player.
All winning bets are paid Even Money.
Blackjack
If the Player’s first two cards total 21 (an Ace and a ten value
card), the Player has Blackjack. The Player will be paid at this time if the
Dealer does not have an Ace or a ten value card as a face up card. However,
if the Dealer’s face up card is an Ace or ten value card, no payment will be
made until after the Dealer checks his second card. If both the Player and
the Dealer have Blackjack, it is a push. A winning Blackjack is paid 3 to 2.
Splitting Pairs
If the Player’s first two cards have the same numerical value,
the Player may “split” them into two hands provided that the bet on the second
hand equals the original bet. Only after the first hand is played and completed
may the Player act on the second hand. Although the Player may “Double
Down” on these hands, a split hand may be split again up to three (3) times
unless specified on rules displayed on table signage. Also, if the split pair are
Aces, the Player is limited to a one-card draw on each hand unless specified
on rules displayed on table signage.
Doubling Down
After receiving the first two cards, or the first two cards of
any split pair except for Blackjack or a point count of 21 in two cards, the Player
may elect to make a “Double Down” wager for an additional amount not to
exceed the value of the original bet. On any “Double Down” wager, the Player
will receive only one additional card.
Insurance
If the Dealer’s first card is an Ace, the Player may elect to “take
Insurance” after the initial two cards are dealt to all Players and the Dealer.
The Insurance bet is a wager that the Dealer will have Blackjack with his
second card and cannot be greater than one-half (1/2) the original bet. In other
words, the Player is betting the Dealer will draw a 10, Jack, Queen or King to
form a Blackjack when making an Insurance bet.
If the Dealer’s second card forms a Blackjack, the Player’s Insurance bet is a
winning bet that is paid 2-to-1. If the Dealer does not form a Blackjack with the
second card, the Player’s Insurance bet is a losing wager.
Playing The Game
The Player must indicate all decisions to hit or stand with
hand signals. No verbal commands for hitting or standing will be accepted.
Decisions to split pairs, double down or take insurance must be indicated
verbally and by placing the appropriate amount to be bet at the player’s space
on the table.
The responsibility for correctly computing the point count of the Player’s hand
lies solely with the Player.
There may be varying Blackjack rules from table to table. Optional
rules in effect will be posted on signage at each respective table.
All management decisions are final.