Double Deck
Double Deck Blackjack is one of the most popular games in any casino. The object of this game is to have the total point value of the cards dealt to the Player exceed the total value if 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 Players wager is a bet against the Dealer’s hand. The Dealer starts the game by dealing two cards face down to each Player. The Dealer takes one card face up. The Dealers 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” their hand by making a swiping motion with the cards in their hand. If the Player has a “Stand” hand the Player will tuck his/her cards under the wager that they have made. If Player’s total goes over 21 the Player will turn their hand over to expose it to the Dealer. 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 Dealer’s hand. The Dealer must take additional card on any point total of “soft 17” or less and must stand on any point total of “hard’ 17 or more. If a Dealers 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, 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 will be paid 3 to 2.
Splitting Pair: 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, Providing that the total of the first two cards equal 10 or 11, 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 Insurance bet. If the Dealer’s second card forms a Blackjack, the Player 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 Insurance bet is a losing wager.
Playing The Game: The Player must indicate all decisions to hit with a swiping motion or stand by tucking cards under wager. No verbal commands for hitting or standing will be accepted. Decisions to split pairs, double down must be indicated by turning your cards over and placed on table face up, and by placing the appropriate amount to be bet at the Player’s space on the table. The Player must double the table minimum if he/she elects to play two (2) hands.
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.