Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one, is the most widely played casino game in the world. Much of blackjack's popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill.
Each player and the dealer receive two cards; player’s cards are dealt face-up while the dealer’s first card is turned face-up and the second card face-down. Cards numbered two through ten are counted at face value. Face cards count as ten and aces may be counted as one or eleven. By standing pat on their first two cards or drawing more cards, players try to develop a hard count greater than the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21.
A player’s hand that exceeds 21 is “broken” and the corresponding wager is lost, a player’s hand totaling 21 with their first two cards is a blackjack and is paid at odds of 3 to 2 unless the dealer also has a blackjack. In this case they “push” or tie and the player’s wager receives no action.
All players who do not have a blackjack are given the option of drawing more cards to improve their hand. If this results in a hand that exceeds 21, the player’s wager is lost. After all players have had the opportunity to draw cards, the dealer’s second card is exposed. The dealer must draw cards until their hand totals hard 17 or greater. The dealer must hit on a soft 17 or less. A soft hand is one that contains an Ace and cannot be broken when hit with a card of any value. If the dealer’s hand is broken, all player wagers are paid even money. If the dealer has a blackjack all players without a blackjack lose their wagers. If the dealer makes a hand it is then compared to each player’s hand. If a hand batters that of the dealer it is paid even money. The dealer collects losing wagers. Tie hands are a push and receive no action; all cards are then collected and a new round is begun.
Insurance:
If the dealer’s first card is and Ace, players may make a bet called insurance. They are betting the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack the insurance is paid 2 to 1 and the blackjack wager loses. The maximum insurance bet is one-half the blackjack wager.
Double-Down:
Players may double their bet on any first two cards. They must then receive only one card.
- Players may not touch their cards at any time.
- Players may split any first two cards of equal value up to three times. Aces may be split only once and receive one card.
- Players playing two spots must bet twice the table minimum—Players playing three hands must bet five times the minimum.
- No side bets are allowed.
- The Floor Supervisor’s decision is final.