Blackjack Rules

Objective of Blackjack

In this game, the player and the dealer (the computer) are each dealt two cards. The player and the dealer both try to get the hand they are dealt to equal twenty-one without going over. The hand that gets closer to twenty-one without going over wins the bet. In blackjack, you are competing only against the dealer, not against the other players.

Placing Bets

To place your bet, click on the 'increase bet' or 'decrease bet' button. The size of your bet appears just to the right of these buttons. The figure will change as you change your bet size and represents the amount you are betting on the next hand.

How to Play

Blackjack is played with one fifty-two-card deck. After every hand has been played, the used cards will be shuffled back into the deck. All face cards are worth ten. Aces are worth either one or eleven points; if counting the ace as eleven would put the hand over twenty-one, the ace is automatically counted as one instead. All other cards are worth their face value. The simplest way to get exactly twenty-one is to hold an ace and either a face card or a ten. (Suit is irrelevant.) 

To begin play, press the 'deal' button. Cards will begin to scroll from the right hand side of the screen. The cards on the top portion of the screen are the dealer's. The cards on the lower portion of the screen belong to the player. 

After both the dealer and the player have been dealt their cards, you will have the choice of either 'hitting' or 'standing'. When applicable, you will also have the chance to take insurance against the dealer’s ace, to split cards of the same rank and to double the original bet. The 'hit' button is used to draw another card. The 'stand' button is if you do not require another card. 

The insurance button can be used when the dealer has an ace. The cost of insurance is half your original bet. Insurance pays 2-1 and pays out when the dealer gets blackjack. 

The ‘double’ button is used to double your original bet. You will be dealt one more card only and then the dealer will draw the necessary cards to complete the dealer's hand. You can only double when the value of the first 2 cards is 9, 10 or 11. 

The ‘split’ option can be chosen when your first 2 cards are of the same rank. Your original single hand will be split into two, each with a stake equal to your original bet. You will be dealt a second card for your first hand. You will then be able to hit, stand and take insurance (where applicable) for your first hand. Once you have chosen to stand, a second card will be dealt to your second hand and you will then be given the relevant choices for that hand. Once you have chosen to stand (or you bust) on your second hand, the dealer will then draw the necessary cards to complete the game. 

Once the dealer’s hand is complete (or bust), payouts or deductions will be made to your balance according to the game's outcome.

Rule Summary

* Dealer must draw on all totals of 16 or less, and stand on all totals of 17-21; 
* player may take insurance on a dealer's Ace; 
* player may double down on any initial two-card combination of 9,10 or 11; 
* identical pairs may be split but not re-split; and 
* Doubling after splitting is NOT allowed.