Official Blackjack Rules

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This section is dedicated to the Official Blackjack rules of traditional game. However please note that there are numerous variations of the game, that’s why please check the Official Blackjack Rules each time you start a game.

The Object of the Game

As it was mentioned before, the main object of the game is to reach total higher than the dealer and not to go over 21. Blackjack is a game between the dealer and the player that is why there is no competition between the players.

Official Blackjack Rules

The game usually starts with betting. According to the Official Blackjack Rules, players place the chips they want to bet before they receive the cards. Dealer starts dealing with the first player to his left, two cards usually face up for each player and to cards for himself (one facing up and another facing down, called a hole card). Each player makes a decision on how to play his or her hand. After all the players’ hands are played the dealer turn comes.

Dealer Plays

Dealer options are very limited and he may not act on his own manner. Dealer must hit any hand totaling 16 or less. Dealer must stop on any hand totaling 17 or more. Although nowadays some casinos provide a new rule to the Official Blackjack Rules saying that dealer must hit on a soft 17 hand (Ace and any cards totalling six).

And the Winner Is…

In blackjack your hand is only against the dealer hand, so the hands of other players are of no importance. The Official Blackjack Rules say that the hand that is closer to 21than the dealer hand without busting (going over 21) wins. Player hand that busts loses automatically, even if the dealer hand busts too. Player wins in case dealer hand busts, and the player himself does not, regardless of the total of the hand.

Placing the bets

All the players that wish to play place the bets before the cards are dealt. Those who did not place the bet are out of this hand and may wait for the next. Bets can not be changed during the game, so please place the entire amount that you want to bet on the table.

Official Blackjack Rules. Blackjack (Natural) play options

A blackjack (also called a natural) is a hand of first two cards that consists of an Ace and a ten valued card. Blackjack is an automatic winner unless dealer also has a blackjack, in which case the hand is a push or a tie. Usually all blackjacks pay 3:2.

Card Values

Each card according to the Official Blackjack Rules has a numerical value:

Surrender

Right after the cards have been dealt the players have a chance to forfeit their hands and give up half of the original wager. This option is reasonable if the winning chances are less than 50%. Not many casinos have this option, however the surrender can be of two types (early and late surrender).

Early surrender allows forfeiting before dealer checks his hand for a blackjack.Whereas late surrender allows forfeiting only after the dealer has checked his cards for blackjack and only if his hand is not a blackjack.

Hit

In case the player is not satisfied with the small value of his hand he may choose to hit, ask for one more card. Player may hit as many times as he wishes as long as he does not bust.

Stand

In the event the player is satisfied with his hand or does not want to risk busting, he may choose to stand. The hand total he has will be competing with the dealer hand.

Split

When first two cards the player receives are of the same rank, he may split them into two separate hands. When splitting pairs the players are required to place an additional bet of equal amount to the initial bet. As a rule all ten valued cards may be split, however a combination of a ten and an Ace after a split is not a blackjack, but a total 21.

Double Down

In case the player after receiving first two cards has a strong feeling that one (ONLY ONE) additional card can make his hand a winning one, he may choose the Double down option by doubling his initial bet.

Insurance

In case the dealer up card is an Ace, all the players will be offered to insure their hands from a possible dealer blackjack by placing an extra bet sized as ½ of the initial bet. In case the feeling was right and the dealer does have a blackjack, the insurance bets are paid 2-to-1 and the initial bets are lost. If dealer doesn’t have a blackjack, you lose the insurance bet and continue playing your original bet.

Even Money

When dealer up card is an Ace, and the player has a blackjack, the dealer usually offers the even money bet. If you place the even money bet, you bet that the dealer also has a blackjack. In case he does, you tie (as you both have blackjacks) and you also get 2:1 pay for the even money bet.