Blackjack game

Blackjack is a game with some of the best odds in the casino, owing to both the 3 to 2 Blackjack payout and doubling down.

Also known as twenty-one, at its most basic it is an attempt to get a total value of cards worth twenty-one or lower, and which is higher than the dealer's total. If anyone goes over 21, they would automatically lose, and if they were dealt 21 or a Blackjack as their original hand, they would automatically win. This guide assumes you understand the general flow of the game and you are playing under traditional casino conditions where the dealer hits on soft 17 and doubling soft hands is allowed.

Options for Play

Here is a breakdown of the various options available to the player during play:

  • Hit - Requests the dealer to deal you another card. Unless your hand totals or exceeds 21, you may request as many new cards as you want. If you go over 21, your hand is considered a bust, your bet is lost, and you withdraw from play until the next hand.
  • Stand - Used when you no longer wish to receive any more cards. Once you stand, you are effectively signaling you are ready to end the game and have your cards compared against the dealer's.
  • Split - If the hand you are dealt starts as a pair (any two cards of the same value, including non-identical face cards that are both worth 10) you may split them into two separate hands. After telling the dealer you wish to split, you must place an identical wager to your original bet into the betting area. The dealer will then separate your hands and deal their respective additional cards. You then play the independent hands until they've both Doubled, Stood, or Busted.
  • Double - Most casinos will allow you to double on any starting hand, while others only allow it on values of 10 or 11. In addition, they may or may not allow it on split hands. After telling the dealer you wish to double, you must place an amount equal to your original bet in the betting area. The dealer will then deal out the final card you are allowed for the hand. When doubling, no further actions are permitted after this, and you are basically considered to be in a Stand state.
  • Surrender - Depending on the casino, you may have the option to surrender on some hands. When you surrender, half of your wager is forfeited, the other half is returned, and you effectively drop out of the hand.