Playing blackjack

The object of the game is to draw cards with a value totalling 21, or as close as possible to 21 without going ‘bust’ and losing. Ultimately, a Player is aiming to hold cards totalling a higher amount than the cards held by the Dealer. Aces count as 1 or 11. Picture cards have a value of ten. All other cards are at their face value.

HOW TO PLAY
Once all bets are placed, the Dealer will deal two cards face up to each player and one to the Dealers own hand. Never forget you are always playing against the Dealer, the skill is how you assess your chances of beating their hand based on the cards you have and the single card the Dealer is showing! At this point, Players have the opportunity to take further cards to improve their hand. The idea is knowing when to ‘stick’ with your hand. If your hand exceeds 21 then you have ‘bust’ and lost your bet. This applies even if the Dealer also ‘busts’. Once all Players have had the opportunity to take further cards the Dealer will then complete their own hand. The Dealer’s have no say in the number of additional cards they may draw, but they must:

    1.Continue drawing cards until they have a score of 17 or more.
    2.Take no further cards once 17 or more has been achieved.

If your total is nearer to 21 than the Dealer’s then you have won and will be paid out at even money. Hands with an identical total to the Dealer are referred to as a ‘stand off’ you neither win nor lose. A total of 21 for your first two cards is known as Blackjack and it cannot be beaten. ‘Blackjack’ hands are paid out at one and half times your stake, unless the Dealer also has ‘Blackjack’, in which case it will be a ‘stand off’. Immediately the Dealer has finished with their own hand they will pay the winners and take the losers.

DOUBLING
A Player with a 2 card total (without an ace) of 9,10 or 11 has the chance to double their initial stake. A Player taking this option receives only one further card.

SPLITTING
A Player whose first two cards are of the same value may split them to produce an additional hand. This will require the addition of a stake identical to the initial wager. Split aces receive one card only and in the event of a winning total of 21 receive Even Money. Please note that 4’s, 5’s and 10’s may not be split.

MULTIPLE SPLITS
If the cards dealt to a split hand results in a further pair of cards of equal value. The resulting pair may be split again and may continue to be split if the resulting hand or hands contain cards of the same value.

INSURANCE BETS
A Player holding a Blackjack when the Dealer is showing an ace, may wager a sum of up to half their initial stake-that the Dealer will also get a Blackjack. If won this is paid at odds of 2-1 and the original bet is a stand off or they may accept even money before the Dealer draws a second card.

provided by Stanley Casinos