Blackjack – how to play guide

Blackjack is one of the easiest and fastest games to play, so you can enjoy yourself and make some money at the same!

Card Values

Firstly all cards from 2 through to 9 are worth their face value. An Ace card can be used to have a value of either 1 or 11 depending on your situation. The 10 card along with all the face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth 10.

Now you’ve got the basics, here are the rules of the game.

Card Combinations

Blackjack – This combination is a total of 21 with your first 2 cards and can only be an Ace with a 10, Jack, King or Queen. Blackjack cannot be called if you split a pair (of Aces, 10s or face cards) and then get 21 one with the next deal, but is simply known as calling 21.
21 - Any combination and number of cards that make a total of 21.
Soft Hand – This hand contains an Ace and is called a ‘soft’ total if the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 without the total going over 21. An example is Ace and 5 which would be a soft 16. This description comes from the fact that a player can always draw another card to a soft total with no danger of ‘busting’ by going over 21.
Hard Hand - The hand (Ace, 6, 10) is a ‘hard’ 17, since now the Ace must be counted as only 1 (the value can not be changed). Also any hand that does not contain an Ace is known as a ‘hard hand" as the value can not be changed.

Dealing

Once a player has made their initial bets, the dealer will deal the cards. Both you and the dealer will receive 2 cards. You will be able to see both of your cards and one of the dealer's cards. You then have the option to surrender, hit, stand, double, split or pay insurance.
The dealer will always stand on all 17. However the dealer must continue to ‘hit’ until their total is 17 or higher. An Ace in the dealer's hand is always counted as 11 if possible without the dealer going over 21.

Game Results

Blackjack - You have a total of 21 with your first 2 cards and can only be an Ace with a 10, Jack, King or Queen. This hand pays 3 to 2
Win - You have a better hand than the dealer or the dealer ‘busts’.
Bust - If your card total goes over 21 then you "bust" or lose.
Dealer Wins - Your total is under 21 but the dealer has a better hand.
Push - If both you and the dealer have the same value hand. In this case your bet will be returned.

Tips
Hit - Draw another card.
Stand - Stop at the current total and take no more cards.
Double or ‘Doubling Down’ - This can only be done on a two card hand with a rank of 9 - 11 (before another card has been drawn). Doubling down allows you to double your bet but you can receive only one additional card to this hand.
Split (Splitting Pairs) - When you are dealt a matching pair of cards, for example - same numerical value or ‘two face cards’ - you have the ability to split the hand into two separate hands, and play them independently. You are allowed to split pairs twice during a game, however you can not re-split on split Aces. When you split you will be betting the same amount as the initial bet again on the new hand(s) (you will only be given the option to split pairs if you have enough money to cover the extra bets of course!).
Insurance - If the dealer's shown card is an Ace the "Insurance" option will be offered and you can bet half your original bet amount at this point. The dealer will check to see if their second card has a value of 10, and if they do have Blackjack, your winning Insurance bet will be paid at odds of 2:1. Insurance is a side bet that has no influence on the original bet. So if the dealer does have Blackjack you will win the Insurance bet, however if you do not have Blackjack you will lose your original bet.