The objective of Live Blackjack is to achieve a higher card count than the dealer, but without going over 21. The best hand is Blackjack – when the sum of values of the first two dealt cards is exactly 21.
1.1 Definitions
Blackjack
An ace and an additional card with a point value of ten, dealt as the initial two cards to a player or the dealer.
Hidden card
A card dealt face down to the dealer, which remains face down until all the players other than the dealer have received all the cards they have requested.
Layout or table layout
The felt, cloth, or other material covering the playing surface of a blackjack table.
Soft total or soft point count total
The total point count of a hand containing one or more aces when one ace is counted as eleven in value.
1.2 How to Play
The game is hosted by a dealer and allows up to 7 seated players.
The game is played with eight standard 52-card decks.
Card values are as follows:
Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value.
Face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are each worth 10.
Aces are worth 1 or 11, whichever is more favourable to the hand.
Before the first card is dealt for a round of play, the player must place his bet.
After the betting time has expired, the dealer deals one card face up to each player. Dealing starts with the first player to the dealer’s left and continues clockwise, ending with the dealer. The dealer then deals a second card face up to each player and face down to himself.
Blackjack
If the value of the initial two-card hand is exactly 21, it’s a Blackjack.
Insurance
If the dealer’s first card is an Ace, you are given the option to purchase insurance to offset the risk that the dealer has blackjack – even when you have blackjack yourself. The amount of insurance is equal to one half of your main bet. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the round continues. If the dealer has blackjack, but you do not, the dealer’s hand wins. If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push and your bet is returned.
Double Down, Hit or Stand
A casino may allow a player to double down on the player’s hand, which is to make an additional wager, not exceeding the player’s original wager, on the first two cards dealt to the player. One additional card only must be dealt to the hand on which the player has elected to double down.
Alternatively, player can decide to Hit to be dealt an additional card to add to the value of your hand. The player can hit more than once to receive additional cards before you decide to Stand once you are satisfied with the value of your hand.
Split
If the first two cards dealt to a player are identical in value, the player may split the hand into two separate hands by making a wager on the second hand equal to the player’s original wager. If a player splits pairs, the dealer must deal both second cards to each hand. After an additional card is dealt to a split pair, the player must stand or draw. A player may not split pairs, including pairs of aces more than once. At the discretion of the casino, a player splitting aces may have only one card dealt to each ace. In the event of splitting aces where the player gets a second card with a value of 10, it will count as 21 and not Blackjack.
1.3 Outcome
If the sum of your hand exceeds 21, you bust and lose your bet on that hand.
When all players have taken their turns, the dealer reveals the value of his downcard. The dealer must hit on a hand of 16 or less and must stand on a hand of soft 17 or more.
Player wins when the value of your final hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s or when the dealer busts. If the value of your hand is the same as the dealer’s, the game round ends in a push and your bet is returned.
Blackjack beats a hand of 21 comprised of three or more cards. Blackjack also beats a hand of 21 resulting from a split pair.
A wager is returned to the player when the sum of the value of the player’s cards is equal to the sum of the value of the dealer’s cards or when both the dealer and the player have blackjack.
1.4 Side Bets
The Blackjack game includes optional side bets – Perfect Pairs and 21+3. Player may place side bets in combination with your main blackjack bet. Players has the chance to win on any side bet regardless of whether you win or lose on your blackjack bet.
Perfect Pairs
The Perfect Pairs bet gives the chance to win if your first two cards comprise any pair – for example, two Queens, two Aces or two 3s. There are three types of pairs, each with a different payout:
Perfect Pair – same suit, e.g. two Aces of Spades.
Coloured Pair – different suits of the same colour, e.g. 2 of Diamonds + 2 of Hearts.
Mixed Pair – different suits, e.g. 10 of Hearts + 10 of Clubs.
21+3
The 21+3 bet gives the chance to win if your first two cards plus the dealer’s card face up comprise any of the following winning combinations, each with a different payout:
Suited Trips – an identical triplet, e.g. 3 Queens of Hearts.
Straight Flush – in numerical sequence and same suit, e.g. 10, Jack and Queen of Diamonds.
Three of a Kind – same value but different suits, e.g. any 3 unmatching Kings.
Straight – in numerical sequence but different suits, e.g. 2 of Spades + 3 of Clubs + 4 of Hearts.
Flush – same suit, e.g. 2, 6 and 10 of Clubs.
1.5 Payouts
Blackjack pays 3:2
Winning hand pays 1:1
If the dealer has blackjack, insurance pays 2:1
Perfect Pairs:
- Perfect Pair 25:1
- Coloured Pair 12:1
- Mixed Pair 6:1
- Suited Trips 100:1
- Straight Flush 40:1
- Three of a Kind 30:1
- Straight 10:1
- Flush 5:1