Blackjack Guide

Objective
To come as close to 21 without going over (busting). If the value of your hand is closer to 21 than that of the dealer, you win. If the value of the dealer's hand is higher than yours, you lose. If the hands are of equal value, the hand is a push and your money is returned.

Saving games
If a player loses his or her internet connection or closes the browser window, the game in progress will be stored, giving you access to the intact game the next time the game is opened.

Note: On Aces you can only split once and cannot hit

Card value: Cards are worth their face value with the exception of Kings, Queens, and Jacks (worth 10 points) and Aces, worth 1 or 11. You do not need to specify the value of the Ace; it's always assigned the value that gives you the best hand.

Blackjack: When the first two cards dealt to the Player or Dealer total 21 points, someone has Blackjack and the game ends.

Bust: If the total value of cards for either the Dealer or the Player exceeds 21, they bust and lose the hand.

Hit: Request a hit to have another card dealt. You can hit as many times as you want, until you reach 21 or bust. The Dealer is required to hit on 16 or below.

Stand: No more cards are dealt and the hand is judged as is.

Split: If the Player's first two cards are of the same value (i.e. 7, 7, or Jack, Queen), you may split them into two separate hands by placing a second wager of equal value. Play each hand separately; if you lose on one hand, you can still win on the other hand(s).A hand totaling 21 after splitting aces is considered 21, not Blackjack. A Player can only split once on aces and cannot hit on split aces.

Double: When a Player has been dealt the first two cards and believes that the third card will allow him or her to beat the Dealer’s hand, they can double the wager (double down). One more card is dealt and then the Player’s hand automatically stands.

Push: When the Dealer’s cards and the Player’s cards have equal value, neither win. A push can only occur when the card total is between 17 to 21 because if the Dealer’s cards have a lower value, the Dealer is required to hit.

Surrender: If a Player hits surrender, 50% of the current bet will be returned and the other 50% will go to the house. You can only surrender right after the first cards are dealt.

Insurance: If the Dealer is showing an Ace and the Player believes the Dealer’s hole card (face down) value is 10, the Player may place a side bet by purchasing insurance. By purchasing insurance, the player is wagering that the Dealer will have a natural 21. If the Dealer does, insurance pays 2-1. If not, the bet is lost but the hand continues. If you wish to take insurance, simply click yes when prompted.

Soft Hand: A hand that contains an Ace counted as 11 is called a Soft Hand.

Hard Hand: A hand without an Ace, or with an Ace valued at 1 is called a Hard Hand because it can only be assigned one value, unlike a Soft Hand.