Blackjack game rules

The main basic blackjack rules are listed below in alphabetical order -

Twenty-one (21)

- another name for blackjack and the maximum score before busting

Blackjack

- a hand containing an ace and a ten value card. This hand automatically wins at the rate of 3 to 2 bet for the player and even money for the dealer (house).

Burn Card

- after the blackjack dealer shuffles the cards, a player cuts the cards. The dealer finishes the cut and takes the top card off.

Busted hand

-is one where the value of your hand (cards) exceeds 21 - also called bursting or breaking .

Cards

- Blackjack is normally played with two to eight decks of cards with six to eight decks being the norm. With the exception of Nevada, very few casinos offer the single deck game.

Card Values

- aces can be counted as one or 11, picture cards as ten and all other cards are counted by their face value, that is the numerical value printed on the card.

Chips

- casino betting tokens, usually of $1, $5, $25, and $100 face values. Chips of $500 and $1000 dollars are also available for use in higher stakes games.

Dealers face down card , down card and hole card have the same meaning

- In some casinos the dealer takes his or her second card after all the players have made their decisions on their second card. In others, the dealer takes the second card but does not check a ten or ace face up hand to see if it is a blackjack until the play has finished. Where this play is adopted, you are at a disadvantage when you double or split as the additional money bet will be lost on the occasions when the dealer has a blackjack.

Dealers rules

- these are the casino's rules that govern how the dealer plays. He or she counts the ace as 11 if it produces a hand totaling 17 to 21 or 1 if, with other cards it adds up to six. The dealer must then draw cards until that hand totals 16 (most casinos) and 17 (in some where the hand contains an ace) or more.

Double down

- if you decide you need a fourth card you have to double your bet. In some casinos, doubling is permitted on your first two cards and only when their combined value is between 9 and 11 and in others only if the value is 10 or 11 and in some there is a nasty surprise for the unwary - double down on an ace and an 8 and then draw a 2 - they make you count it as 11 instead of 21!

Doubling Down after splitting

- After a player splits a pair, most casinos allow the player the option to double down on one or both of the hands, that is effectively doubling the original bet on that hand and in exchange the player gets only one extra card. Depending on the value of the second card drawn to lthe second hand, the player may also have the option to double down on that hand.

Drawing - see hit

First Base

- the first player to the left of the dealer

Hard hand - a hand that does not contain an ace or a hand where the ace is counted as one

Hit

- take another card from the dealer. If the cards are dealt face down, scrape the felt surface of the table with the cards whilst drawing them towards yourself. If the cards are dealt face up don't handle them. Simply scrape the felt on the table with your finger whilst drawing it towards yourself.

House Limits

- placards on the ends of the table indicate the house limits for maximum and minimum bets on games on that table

Insurance

- a bad bet unless you have been counting the cards and you are sure that more than 33% of the remaining cards are ten cards

No Hole Card (face down card) Rule

- Where this rule applies the dealer takes the second card after all the players have played their hands. This rule disadvantages players when they double or split as the additional money bet is lost when the dealer has a blackjack.

Pair

- two cards of the same face value

Payoffs

- is the settling of bets at the end of each hand. The dealer collects the loosing bets and then pays any winners. Bets are settled at even money except for a blackjack which pays at the rate of 3 to 2 bet except when the dealer also had a blackjack when it is a 'push' - neither wins.

Push

- occurs when both the dealer and the player have hands of equal value. Neither wins

Split

- when you are dealt two cards that are a pair you have the option of splitting your pair into two hands - you have to effectively double your initial bet. To split your pair into two hands, you must immediately turn the two cards face up, separate them, place them in front of your initial bet and then place a bet equal to the original bet behind the card to be part of the second hand. If the first card dealt for either hand is identical (in value) to the cards in the original split pair, you can split that pair again. Just remember, if you split aces, you can draw only one card to the ace and if you draw another ace you most definitely cannot split again. You can double down on either or both hands after splitting if your first two cards do not exceed 11 i.e. the card from the pair that was split and the first card drawn following the split.

Stand

- also called standing- play with the two cards you were dealt in the first instance

Standees

- are players not seated at a table and not having their own betting spot on the table. Some casinos allow them to place bets on the boxes of players seated at the table. They become sort of silent standing playing partners because the casino will not allow them to communicate with you regarding your play.

Suits

- There are no suits in the game of Blackjack.

Shoe

- the box that holds the cards and which the dealer deals from. Cards are usually dealt face up when the dealer uses a shoe.

Soft hand

- a hand containing an ace

Surrender

- if you think the dealer has an unbeatable hand you may surrender and only loose half your bet. (not available in too many casinos today).

Up card

- this is the card the dealer deals to him or herself face up.

Available Player Options

- Please refer to our winning blackjack strategy

Don't get caught on the Continent with an ace and an eight hand. If you draw a two they won't pay a blackjack. Their blackjack rules count your ace as one and call the score 11. I don't know if it applies to all combinations of ace, a number card and a hit card that can be added up to 11 but if the altercation I witnessed is any indication this appears to be the case. A bit bloody rough isn't it?

There are other quirky obscure rules at various casinos around the world but the last mentioned one is the worst surprise I've ever had.

Avoid the nasties - check the rules at the casino where you plan to play before you start to play!

Blackjack Game Rules