How to Play BlackJack

In the game of BlackJack, you are competing against the Dealer (the House). The goal in BlackJack is to end the hand with a higher numerical total than the Dealer, without going over 21.

To start the game, you must first place your bet. This can be done by clicking on either the demo money $1 chip, $5 chip, $25 chip or $100 chip, to reach your desired bet amount. The minimum bet is $1 and the maximum bet is $500. Once you have finished placing your bet, push on the "Deal" button to proceed with the hand. Remember, once the deal begins you may not change your bet.

Both you and the Dealer are each dealt two initial cards. The Dealer deals the playing cards from a "Shoe" containing four decks. You receive both cards face up. The Dealer receives one card face up and the other face down.

If you have a natural BlackJack (a combination of an Ace, along with either a 10, Jack, Queen or King) you win the hand automatically and are paid 3 to 2 (unless the Dealer also has BlackJack?in which case the hand is a tie or Push). If you do not have BlackJack, you may draw (Hit) as many additional cards as you wish. You may choose to stop receiving additional cards at any time (Stick). If a card is drawn that puts you over 21 (a Bust), your bet is collected immediately. The Dealer will then receive their additional cards (if necessary). The Dealer must always Hit if they have 16 or under and Stick if they have 17 or over. If the Dealer Busts (and you have not), you win automatically. Otherwise, a winning hand must be of a higher numerical value than the Dealer's.

During the course of the hand you may add to your initial bet through "Doubles", "Splits", and "Insurance" (described below). After the cards are dealt, you will be offered the appropriate options. Buttons located on the lower left side of the screen will appear in order to facilitate the player's desired action (Hit, Stick, Double, etc.) For example, if it is possible to Split two cards a button will appear to allow the player to Split their cards. The player simply clicks on the "Split" button, in order to Split their cards.

"Double": A player may select the "Double" option after being dealt their first two cards. The Double option automatically doubles the bet and deals one card only, face up. The player cannot draw any additional cards beyond the required one (which is dealt automatically). The player may Double Down on any first dealt two cards or after Splitting a pair.

"Split": If the player is dealt any pair of cards, other than Aces, on the first two cards (i.e., two Fives, two Jacks, etc.), the player may Split the cards into two separate hands. The Split option automatically places an additional bet, equal to the original wager. Each hand is then played out independently, and the player may take as many additional Hits as desired on each hand (with the exception of Aces, which receive one additional card only, per hand). In the case of Split Aces, a player's BlackJack is not possible and is considered as a regular 21. In this case, a Dealer's BlackJack wins, and a Dealer's 21 becomes a "Push".

"Insurance": If the Dealer shows an Ace, the player has the option of making an "Insurance" bet. This equals half the original bet, and ensures that the player will not lose their original wager should the Dealer be concealing a 10 or face card under their Ace. If, in fact, the Dealer's Down Card is equal to 10, the player wins the Insurance bet at odds of 2-1. If the Dealer's Down Card has a value of less than 10, the player's Insurance bet is collected and the hand continues normally.

"Push": A Push refers to when the Dealer's and the player's hands are of the same numerical value. In this event the round is considered a draw, and the player's bet is left on the table and may be retrieved by the player.

Payoff:

Table Betting Limits:

Minimum Betting Limit: $1.
Maximum Betting Limit: $250.
The Betting Limits may change according to 888.info's discretion