BLACKJACK
The goal of the game is to obtain a total of 21 or as near to 21 as possible without going over 21. Everyone plays against the dealer (the house), who deals two cards to each player and one card to the house at the start of the game.
The Game’s Primary Rules
- PAIR BETS: Before getting any cards, you can place an optional ‘pairs’ bet, which pays out if both of your first two cards are of the same rank. The payout signage is posted on each table.
- SPLIT: You can “split” two cards of equal value into two different hands if you are dealt two cards of equal worth. If you split your bet, you must equal your original wager. A pair can be divided up to three times (making 4 separate hands). Except when splitting aces, you can take as many ‘hits’ as you want on each hand. Aces can only be divided once, and each hand will receive only one card. There are no more cards to be drawn, and you can’t split even if you get another ace. If you get a picture card, you’ll get a ’21’ instead of a Blackjack. Remember that each hand must be completed before any cards from the other split hand can be dealt (s).
- DOUBLING OR DOUBLE DOWN:Only before receiving the third card to his or her hand, a player may choose to double any two cards (excluding Blackjack and 21). Only one new card will be dealt, and an additional bet equal to the initial stake must be put. After’splitting’ a pair, you can also ‘double down.’
- SURRENDER: After the first two cards are dealt, the player has the option to ‘Surrender.’ If they opt to Surrender, they will lose half of their bet and their cards will be withdrawn. Surrender is not permitted when the dealer’s initial card is an ace.
- INSURANCE: When the dealer’s first card is an ace, the player may place an additional stake (up to half of his or her original bet) to defend his or her original bet from the Dealer’s possible Blackjack. The player’s bet will lose if the dealer makes Blackjack, while the insurance bet will win 2 to 1. The insurance stake loses if the dealer does not make Blackjack, and the game continues. When the dealer’s first card is an ace and the player has Blackjack, the player has the option of accepting even money.
- DEALER HAND: With the exception of the dealer card revealed soft 17, such as a hand having an Ace plus one or more cards totaling 6 (Ace +6, Ace +5, etc.), we should draw until we reach 11 as described above.
OPTIONS
⦁ Players are in charge of deciding whether or not to add more cards to their hands.
⦁ Only hand signals will be accepted by the dealer.
⦁ To avoid any misunderstandings or errors, it is important that ALL players use hand signals to communicate their decisions.
⦁ Surrender is shown by moving the index finger from side to side, palm down behind the cards, and vocal confirmation.
⦁ Tap on the table behind the hand where further card(s) are to be pulled to signal HIT / Draw card.
⦁ A small horizontal motion with the open hand, palm down, indicates STAND.