Black Jack
Black Jack was originated in France and is one the most popular casino
games in the world. The main objective is to get as close to 21 without
going over while still beating the dealer's hand. This is done by
counting up the value of the cards in your hand. There is a 6 deck shoe
in our Black Jack game. All cards numbered 2 through 10 are at face value.
All face cards are valued at 10 while an ace is valued at either 1 or 11
at the player's discretion. Hands containing an ace valued at 11 are considered
to be "soft" hands (i.e. A, 6 is a soft 17), while hands containing an
ace valued at 1 are considered "hard" hands (i.e. A, 6, Q is a hard 17).
A Black Jack hand is an ace and card valued at 10 (10, J, Q, K). A two-card
Black Jack always beats three or more cards, which equal 21.
Before receiving any cards the player must place a wager. Once the wager
is made the player is dealt 2 cards face up. The dealer is also dealt two
cards, one face up and the other face down. The dealer's "hole" card remains
face down until the players have completed their hands. At this point
the dealer turns over his hole card. If his hand totals a hard 17 through
21 he must stand. If his hand is 16 or under, the dealer must continue
to take cards until either his hand is over 16 or "bust" (which means over
21). The dealer must hit on a soft 16.
The player has many different betting and playing options...
BLACK JACK PLAYER OPTIONS
Hit:
This deals the player another card. If your 2 cards were to equal 10
you have nothing to lose by requesting another card since your total could
not exceed 21.
Stand:
This means that the player is satisfied with his hand and does not want
to risk another card.
Double Down:
A player, after being dealt his first two cards, is always given the
option to double the initial wager. Once you have chosen to do this, click
the "DOUBLE" button and you will be dealt a third card and no more. Your
hand will only consist of 3 cards.
Splitting:
If you are dealt two cards with identical value you can then split them
(i.e. 8,8 or 10,Q). You would now be playing 2 separate hands, each starting
with one of the two split cards. You will now be dealt a second card to
one of the hands. After this hand is played out, the second hand will be
dealt a second card and continued until that hand is played out. All regular
rules apply to each hand with the ability to double down. You may only
split your hand once and a new wager equal to the initial wager will be
placed for each split hand. A split hand Black Jack pays out at 1:1 rather
the normal 3:2.
Insurance:
If the dealer's first card is an Ace, there is a possibility that he
may have a Black Jack. The player can, if he believes the dealer's hidden
card is a 10, insure himself against Black Jack. If you choose to insure
yourself you have to pay an amount of half of your stake. If the dealer
gets Black Jack, the insurance will pay 2:1 which corresponds to your
original stake. If you have insured yourself and the dealer does not get
Black Jack then you lose your insurance. Your ordinary stake is settled
by whatever the dealer gets. Therefore, insurance is to be considered
a game of its own within Black Jack, and it gives the player a chance to
protect himself, when he thinks that the dealer will get Black Jack.
Payoffs:
Players win their wager if their total hand is higher than the dealer's
without going over 21. If the player busts, then the dealer wins the hand
before turning over a card. All hands that total less than the dealer's
hand lose. Hands that are equal in value will be considered a tie, or
a "push", and the player's original wager will leave the table. If the
player gets a Black Jack the payout will be at 3:2 rather than 1:1.
Black Jack Tips
Many books that teach Black Jack refer to a basic starting strategy.
We include one such system here for your reference that recommends when
to stop, draw, split and double down. There are many ways to play. Our
advice to everyone playing Black Jack is to study the game, develop your
own strategies, play well and consequently become a winner.
HIT/STAND
Hit until you get 12 - If dealer's card 4,5,6
Hit until you get 13 - If dealer's card 2 or 3
Hit until you get 17 - If dealer's card 7,8,9,10,A
DOUBLE DOWN
Double on 8 - If dealer's card 5 or 6
Double on 9 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6
Double on 10 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Double on 11 - Always Double on A2 to A5 - If dealers's card
4,5,6
Double on A6 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6
Double on A7 - If dealer's card 3,4,5,6
Double on A8 - If dealer's card 6
SPLIT PAIRS
22 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6,7
33 - If dealer's card 4,5,6,7
66 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6
77 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6,7
99 - If dealer's card 2,3,4,5,6
AA,88 - Always A2 TO A6 - If you can't double always hit
YOU HAVE AN A7
Double - If dealer's hand 3,4,5 or 6
Stand - If dealer's hand A,2,7,8
Hit - If dealer's hand 9 or 10
YOU HAVE AN A8 OR A9
If you can't double always stand
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