Blackjack

At the table, you will always find a dealer, who plays against up to 7 players. The aim of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible with your cards, without busting – that is to say, exceeding 21. If you bust, you will immediately lose your bet. At the same time, you need to beat the dealer’s hand. If your hand wins, you will receive a payout.
The Blackjack Table – Key Details at a Glance
All the Important Details of the Blackjack Table Explained
For each seat, there is a box in which the player can place their bet. The cards are dealt directly next to this
In the standard version of the game, the dealer’s cards are dealt, with the second card’s value initially hidden
The betting limits of the blackjack table, and the payouts for winning and insurance
The card shoe – the dealer pulls the cards from here. In online games, this is done virtually
In the middle of the table, the main payouts and rules are clearly visible to players
In online blackjack, the player can select all available moves here
It is easy to understand the value of the cards in the game. All number cards have the same value, and the face cards, Jack, Queen and King always count as 10. The only special card value is the Ace. This can count as either 1 or 11. The value of the Ace is always in favour of the player.
The Value of each Card in Blackjack
If you win with more points than the dealer, or if the dealer busts, you get a payout of 1:1. This means that if you bet £10, you get that back, plus a £10 profit, making the total payout £20. On the other hand, if you finish the game with less points than the dealer, or if you bust, you will lose your bet. If your first 2 cards equal 21, with an ace, plus a 10, jack, queen or king, then you have “blackjack”. In this case, you immediately win with a payout of 3:2. So if you bet £10, you get this back, plus £15 profit, making a total payout of £25.
Step by Step Instructions of how to Play
Each round begins by the dealer announcing that players should place their bets. Anyone who wants to play must place a bet, which is within the minimum and maximum tables limits. A player can alternatively opt to sit out of a game, say if they perhaps want a break for a cigarette or a drink.
After all bets have been placed, the dealer commences to deal the cards. First each player receives one card, then the dealer deals one card to themselves. Then each player is dealt a second card. The dealer’s second card is dealt face down, so that the value is initially hidden.
The Player’s First Decision – Insurance or Not?
When the Dealer has an Ace, the Player can Place an Insurance BetDepending on the cards, a player can choose from 1 of 4 options – Hit, Stand, Double or Split. However, before making this decision, there may be the possibility to place an insurance bet. This type of side bet is only available if the dealer’s first card is an Ace. In this situation, the dealer has a chance of getting blackjack, as their second, hidden card could have a value of 10. You can insure yourself against the dealer having blackjack, by betting a value of half the original bet. These chips are usually placed on the part of the table marked “Insurance pays 2:1”. If the dealer does not have blackjack, then the insurance bet is lost, and you continue to play your hand. Whereas if the dealer does have blackjack, your initial bet, and the hand is lost. However, you do win your insurance bet, with a payout of 2:1.
The Standard Options: Hit and Stand
The Standard Choices in Blackjack are Hit and StandEach player then has the option to “hit”, by taking another card, or to “stand” with the score on their 2 cards. If you are unsure which option is the best choice, you can find further advice on our dedicated blackjack strategies page. There is no limit to the amount of cards you can draw. You will often find that you have sufficient points with 2 or 3 cards. Yet it is possible in some instances to draw up to 5 cards without busting. Once you decide to stand, i.e. not draw anymore cards, you must wait for the other players to play their hands. It is only once all the other players have completed their turns that the dealer will turn over their hole card. They will then take another card, or stand according to fixed rules.
Split and Double
There are two more options open to players – “split” or “double”. However, there are limitations as to when these options are available.
Cards with the Same Value can be Split into 2 Hands by Placing an Additional BetIf your first 2 cards are of equal value, this includes 2 different face cards, then you have the choice to split the cards into two separate hands. In order to do this, you need to place another bet, equal to your first. You then continue to play each hand independently of one another. You can continue to draw as many additional cards to each hand as you wish, but you do not have the option to split again. When playing this option, an ace and a face card equals 21, not blackjack. Therefore, the payout for such a hand would be 1:1, rather than 3:2.
After the first 2 cards have been dealt, the player has the option to double their bet. This can enable the bet to exceed the maximum table limit. Once “double” is chosen, just 1 more card is dealt to the player. There is no option to hit another time. The option to double down is also available on split hands, but again, only 1 additional card per hand will be dealt.
Card Drawing Rules for the Dealer and the Payment of Winnings
Once all players have finished their turn, it is time for the dealer to play their hand, and ultimately determine the result of the game. The dealer must follow a strict set of rules regarding whether to hit or stand, and in essence, the dealer himself has no real choices to make. To start, the dealer will turn over their hidden shoe card. If the value of the cards totals less than 17, then they must draw another card. You will see this rule imprinted on the actual blackjack table. It is usually expressed as “Dealer must stand on all 17s”. As soon as the dealer has 17 or more, they will stand. If the dealer is bust (i.e. the hand exceeds 21), then all other remaining players will automatically win. If the dealer has between 17 – 21, the score is then compared with the other players.