Online Blackjack Rules

Playing the game

Blackjack may be played with between 1 and 8 card decks. A playing round begins with each player placing his bet in the betting circle directly in front of him. The dealer will begin playing with the player to his left, and will deal him 1 card; and then continue dealing 1 card to every player at the table and finally 1 to himself - face up. This is then repeated dealing a 2nd card to all player. The dealer's 2nd card is dealt face down.

When all players and the dealer have 2 cards, the delaer will again start with the player to his left, and ask if he requires further cards, which will then be dealt 1 at a time, until the player busts or shows that he would like to stand. Once all players have played their hands, the dealer will play his. The dealer must always play by certain house rules - that he will hit at a total of 16 and stand at 17 or more, and he has no free will to play otherwise. Once the dealer has played off his hand, he will pay off bets with better hands, collects those on worse hands and if a tie, 'pushes'. Should the dealer bust, all players automatically win - even those that did not. Players collect their winnings and make new bets when a new round begins.

Once all players are dealt their first 2 cards, the dealer asks each player, from left to right, if he requires more cards. The player then decides what to do depending on what cards he has and depending on what cards the dealer has showing. The options available for the player are as follows:

Stand: If the player is satisfied with his cards, he may signal that he does not want more cards. To indicate a stand, the player must wave his hand as if to wave the dealer away. In a 1-deck game, the player must put his cards face down under his bet.

Hit: If the player wants to take another card, he may continue to do so until he stands or busts. To indicate his wish, he must to hit, he must tap the table with his finger. In a 1-deck game, the player should scrape his cards lightly against the felt.

Double: If the player feels he need only 1 more card, he may double his bet and then be dealt 1 more card- good or bad. This option is only allowed on the first 2 cards. Some casinos restrict doubling to hands totaling 9, 10 or 11. To indicate a double, the player must place an equal value wager next to his original bet. In a 1-deck game, he must place his cards face up next to his bet.

Split: If the players' first 2 cards are of equal point value, he can divide them into 2 hands. Each card is then the first of a new hand. He must also place a bet of the same value as the first, for the second hand. He can re-split if the opportunity arises. Double after splitting is not always allowed. To indicate a split, the player must put the additional bet next to the original one.

Surrender: This option is only offered in some casinos. On the first 2 cards, if the player feels he will be unable to beat the dealer's hand, he announces his "surrender". The dealer then picks up his cards and half of his bet but leaves the other half of the bet, thus, if losing, he has saved half of his money. This option is usually offered once the dealer has checked for Blackjack, called "late surrender". Some casino's require that players must announce their surrender decision before the dealer deals to the first hand.

Online blackjack: When playing the game on the Webt, clicking the specific button signals all moves. ie: when wanting another card, the player must click the "hit" button etc.

Once all of the players are finished playing, the dealer plays his cards. The dealer has only the 2 options of hit or stand, and they are governed by a set of House rules. The rules generally state that if the dealer has 16 or less, he must take a card (hit) and if he has 17 or more he has to stand. Once the dealer has played his hand he collects losing bets, pays winning ones and "pushes" the ties. A round is then finished and a new one can begin.

Blackjack betting rules

All betting must be done before the first card is dealt.

The players win even money if they better the dealer, and win 3:2 for a Blackjack (ie $15 paid on a $10 bet).

Should a player split Aces, he is allowed to play only 1 card on each of the 2 aces. Should he then not get a 10 as his 2nd card it is not considered a Blackjack. These hands will beat a dealers hand if it totals 21, but lose if the dealer gets a Blackjack, and only pay even money if the player wins.

Insurance bets

An insurance bet is only offered if the dealers' face card is an Ace. In this instance, he will ask if any player wants insurance - which represents a side bet on the dealer having a card worth 10 as his face down card - meaning he has Blackjack. Should the player think the dealer has a 10, he may make the bet - an amount up to the value of his original bet and if he is correct, he will win 2:1 on his insurance bet. This bet has nothing to do with his original bet, and he will still have to beat the dealer's hand. If the delaer has the 10, the best the player can do is tie with a Blackjack of his own. Once all players have had a chance to accept or refuse insurance, the dealer will check the down card. If it is a Blackjack, the dealer will collect losing bets immediately, if not, the players in turn, may play their hands.

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