Casino Blackjack (Group 53)

Appendix A: Game Rules

Version 1.0

Appendix A: Game Rules

1. Game Objective:

• 1.1) The object of the game is to get a hand value that is closer to 21 than that of the dealer, without going over 21. Other players at the table are of no concern.

2. Card Values:

• 2.1) In blackjack, the cards are valued as follows:
  • 2.1.1) An Ace can count as either 1 or 11, and is assumed to always have the value that makes the best hand.
  • 2.1.2) The cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated.
  • 2.1.3) The 10, Jack, Queen, and King cards are all valued at 10.

3. Initial Bets:

• 3.1) Before each hand begins, all players place their desired bets on the table.
• 3.2) Most casino tables have a minimum and maximum bet.
• 3.3) Once the dealer starts dealing cards no player is allowed to touch their bet.
• 3.4) A player who leaves at this stage will forfeit his bet.

4. Dealing:

• 4.1) Once all the bets are made, the dealer will deal the cards to the players. He'll make two clockwise passes around the table starting at his left (the player's right) so that the players and the dealer have two cards each.
• 4.2) The dealer will flip one of his two cards over (exposing its value).
• 4.3) In all "shoe games", the players cards will be dealt face-up, and the players are not allowed to touch the cards.

5. Player's Turn:

The players look at their individual hands, and each player in turn (clockwise from the dealer) plays his hand.

• 5.1) Blackjack:

• 5.1.1) A "blackjack", or natural, is an Ace and any ten-valued card (totalling 21), with the additional requirement that these are the first two cards the player receives. If the player splits a pair of Aces for example, and then draws a ten-valued card on one of the Aces, this is not a blackjack, but rather a total of 21.
• 5.1.2) Anyone who is dealt a blackjack is paid immediately at one and a half times the amount of the bet (3 to 2) unless the dealer has an Ace or 10 value card showing.
• 5.1.3) If after all hands are played, the dealer also gets a Blackjack, there is a stand-off and neither the dealer nor the player(s) having Blackjack wins.

 

• 5.2) Insurance:

  • 5.2.1) If the dealer's first card is an Ace, it is apparent that there is the possibility of the dealer getting Blackjack. Therefore, when the dealer's first card is an Ace, the players will be given the opportunity to make an "insurance" bet before play continues. To take insurance is to wager that the dealer will get Blackjack.
  • 5.2.2) This bet is optional and may be up to one half of the player's original bet.
  • 5.2.3) In the event that the dealer does get a Blackjack, the winning insurance bets will be paid at the rate of 2 to 1.
  • 5.2.4) Only the original bet on each player's hand (not split or double down bets) which are not also Blackjacks will lose. If the dealer does not get a Blackjack, all insurance bets lose.
  • 5.2.5) A player who has a Blackjack may elect to accept an even money payout instead of making an insurance bet.

   

• 5.3) Splitting:

  • 5.3.1) A player whose first two cards are identical in value has the option of "splitting" them to make two hands.
  • 5.3.2) When doing this, the original bet must be duplicated.
  • 5.3.3) Each hand is then played normally except a player splitting Aces may only receive one card on each Ace.
  • 5.3.4) If the player get additional pairs (in the first two cards of a hand), most casinos will allow that player to re-split, making yet another hand.
  • 5.3.5) The most common rule allows a player to split up to 3 times, making 4 separate hands, with 4 separate bets.

   

• 5.4) Double Down:

  • 5.4.1) On any two cards which total 9, 10, or 11, the player may "double down"; that is, increase the bet by as much as the original bet, and agree to take only one more card.

   

• 5.5) Hitting/Standing:

  • 5.5.1) After a player has made any (available) decisions to take insurance, split or double down, the players may try to improve his hand by receiving additional cards.
  • 5.5.2) The most common decision a player must make during the game is whether to draw another card to the hand ("hit"), or stop at the current total ("stand").
  • 5.5.3) When a player goes over 21, the hand is "bust" and the dealer collects their bet, and removes their hand from the table immediately.
  • 5.5.4) A player may not hit any hand having a value of 21.

6. Dealer's Turn:

• 6.1) Once the players have completed their hands, the dealer's hand is played out. The rules of play for the dealer are strictly dictated, leaving no decisions up to the dealer.
• 6.2) The dealer must hit on any hand value of 16 or less, and stand on any 17 or more.

7. Paying Out:

• 7.1) Should the dealer "bust", all remaining players' hands will be paid accordingly.
• 7.2) Player's hands with the same total as the dealer's hands will be a stand-off. The player gets his money back.
• 7.3) In the event that the dealer's second card makes a blackjack, only the original bet will be collected by the dealer on all split and double down hands.
• 7.4) All winning bets are paid even money, except:
  • 7.4.1) Blackjack, which is paid 3 to 2 (when the player has a Blackjack & the dealer doesn't), and
  • 7.4.2) Insurance, which is paid 2 to 1 (when the dealer gets a Blackjack) and loses when the dealer does not get a Blackjack.
• 7.5) Any bet (inital bet, double down bet or insurance), which loses is collected by the dealer.
• 7.6) Once all bets have been taken or paid, the players may then place new bets for the next round of play.

This information has been sourced from Jupiter's Blackjack Manual.