Online Blackjack Rules

The rules of Blackjack differ slightly from area to area and from casino to casino. For example, a casino in downtown Las Vegas may have different rules than one of the Strip casinos, which may have different rules from a casino in Reno or Tahoe. The rules in a casino in Freeport, Bahamas may differ from those in Atlantic City. Therefore, it is important to research the rules for the area and casinos you plan on playing in.

The Blackjack Table

The Blackjack table seats a dealer and one to seven players. The first seat on the dealer's left is referred to as First Base, and the first seat on the dealer's right is referred to as Third Base. A betting square is printed on the felt table in front of each player's seat.

Immediately in front of the dealer is the chip tray. On the dealer's left is the deck or shoe, and beside that should be the minimum bet sign, which you ought to read before sitting down to play. On the dealer's immediate right is the money drop slot where all currency and tips (chips) are deposited. Next to the drop slot is the discard tray.

Gameplay Procedure

Play begins after the following ritual is completed:

1. The dealer shuffles the cards.
2. The deck is "cut" by a player using the marker card.
3. The dealer "burns" a card.
4. Before any cards are dealt, the players may make a wager by placing the desired chips (value and number) into the betting box.

Occasionally, a player may sit out a hand or two for various reasons. Players might choose to sit out a couple of hands when the dealer seems to be getting extremely lucky and everyone is losing. If you attempt to sit out too many hands, especially if there are people waiting to play at your table, you may be asked to leave the table until you are ready to play.

Once all the bets are down, two cards (one at a time) are dealt from left to right. In many Las Vegas casinos, players get both cards face down. In Atlantic City and most everywhere else, the player's cards are dealt face up. Should the cards be dealt face-up, do not make the faux pas of touching them. They are dealt face up for a reason, primarily to prevent a few types of player cheating. The dealer receives one card down and one card up.

Card Values and Hand Signals

The numerical values of the cards are:

• 10, Jack, Queen, King: 10
• Ace: 1 or 11
• Other cards: Face value (e.g., 3 counts as 3)

Since a casino can be very noisy, hand signals are usually the preferred method of signaling hit, stand, etc.

• Hit: If cards were dealt face down, lightly flick the cards across the felt two times. If faced up, point at the cards with a quick stabbing motion. You may also nod your head "yes" while saying "hit".
• Stand: Move your hand from left to right in a level attitude with your palm down, a few inches above the table. Nodding your head "no" at the same time helps, while saying "stay" or "stand".

Decks and House Rules

Single-deck games are mostly restricted to Nevada casinos. In casinos that have one-deck games, the tables are usually full. Multiple-deck games typically consist of an even number of decks (2, 4, 6, 8), although a few casinos use 5 or 7 decks.

There are two main reasons many casinos use multiple decks:

1. They allow the dealer to deal more hands per hour, thereby increasing the casino take.
2. They reduce (but in no way eliminate) the player advantage gained from card counting.

Dealer Rules

The rules the dealer must play by are very simple. If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, they must take a card. If the dealer's hand is 17 or more, they must stand. Note that some casinos allow the dealer to hit on "soft 17" (an Ace and a 6), which gives the house a very small additional advantage. The dealer's strategy is fixed; what you and other players have is immaterial to them regarding hitting and standing.

Player Options

The player can do almost anything they want as far as hitting and standing goes. Should a player get a Blackjack (the first 2 cards are an Ace and a ten-value card), the payoff is usually 150% of the original bet (3:2). For example, bet $10.00 and the payoff is $15.00.

Doubling Down

Doubling down is restricted to 2-card hands, usually totaling 9, 10, or 11, although some casinos allow doubling down on any 2-card hand.

• Face Down: Turn your cards over and put them on the dealer's side of the betting square.
• Face Up: Point to them and say "double" when the dealer prompts you. Simultaneously put an equal amount of chips next to (not on top of) those already in the betting box.

The dealer will give you one more card only, then move on to the next hand.

Splitting Pairs

If you have a pair that you want to split:

• Face Down: Turn them over and place them a few inches apart.
• Face Up: Point to your cards and say "split" when prompted.

The original bet will go with one card, and you must place an equal amount of chips near the other card. You are now playing two hands. A notable exception is splitting Aces: you usually only get one card for each Ace. If that card is a ten, the total is 21, but it is not considered a Blackjack (paid 1:1, not 3:2).

Example of Play: Say you are dealt two fives. You split them. The next card is another 5, and you re-split them. Three hands have grown out of one, and you are now in for three times your original bet.

Suppose the next card is a six. One hand is a 5 and 6 (11). Another is just a 5, and the third is a 5.

1. You double down on the first hand (11) and get a 7 for an 18. You stand.
2. The second hand gets a ten (15). You stay.
3. The third hand gets a four (9). You double down and get an eight (17).

You started with a $20 bet and now have $100 on the table. It was dangerous to split fives because you replaced a hand (10) that is great for doubling down with what could be poor hands.

Insurance

Insurance comes into play when the dealer's up card is an Ace. The dealer does not check their hole card before asking if players want insurance. If a player wants insurance, half the original bet is placed on the "insurance" semicircle.

• If the dealer has Blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1 (covering the loss of the original bet).
• If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost, and the hand plays normally.

Strategy Tip: If you are not counting cards, decline insurance. The proper basic strategy is to decline unless the ratio of non-tens to tens drops below 2 to 1.

Surrender

Surrender is a fairly obscure option originating in Manila in 1958.

• Early Surrender: Allows players to quit a 2-card hand after seeing the dealer's up card but before the dealer checks for Blackjack. This offers a 0.62% advantage to the player.
• Late Surrender: The player must wait until the dealer checks for Blackjack. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the player may surrender and forfeit half their bet.

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