Played on up to 3 hands.
Dealer must stand on 17 and draw to 16.
Hit – Player draws another card (and more if he wishes). If this card causes the player’s total points to exceed 21 (known as “breaking” or “busting”) then he loses.
Stand – If you stand, you elect to draw no more cards in hopes that the current total will beat the dealer.
Double Down – If the player considers they have a favourable hand, generally a total of 9, 10 or 11, they can choose to ‘Double Down’. To do this they place a second wager equal to their first beside their first wager. A player who doubles down receives exactly one more card face up and is then forced to stand regardless of the total. This option is only available on the player’s two-card starting hand. Some casinos will restrict which starting hand totals can be doubled.
Blackjack – If the player makes a total of 21 with the first two cards (a 10 or a face and an Ace), he wins automatically. This is called ‘BlackJack’. If the player has BlackJack, he will win 3:2 times the bet unless the dealer also has BlackJack, in which case it is a Push and the player gets the bet back.
Insurance – Side bet with value of half the initial bet against the dealer having a natural 21 – allowed only when the dealer’s showing card is an Ace. If the dealer has a 10 face down and makes a Black Jack, insurance pays at 2:1 odds, but loses if the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack.
Split – The player can split the initial two-card hand into two and play them separately – allowed only when the first 2 cards are of same value.
Even Money – When the player is dealt a natural Black Jack and the dealer’s showing card is an ace, even money possibility (with 1:1 payout ratio) will be offered by the dealer.
