Online BlackJack
blackjack online is one of the most popular casino games in the world. The goal of blackjack online is to get your hand value closer to 21 than that of the dealer, without going over 21.
When blackjack online was first introduced in the United States it was not very popular, so gambling houses tried offering various bonus payouts to get the players to the tables. One such bonus was a 10-to-1 payout if the player's hand consisted of the ace of spades and a black Jack (either the Jack of clubs or the Jack of spades). This hand was called a "blackjack" and the name stuck to the game even though the bonus payout was soon abolished. As the game is currently played, a "blackjack" may not necessarily contain a jack or any black cards at all.
Game Details
- Only available in 'real money' mode.
- There are two game versions available - Min $1 to Max $50 and Min $5 to Max $200.
- 8 Decks in shoe, shuffled every hand
- Dealer draws to 16 and stands on 17
- Two splits allowed (3 hands)
- Double after split allowed
- Draw on split aces is not allowed
- Dealer checks for blackjack on Ace through Ten.
- The 'Insurance' option is offered to the player if the dealer has an Ace as their up card.
- It is possible that the dealer has a Blackjack if the dealer's up card is a 10, Jack, Queen or King. In this case the
player will lose unless they also have a Blackjack. The dealer will check whether a Blackjack is possible and will collect the losing bet immediately if they have a Blackjack.
Card Values
- The 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued as 10.
- An Ace can count as either 1 or 11
- The cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated.
- The suits of the cards do not have any meaning in the game.
Card Combinations
online blackjack - A total of 21 with your first 2 cards and can only be an Ace with a 10, Jack, King or Queen. It is not called a Blackjack if you split a pair (of Aces, 10s or face cards) and then get 21 one with the next deal, but is simply called 21.
21 - Any combination and number of cards that make a total of 21.
Soft Hand - A hand that contains an Ace is called a "soft" total if the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 without the total going over 21. For example (Ace, 6) is a soft 17. The description stems from the fact that the player can always draw another card to a soft total with no danger of "busting" by going over 21.
Hard Hand - The hand (Ace, 6, 10) is a "hard" 17, since now the Ace must be counted as only 1 (the value can not be changed). Also any hand that does not contain an Ace is called a "hard hand" as the value can not be altered.
Dealing
Once the initial bets have been made, the dealer will deal the cards. Both you and the dealer will receive 2 cards. You can see both of your cards and one of the dealer's cards. You will then have the option to surrender, hit, stand, double, split or pay insurance (see Player Choices for details). The Dealer's Hand
The dealer will stand on all 17s. The dealer must continue to take cards ("hit") until their total is 17 or greater. An Ace in the dealer's hand is always counted as 11 if possible without the dealer going over 21.
The player's options for playing his or her hand are
Hit - Draw another card.
Stand - Stop at the current total and take no more cards.
Double (Doubling Down) - This can only be done on a two card hand with a rank of 9 - 11 (before another card has been drawn). Doubling down allows you to double your bet but you can receive only one additional card to the hand.
Split (Splitting Pairs) - When you are dealt a matching pair of cards (numerical value, example: 6 and 6 or Queen and King) you have the ability to split the hand into two separate hands, and play them independently. You are allowed to split pairs 2 times during a game, except that you can not resplit on split Aces. When you split you bet the same amount as the initial bet again on the new hand/s (you will only be given the option to split pairs if you have enough money to cover the extra bets).
Insurance - If the dealer's shown card is an Ace the "Insurance" option will be offered and you can bet half your original bet amount. The dealer will check to see if their second card has a value of 10, and if they do have Blackjack, your winning Insurance bet will be paid at odds of 2:1. Insurance is a side bet that has no influence on the original bet. So if the dealer does have Blackjack you will win the Insurance bet but unless you also have Blackjack you will lose your original bet.
The player's turn is over after deciding to stand, doubling down to take a single card, or busting. If the player busts, he or she loses the bet even if the dealer goes on to bust.
After all the players have finished making their decisions, the dealer then reveals his or her hidden hole card and plays the hand. House rules say that the dealer must hit until he or she has at least 17, regardless of what the players have. In some casinos a dealer must also hit a soft 17 (a combination of cards adding up to either 7 or 17, such as an ace and a 6).
If the dealer busts then all remaining players win. Bets are normally paid out at the odds of 1:1.
Game Results
Blackjack - You have a total of 21 with your first 2 cards and can only be an Ace with a 10, Jack, King or Queen. Pays 3 to 2
Win - You have a better hand then the dealer or the dealer "busts".
Bust - If your card total goes over 21 then you "bust" or lose.
Dealer Wins - Your total is under 21 but the dealer has a better hand.
Push - If both you and the dealer have the same value hand - your bet is returned. |
