Here we describe the game of Blackjack, both in general and in specific relation to our game. Bear in mind that there are many variations to the game, depending on which continent you are in and which Casino you visit. Our game is loosely based on Brighton ‘Grosvenor Casinos’.
Object of the Game
The dealer stands behind the table, dealing cards from the shoe in a clockwise direction. Every player is initially dealt two cards each and the dealer one card. Each player's hand is played against the dealer's hand only. The player’s goal is to beat the dealer by obtaining a hand total that is equal to or less than 21 so that his total is higher than the dealer's.
You, as a player, determine when to hit, when to stand, when to split (if allowed) or when to double down (if allowed). The dealer has fixed rules governing his play. He must hit until he has seventeen or more
Card Values
Face cards have a value of 10 – over 30% of a full deck are ‘tens’. Aces count as 1 or 11. All other cards count their face value. The suits have no value in Blackjack.
Tip: The value of the ace seems to confuse some players. Always count the ace as eleven until a count of eleven will put your hand over twenty-one, then count the ace as one. Thinking of the ace in these terms will make adding your total card value easier.
Betting
Before you can play a hand, you must place your bet. In our game, the minimum bet is £1 and the maximum is £10. Place your bet by using the numeric spinner and pressing the ‘Place bet’ button when happy with the amount. The amount is then shown in the white text box next to the £ sign and your balance is decreased accordingly.
Number of Decks
Generally one to eight decks are used. The lower the number of decks is, the more advantageous it is for the player. Our game uses 1 deck, but this can be changed, if desired, with no effort.
Hit
Take another card
Stand
Stop taking cards
Split
If the first two cards dealt to you are cards of equal face value, you may split the pair combination. When you split, you effectively play two individual hands. The top hand is played out first, followed by play on the lower hand. To accommodate your split, you must place another bet, equal to your initial bet for the second hand. In our game the number of splits a player may perform is one.
Tip: If for example you have two 8s, it totals 16 which is not a good hand. It is better to split. If you have two 10s, it totals 20 which is very good. It is better not to split but to stand.
Double down
You may double down on a hand, which consists of two cards whose total is between 9 and 11 inclusive. As this move implies, you double your original bet. When you double down, you are dealt only one additional card to your hand.
Tip: It is generally advisable to double down when given the opportunity unless the dealer ‘shows’ a 10-valued card or an Ace.
Blackjack
When a player is dealt an ace and a 10-valued card on his first two cards it is called a "Blackjack" or "Natural" and generally is paid out at 3 to 2. In our game it pays 2 to 1
Busting
If a player's hand exceeds a total of 21, they have busted and lose the hand regardless of the dealer's total.
Push
If a player and the dealer have the same total, the hand is a tie or a push and no money changes hands. The only exception to this rule is that a Blackjack always beats a hand value of 21.
Shoe
The shoe is a plastic box that sits on the table holding the portion of the deck remaining to be dealt.
Game Play
To start a game, enter your name(s) in the small dialog box that appears and then place your bet(s). After that, press the ‘Deal’ button and… you are already playing. At the end of your play a message appears in the yellow text box informing you of your total. If you win the hand (you find that out at the end of the round), your winnings will be added to your balance.
Back To Details On The Game Of Blackjack
Further back to my game of Blackjack