How To Play Blackjack

How To Play Blackjack

Take some of the pressure away from sitting down at a table for the first time or for the next time you plan to play blackjack. Join our resident beginner, Priestly, as he learns all about the ins and outs of how to play blackjack, from the history to introductory betting techniques. Gaming 101 covers blackjack strategies, hand signals, and some general casino etiquette.

Blackjack Overview

The game is played with one or more decks of cards and players are wagering that their hand will beat the dealer’s hand. Initially, the player and the dealer each receive two cards. The dealer exposes one card (up card) and the unexposed card (hole card) is tucked under the exposed card. If a player or the dealer is dealt a Blackjack, it is an automatic winner. The player blackjack is paid immediately (see table layout for odds) unless the dealer also receives a Blackjack, which would result in a tie or push. Players have the option of taking insurance when the dealer’s up card is an ace. Players may take additional cards (hits) to improve their two-card hand, with the objective being to get as close to 21 without going over. If the player’s hand exceeds a total of 21, it is an automatic loser. The dealer stands on totals of hard 17 and above (some games dealer stands on soft 17).

If the dealer’s hand breaks (over 21), all remaining players’ hands (totals of 21 or less) are automatically paid. If the dealer’s hand does not break, the dealer’s total and the player’s total are compared for a win, loss or push determination. (Note: The dealer’s hand is hit after the players’ hands.)

Blackjack Games Available

6 & 8-Deck Shoe Game
All players’ cards are face up
Players cannot touch cards

Terms Used In Blackjack

Blackjack

Blackjack is when a player’s first two cards are an ace and another card has a value of 10 (ten, jack, queen or king). The dealer pays the odds displayed on the layout unless the dealer also has Blackjack in which case it is called a “push” and neither party wins.

Push

When both the dealer’s hand and the player’s hand total the same and neither party wins.

Doubling Down

If you think you can win with only one more card dealt, you may double your bet for the same or a lesser value and receive one additional card only.

Splitting Pairs

If you are dealt two cards of the same value, you may split the cards into two separate hands and play each hand individually. You must bet the same amount as your original bet on each split hand. If you split aces, you get only one card on each ace. You may also double down on split hands. A player is allowed to split and/or double down on all types of Blackjack tables offered at Live! Casino & Hotel. However, each type of Blackjack game may have different rules or limitations regarding splits and double downs.

Insurance

If the dealer’s up card is an ace, you may take “insurance.” You are betting that the dealer’s down card has a value of 10 to make Blackjack. You may bet up to half of your original bet. If the dealer has Blackjack, your original bet loses and the insurance is paid at odds of 2 to 1. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the insurance bet is taken down.

Side Bets

STAX Super 4 Blackjack Progressive

A single $5 wager will qualify the player for five different progressive jackpots.

The STAX Super 4 Progressive wager wins whenever the Dealer gets Blackjack, or whenever the Dealer’s "up card" is an Ace. Place this optional side bet for unprecedented excitement and the chance to hit one of the multi-level jackpots.

Learn how to win and see the STAX Super 4 Blackjack Progressive Paytable on the STAX Super 4 Progressive page.

21+3 Wager

A 21 + 3 wager that the dealer’s up card and the player’s initial two cards will form a three-card Poker hand of a straight flush, three-of-a-kind, straight or a flush. For purposes of the 21 + 3 Wager, the rank of the cards shall be: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2. An ace may be used to complete a straight flush, a straight with a 2 and 3 or a straight with a king and queen but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards.

Round of Play

After each player and dealer have been dealt their cards, each player’s hand will be combined with the dealers upcard to create a 3 card poker hand. See below for qualifying hands and corresponding payouts.

In Bet

In Bet in Between is a unique Blackjack side bet that pays odds when the dealer’s upcard is IN BETween the player’s first two dealt Blackjack cards.