Blackjack

Blackjack offers everything a player could wish for; easy rules, action and good chances of winning. Considered one of the oldest card games in the world, we are unsure of its origins. Similar games existed in 18th century France, including ‘21’ one of the most popular versions of the game. The game reached the US via French colonialists in around 1800, and quickly spread across the company until it earned its official name in the first half of the 20th century, when it became a hit.

In Blackjack, you need to know:

• The aim of the game is to achieve, or get as close as you can to 21 points, to beat the Bank but without going bust. The best possible hand is BlackJack, which is achieved with the player’s first two cards (Ace and a royal card or Ace and a 10).ç
• Every player plays against the Bank.
• The game is played with 6 sets of English decks of 52 cards.
• Each card is worth its numeric value, except for the royals (J, Q and K), which are each worth 10 points, and the Ace which is worth 1 or 11 points, at the player’s discretion.

First, each player places his bet in his box. Then, the dealer says “no more bets”. Then two cards are dealt face up to each player and one for the Bank. 

Players can ask for more cards until they reach 21 points or decide to stand. If a player exceeds 21, he loses and the dealer will remove his bets. Then the dealer deals himself a second card, and must deal another if he has 16 points or less; if he has 17 or more he must stand. 

All bets pay 1x1 and BlackJack pays 1.5x1. If a player ties with the Bank he neither wins or loses.

Once the dealer has dealt the cards, the following options are available:

Double: When a player gets 9, 10 or 11 points with the first two cards he is entitled to double his bet. In this case, he can only receive one more card. Doubling increases the initial bet twofold.

Opening or playing two hands: If the player receives two cards of equal value he may open two or more independent hands. To do so, he must place a stake equal to his initial bet for the second hand. Any number of cards can be used in a hand, as long as the hand does not exceed 21. 

• There is one exception: If a plays is dealt two Aces, he can only choose one card in each game. Also, when a player has two hands open he cannot get BlackJack, but the hand is counted simply as 21.

Insurance: If the dealer’s first card is an ace, players can insure against a possible BlackJack by the Bank. To do so, they must place an amount no greater than half of the initial bet on the insurance line. If the dealer makes BlackJack he must pay double (2x1) to each player who has bet on the insurance. If the Bank does not make BlackJack, all Insurance bets are withdrawn by the Bank.

You can bet on the other player’s hand: As well as betting on your own cards, players can also bet on the cards of any other player at the table. To do so, simply place your bet on the area belonging to the chosen player without exceeding the maximum bet per square. It is the player himself who continues to make decisions on asking for a card or holding. A maximum of 3 players can bet on any hand, with priority given to those sitting at the table.