Blackjack Rules
Blackjack is a game of skill. Although the basic rules are easy to learn, there are
many different  techniques and betting strategies to increase your chance of  winning.

Blackjack is played with one, two, four, six or eight decks of cards. In single and
double deck games the dealer holds the cards and deals them out. In multi-deck
games the cards are dealt out of a tray like box  called a shoe.

In hand held games the cards are dealt face down and the player is allowed to pick
up his cards. In a shoe game the cards are dealt face up to the player and the player
is  not allowed to touch the cards. The basic play for either game is the same.

The Objective
.The objective of the game is to beat the dealer. If your cards total higher than the
dealer's cards without going over 21 you win.  If your hand  hand goes over 21 you
"Bust."  If you bust you automatically lose. If the dealer busts and you do not, you win.
If the player busts he loses regardless if the dealer busts or not.

Card Values
The suits of the cards have no affect on the game. Cards 2 - 10 are counted at face
value without regards to their suit.  All face cards have a value of ten. An ace can
count as either one or eleven. A hand that does not have an ace is referred to as a
"Hard Hand" because it has only one value. A hand that contains an ace is referred to
as a "Soft Hand" because the value can change.

The Blackjack Table
Blackjack is dealt on a special table that is shaped as a semi-circle. There is a
separate circle or square for each player. Chips are used for betting.  The player puts
his bet in the betting circle if front of his space. Only chips put in the betting circle
count as your bet. After all bets are made the play begins.

The Play
Before receiving any cards, you must place a wager. Each player is dealt two cards
face up. The dealer receives one card face up and one card face down known as the
hole card. After the cards are dealt the dealer will ask each player in turn to make
their decision.

The dealer's holecard remains face down until your hand is completed. At this point,
the dealer turns over the hole card. If the hand totals 17 through 21 he must stand. If
the hand is 16 or under, the dealer must continue to take cards until either the hand
is over 16 or "bust" (totaling over 21). If the dealer's hand totals 16 including an Ace
valued at one (a "soft" hand) the dealer must take another card.

Blackjack is a solo game. Even though there might be 8 players at a table, there can
be no teamwork between the players. It is strictly a one on one game between the
player and the dealer. After all players are dealt the first two cards, the dealer will
ask each player in turn, from left to right if he wants more cards. The player decides
what to do depending on what cards he has and what cards the dealer has showing.

Player Options

Hit
To take a hit means that you want to draw another card.

Stand
When  you are satisfied with either your fist  two cards or after hitting, you signal the
dealer that you wish to stand.

Double Down
If you feel you need only one more card you may double your bet and then be
dealt one more card- good or bad. This option is possible only on the first two cards.
Some casinos restrict doubling to hands totaling 9, 10 or 11. Once you have chosen
to do this, click the "DOUBLE" button and you will be dealt a third card and no more.
Your hand will only consist of 3 cards.

Splitting
If you are dealt two cards of identical value you can then split them (i.e. 8,8 or 10,Q).
You would now be playing two separate hands of one card each. You will now be
dealt a second card to one of the hands. After this hand is played out, the second
hand will be dealt a second card and continued until that hand is played out. You
may double down on one or both of the new hands. You may only split your hand
once and a new wager equal to the initial wager will be placed for each split hand.
When Aces are split, only one card will be dealt per Ace. A split hand resulting in
Blackjack pays out at a ratio of 1-1 rather than the normal 3-2, and will lose to a
dealer’s Blackjack.

Surrender:
This option is offered in some casinos. On the first two cards, if you feel ou will be
unable to beat the dealer's hand you announce "surrender", the dealer then picks up
your cards and half of your bet but leaves the other half of the bet, thus, if losing, you
have saved half of your money. This option is mostly offered after the dealer checks
for blackjack, called "late surrender". In some casino's you must announce your
surrender decision before the dealer deals to the first hand.

Insurance
If the dealer's first card is an Ace, there is a possibility of a Blackjack. If you believe
the dealer has Blackjack you can buy insurance to protect yourself. If you choose to
insure yourself, you have to pay an amount equal to half your wager. If the dealer gets
Blackjack, the insurance will pay 2 to 1, which corresponds to your original stake. If
you have insured yourself and the dealer does not obtain Blackjack then you lose
your insurance but retain your original wager.

Insurance is considered a game of its own within Blackjack, and gives you a chance
to protect yourself from the dealer's Blackjack.

Card Counting
There are no explicit rules against card counting, though it is actively discouraged at
casinos and you can get banned for doing so.

If you beat the dealer straight up, then you receive your original bet back, plus the
amount of the original bet as your winnings. If you receive a blackjack (21), then you
receive 1.5X the amount of your original bet as your winnings.
Basic blackjack rules


1.  All cards are dealt face up. (Unless it's a
      one-deck game)

2.  The players are not to touch their cards   
   or the original bet on the table.

3.  All face cards (king, queen etc.) are ten    
     points.

4.  Aces are worth either one (hard) or           
     eleven (soft) points.

5.  The player wins if his hand has more       
     points than the dealer, without going        
      over twenty-one.

6.  The The player wins if his hand has         
     more  points than the dealer, without        
      going  over twenty-one.

7.   A winning blackjack pays 3:2

8.   All other winning bets pay even money.

9.   If both dealer and player have a                
       blackjack the bet is a push.

10.  A hand with points over 21 (a bust)
loses
A simple Strategy:

If your first cards total 12-16 you have a
"Stiff" hand. (one than can be busted with
a hit.)

If the dealer's up card is a 2 - 6, it is a
"Stiff" hand for the dealer.

If you have 17 or better it is a Pat hand and
you stand.

If the dealer shows a 7 -Ace, you consider
it a pat hand.

If you have a stiff and the dealer has a stiff
you STAND.

If you have a stiff and the dealer has a pat
hand you HIT
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