Blackjack is one of the most popular and recognized games in modern casinos.

What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is amongst the most popular and well recognized of modern casino games. It is a game between the player and the dealer. During a game of Blackjack cards are dealt from a deck of cards (called a shoe) that may contain anything from one standard 52-card deck to 6 such decks. The player will be dealt two cards. The Dealer will be dealt one card. In some casinos the Dealer is dealt two cards but only one is turned so that its value can be revealed. The card that remains face down is called the 'hole card.'

The object of Blackjack is to obtain a hand with the highest possible value without exceeding 21. All face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) have a value of ten and the Aces can have a value of one (1) or eleven (11).

If the player's initial two cards do not exceed or total 21 then the player can requested another card (called a 'Hit'.) If the player's hand does not go bust (exceeds 21) and still does not equal 21 the player may continue to request additional cards until he busts, reaches 21 or decides to 'stay.' If the player is dealt a Blackjack (an ace and a card of value ten) then the dealer will automatically lose unless his single card is an ace or a ten. If the player is dealt a Blackjack then he will not be allowed to draw further cards as he already has the best possible hand.

If the player goes bust the game is over and the dealer wins. Should the player reach 21 or stay the Dealer will draw another card. If the Dealer's hand is less then 17 in value the dealer must continue to draw cards until his hand's value exceeds 17 or goes bust. In the event of the dealer not going bust the value of the dealer and the player's hands are then compared. If the player's hand is stronger the Casino will pay the player twice the amount originally wagered. If the player wins on a Blackjack the player will be paid out 2.5 times his original bet.

Blackjack Features
The Increase button and Decrease button are used to adjust the size of your bet. The bet size can only be changed between games.

The Deal button starts a new game of Blackjack.

The Hit button causes the dealer to give you another card.

The Stay button ends your hand and moves the game onto the next phase (be it the completion of the dealer's hand or of your second hand.)

The Split button is only available if the first two cards dealt in your hand have the same value. The Split button causes this single hand to be split into two separate hands.

The Double button doubles your wager on your current hand. This is essentially a wager on your next card being sufficient to beat the dealer's hand. After pressing the Double button you will receive only 1 more card to complete your hand.

The Insurance button is only available when the Dealer's card is an Ace. Insurance is a bet against the Dealer getting Blackjack. The Insurance bet cost half as much as your original bet and will pay out 2 to 1 if the dealer gets Blackjack. .

Playing the Game
Playing Blackjack at the Casino is easy. Upon starting the Blackjack game for the first time you will be presented with the Blackjack table. The default minimum bet will already be placed on the table.

You can increase or decrease the amount you wish to wager with the Increase and Decrease buttons. The size of the column of Casino chips will change as you do this.

Once you have decided on the size of your bet you can start the game. Click on the 'Deal' button.

The Dealer will deal you two cards and deal himself one card.

As soon as the last card is dealt you will be able to decide whether to hit (take another card) or stay.

If your initial cards are an Ace and a card of value of ten then you have Blackjack and unless the dealer has an Ace or Ten you automatically win the game and are paid out 2.5 times your original bet.

If you draw another card (hit) and the value of your hand now exceeds 21 then you have gone 'bust' and have lost this hand. You may play again by clicking on the 'Deal' button.

If you are satisfied with your hand press the 'Stay' button to end the game. The dealer will now draw cards until his hand exceeds or equals 17 in value. If the dealer's hand exceeds 21 you win because the dealer has gone 'bust.' If the dealer's hand exceeds 17 in value but is less than 21 the value of the two hands are compared and the stronger hand wins.

If your hand is stronger than the dealer's you receive double your wager back. If not, you lose your wager and can play again.

Blackjack Rules
Like any other game Blackjack has certain rules. You may ask for up to five additional cards as long as the value of your hand does not exceed 21. If you go over 21 this is called a 'bust' and you automatically loose the hand. If you have not yet exceeded 21 after receiving seven cards you will automatically stay and the dealer will receive another card.

The dealer must stand on all 17 and draw on 16.

Face cards (the Jack, Queen and King) all have a value of ten in Blackjack.

An 'Ace' card may have a value of either 1 or 11. Any combination of cards that contains an Ace card and whose value does not exceed 21 is referred to as a 'soft hand'. An 'Ace' will adopt the value most beneficial for your hand. For example an Ace and eight will add up to 19 but if the player chooses to take another card that would cause the hand's value to exceed 21 the Ace will revert to a value of 1.

If you are dealt an 'Ace' and a card with the value of ten (a natural ten or face card) as your first two cards this is called Blackjack. You will automatically stay when you receive a Blackjack. If you beat the dealer with a Blackjack you are paid out at 3 to 2.

If you receive two cards of the same value (such as two 'Ace's or two fives or two tens) you may 'Split' your hand. This means that your pair is divided into two separate hands. You wager a second amount equal to that of your original wager on the second hand and are able to play both hands as normal.

If you have split a pair of aces and then draw a card with a value of ten then this is not counted as Blackjack. Such a hand would have a value of 21. It will beat any dealer's hand with a value of less than 21 and draw against all other Dealer hands except a Blackjack. This rule also applies to splitting pairs of cards with a value of ten. Should you split a pair of tens (or face cards) and then recieve an ace this hand is not counted as Blackjack.

If the value of your initial two cards is 9, 10 or 11 then you are allowed to 'Double.' This is a wager that your next card will be sufficient to beat the dealer's as-of-yet-uncompleted hand. Your wager is doubled but then so is the pay out if you win.

Insurance only covers your original bet. It does not cover any Double Down bet.