Placing a bet
Before any cards are dealt you will need to place a bet. The minimum and maximum bets allowable can be altered by using the Min/Max prompt on the game screen or by going to Options and changing the Bet Level.
To place a bet simply select the required chip value from the bottom right of the screen and click in the bet marker - the card shaped area on the table. You can choose to play in just one position, two or all three. You can also vary your stake for each position.
Starting the game
Once you have placed your bet(s), click 'Deal' and both you and the Dealer will be dealt two cards. If you are playing in more than one position you will be dealt two cards for each position. For this example we will assume you're playing just one hand.
Your two cards will be dealt face up and a number will appear next to the cards - this is your current hand value. Remember if you have an Ace it will count as 1 or 11, so for example an Ace and a 5 will show as both 6 and 16. The first Dealer card will be dealt face up, the second face down. Once all cards have been dealt you will have a number of options:
Hit
Hit is a request to be dealt another card. Once this has been dealt, your new hand total will displayed. You can hit as many times as you like until you either decide to hold, get 21 or go bust.
Stand
Stand means no more cards. If you choose this option, your hand will stay as it is.
Double
If your first two cards total 10 or 11 you'll have the option to double your initial stake. If you decide to double, your stake is increased by the original amount and you will be dealt only one more card.
Other options may be available depending on the first two cards dealt:
Split
If you have two cards of the same value, you will be given the opportunity to split the cards. If you choose to do this your initial cards will be split into two separate hands and each hand will continue to play as before. Note also that your original stake will be duplicated so you will be playing two hands, each with the same stake. An arrow will indicate which hand is to be played first. There are two general rules for splits:
- A winning 21 obtained after splitting a pair pays 1 to 1 and is beaten if the Dealer has Blackjack.
- If you split a pair of Aces, only one additional card is dealt to either hand.
- You may not double after a split.
Insurance
The first card dealt to the Dealer is always dealt face up. If this card is an Ace the Insurance option will become available. Insurance is essentially a bet that the Dealer's second card will produce Blackjack and requires a stake of half your original bet. If the Dealer does not have Blackjack this side bet is lost and the game continues. If he does your side bet pays out 2 to 1 but your main bet will be lost unless you also have Blackjack. The Dealer will check for Blackjack if his first card is an Ace and insurance is taken.
Seven Card Charlie
If you create a hand of seven cards without busting you will automatically win the hand. This is known as Seven Card Charlie and pays out at 1 to 1.
Played with one deck of cards
Insurance is offered if the Dealer shows an Ace
Double available if first cards total 10 or 11
Blackjack pays 3 to 2
