Classic Blackjack
Playing Classic Blackjack online is really easy. You can decide how much to bet by selecting from the different chip values displayed at the bottom of the play window. You then place bets by clicking the chip area on the table. It’s possible to click multiple times to increase the bet by the amount you have selected. For example, if you have selected the 0.05 bet then every time you click the chips area your bet will increase in 0.05 increments.
All bets can be cleared from play by clicking the clear button which can be found at the bottom of the window. If you want to start play then you can click the deal button and this will begin play.
Two cards will be dealt to you and the dealer. One of the dealers cards will be turned over and the second one will be dealt face down. If the dealer’s top card is an ace then you will be able to take insurance which will be discussed in more detail later on. Both of the cards that you have been dealt are face up and can be seen.
The total of the value of the cards in your hand will be displayed next to the cards. If your hand consists of two cards of identical value then you can also split them, this will also be discussed min more detail a little later.
If your hand consists of two cards which come to 21 – which is known as Blackjack – then the dealer will show both of their cards. If the dealer doesn’t also have a total of 21 then you will win 3:2 on the bet that you placed.
If the dealer also has Blackjack then you will receive your original bet back and the game will be ended. This is known as a push and happens whenever both you and the dealer have the same total score.
There are certain conditions which will affect when a dealer should draw an extra card. If the dealer is holding a total of less than 17 then they must draw another card as part of the rules of the game. If the hand is over 17 then they must not draw another card and must stand. This rule also applies if the dealer has a six and an ace card which is known as a soft 17.
The object of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible. If the total of your cards are currently less than 21, then you can either decide to click the hit button, or the stand button. Hit will result in you being dealt an extra card which will be added to your total. If you choose to stand then you will not receive any more cards.
You can continue clicking the hit button several times until you have reached a score where you want to stand. If you go over 21 then you will be bust and out of the game.
Classic Blackjack – Winning or Losing
If the dealer goes over 21 and as a result is bust then you will automatically win the game.
If the total of the cards in your hand are equal to or less than 21 and higher than the dealers then you will win.
The dealer will win if their hand is higher than yours without being over 21.
If you go over 21 and are bust, then you will automatically lose the game.
If both you and the dealer have the same total value then this is a draw. In Blackjack this is called a push and will result in the original bet staked being returned to you.
Classic Blackjack – Insurance
If the visible card of the dealers is an ace then you will be able to choose to accept insurance if you want. The insurance option is available before the dealer has taken a look at the face down card in his hand.
If you do choose to take the insurance option, then the dealer will take a look at the face down card without turning it over. Insurance costs half of the current bet that you have staked in the game.
If the dealer does have Blackjack then the insurance bet will be paid at 2:1, you will lose your original bet. However, if the dealer does not have Blackjack then you will lose your insurance bet (half the value of the stake) and the game will continue as normal. You will either win the main bet based on the outcome of the cards.
Classic Blackjack – Split
If both of the cards you are first dealt are the same value then you can also decide to split them. In this case you can place an extra bet which is equal to the same amount of the original stake. You can then play two hands as opposed to only playing one.
Each of the cards will become a new hand. You are only ever allowed to split once in the game, at the start, and if both the cards are the same value. It is not possible to continue splitting. In this case, if either of the hands you hold beat the dealer then you will be paid even on the original stake. It is not possible to call blackjack on a split hand; all winning hands will be paid at evens.
If the cards split are both aces then only one extra card can be drawn and added to these.
Classic Blackjack – Double
The double option can be selected if you wish to double your bet. This can be used if you hold a good hand and only want to add one card to it. However, when choosing the double option, you will only be able to add one additional card. You will give up the opportunity to hit further.
Classic Blackjack – General Rules
Any technical problems will void all bets and current play
Blackjack uses 6 decks of cards; these are shuffled automatically at the end of every game.
If players employ a good strategy, then the long-term average expected returns are 99.54%.
