Blackjack

For the real deal, head on over to one of our table games. With the luck of the draw, a throw of the dice, or a spin of the wheel, you could win big! From the thrilling action of Blackjack, to the exhilaration of Roulette and Craps, these exciting table games are waiting to give you a piece of the action! If you love specialty games, check out Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

Terminology

In Blackjack there are many colorful terms used throughout the course of the game. It is helpful to understand the more common terms in order to follow the progress of the game.

Bust or Broke:
to go over 21.

First Base:
the first player to receive cards from the dealer.

Hit:
to take an additional card.

Hole Card:
the face-down card in the dealer’s hand.

Push:
when the player’s hand totals the same as the dealer’s hand, you neither win or lose.

Scratch:
the motion made by the player indicating that he wants to take a hit.

Soft Hand:
a hand wherein an Ace is counted as an 11 (i.e. an Ace and a 6 = Soft 17)

Stand:
to decline a hit by sliding cards under bet.

Stiff:
a hand that will bust if hit by a face-card or 10.

Third Base:
the last player to receive cards from the dealer.

The Object of The Game

The object of Blackjack is to draw cards totaling as close to 21 as possible without going over. Each player is dealt two cards face down, while the dealer receives two cards—one face down and one face up. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) count as 10, Aces may count as 1 or 11, and all other cards are worth their face value. If your total exceeds 21, you must turn your cards face up immediately, as you have automatically lost. If your total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win; if it is less, you lose; and if it is the same, the hand is a “push.” If your first two cards total 21 (an Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King), you have a Blackjack and should turn your cards face up immediately. Blackjack pays three to two, unless the dealer also has a Blackjack, in which case the hand results in a push.

Multiple Deck “21”
After dealing the initial cards to each player and himself, the dealer begins with the first player on his left to determine whether that player would like additional cards. Players do not touch their cards, which are dealt face up next to their wagers. To request another card (“hit”), the player signals by making a scratching motion toward themselves. To decline additional cards and keep their hand (“stand”), the player waves their hand over the cards. The dealer proceeds in this manner with each player until all are satisfied with their hands or have gone “bust.” Once all players have acted, the dealer reveals his facedown card and either stands or draws according to the rules. The dealer must draw to any total of 16 or less and must stand on any total of 17, except in the case of a “soft 17.” A soft 17 is a hand totaling 17 that includes an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace–6 or Ace–4–2).

Doubling Down:
A player may elect to increase his bet by any amount up to his original wager. A player may only double down on his two original cards, regardless of their value. The dealer will then give him one additional card face-up.

Splitting Pairs:
If the player’s first two cards are a pair (any two cards of the same value), he may elect to split them by matching his original wager. Split Aces get one card each facedown. All other splits may be hit as often as necessary.

Insurance:
In the event the dealer’s exposed card is an Ace, he will offer “insurance” to all the players before checking his hole card. Insurance pays at the rate of two-to-one, and the player may wager any amount up to one-half of his original bet.