How to Play Blackjack

The objective in the game of blackjack is to accumulate cards with point totals as close to 21 without going over 21. Face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10 points. Aces are worth 1 or 11. Other cards are represented by their number. If the player and the house tie, it is a push (tie) and no one wins. Ace and 10 (Blackjack) on the first two cards dealt is 'Blackjack' and the player wins automatically (unless the house ties with a blackjack also). If the player wins with a blackjack, they receive their original stake back and win 1.5 times their original stake. If the player wins by being closer to 21 (without going over) than the house, the player receives their original stake back and are paid the same amount as winnings. If the house wins, the player loses their original stake.

A player may stand (see 'Options' below) at any time no matter what their total.

For splitting (see 'Options' below), the player needs to place an additional bet to the amount of the current bet on the hand being split. Split aces are allowed to draw only one additional card. Both Split and Double Down options are available only if the user's casino account balance permits placing an additional bet.

Stand: If the player is satisfied with his hand as it is, he may stand. When the dealer completes his or her hand, the hands will be compared.

Hit: If the player wishes to take another card he may continue to do so until he either stands or busts (goes over 21).

Double Down: A player may double his bet and be dealt one more card. This option is only offered on the first two cards, and sometimes on the first two cards after splitting.

Split: If the player's first two cards are of equal point value (i.e. both queens, both nines etc.), he may split them into two hands. In this event, each card is effectively the first card of a new hand, and the player must also make another wager of equal value to the first for the second hand. So if, for example, you have wagered £100 and you receive two sevens, you can split them by wagering another £100, and you will receive another card on each seven, so that now you may have one hand which is a seven and a jack, and another hand which is a seven and an eight. It is now much the same as playing two separate hands, and you must hit or stand accordingly.

Insurance: Whenever the dealer's first card is an Ace, he has the possibility of getting blackjack. If the dealer gets blackjack and the player has insurance, then the player would lose only 50% of his amount.

Playing online blackjack in an internet casino is much the same as playing in a land casino, only the actions are performed by a click of the mouse rather than informing the dealer of your choice.

Select the chip denomination you want to use.

Select the amount you want to wager on a given hand by clicking on the playing area of the table.

Once the wager is placed, the player presses the 'Deal' button. The dealer deals the player two cards face up and himself one that is face up.

Depending on your (player's) two cards strength, choose your options 'Hit', 'Stand', 'Double Down', 'Split' or Insurance.'

After the player has built his hand to its best advantage, the dealer cards are shown.

After the Dealer's/Player's cards are held at the highest level or bust, results are displayed.