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The game is played using 8 decks of cards, re-shuffled after each round.
Aces can be used as either 1 or 11. Any hand that includes an ace has two values. a soft value and a hard value. I.e. if the hand is an ace-8, the hard value is 9, the soft value is 19.
The King, Queen, Jack and Ten are 10 points each. All other cards are worth their face values.
If the player's first two cards total 21 it's a natural Blackjack. Blackjack is the highest hand.
Once a player has placed his/her bet, both the player and the dealer are dealt two cards each. The player's cards are dealt face up. The dealer's first card is dealt face down.
If the player doesn't have a Blackjack, he/she may "Stand" (refuse any further cards), or "Hit" ( accept another card). A player who stands will not receive additional cards. Cards are dealt until the player stands or "busts" (exceeds 21). If the player busts, he/she immediately loses the bet regardless of the dealer's hand result.
Player's Options
The Dealer has none of the following options.
Splitting
When a player is dealt two cards with equal values, they have the option of "splitting" them into two separate hands. In order to "split", the initial bet has to be matched. Each hand is then played separately. If the player splits two Aces, only one more card is dealt to each hand. A hand can only be split once. A two card 21 total on a split is not a natural blackjack. If the hand does not push it will pay even money.
Doubling Down
A player may double on their first two cards other than a Blackjack. When a player doubles, only one more card is dealt and the original bet has to be matched. Essentially, the player bets the hand can be won with one more card. You can also "double down" after "splitting" a pair.
Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player is offered "insurance". Taking insurance means the player makes a second bet (of half the original bet) that the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If this is the case, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet and the initial bet loses as it is beaten by the dealer's Blackjack. If the dealer does not have a natural Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal.
Even Money
If the player (you) has a Blackjack and the dealer's up card is an Ace, the player is offered 'even money'. Taking even money means the player will be paid 1 to 1 on the Blackjack and not 3 to 2 as normal. Taking even money means the player believes the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If the player chooses not to take even money and the dealer reveals a Blackjack, both hands tie. If no even money is taken and the dealer has no Blackjack, the player is paid at 3 to 2.
The Dealer's cards
After the player's final actions, the dealer reveals the down card.
If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, the dealer must continue to "hit" until reaching 17 or more.
The dealer must stand on soft 17 and cannot take additional cards.
If the dealer exceeds 21 ("bust"), and the player has stood without busting, the player wins.
When the dealer stands on 17 or greater and has a higher count than the player, the dealer wins.
If the player has the higher count, the player wins.
If the player and the dealer have the same totals, it's a "push" (tie).
Payouts
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