• How To

Blackjack Basics

One of the most played card games in our casino is blackjack, or 21. It is simple to pick up and fun to play. Two, Six, and Eight Decks of 21 are available. The cards are dealt from a box known as the "shoe."

Everyone plays blackjack against the dealer. All cards dealt to players are face up, and the dealer's first and second cards are both dealt face up. In order to win, you must get closer to 21 than the dealer while staying under 21. A hand that totals more than 21 is referred to as a "bust" or "break," and the wager is lost. Jacks, Queens, Kings, and 10s all add up to 10. An Ace may be played as a one or an 11. All other cards are played at face value.

You have two options when you get your first two cards: you can "hit" or "stand." When you "stand," which you indicate by waving off with your hand, it means you believe your score is close enough to 21 to no longer wish for any more cards. Tap or scratch the table behind your wager with your finger to request a new card or "hit."  You never touch the cards in either scenario; all communication is done by hand signals. You are permitted to draw as many cards as you like up until you reach close to 21 or "bust."

You win and receive payment equal to your initial wager if you are nearer 21 than the dealer.If your hand is less than the dealer’s, you lose. If the dealer’s hand “busts” or “breaks,” you win as well. Ties are a standoff or “push” and your bet remains on the table.

If your first two cards add up to 21, you have a blackjack if any Ace goes with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King. Depending on the variation of blackjack you are playing, you will either be paid 6 to 5 or 3 to 2.

The player in 21 has a lot of options to consider:

Splitting Pairs

You can divide your first two cards into two hands if they have the same numerical value. The second hand's wager must match the first hand's wager exactly. You can only draw one card per hand if the split pair is an Aces.

Increasing by two

You have the option to choose to place an additional wager up to the original bet's value after receiving your first two cards. You will only receive one additional card when you double down.

Insurance

You have the option to take insurance if the dealer's face-up card is an Ace. A wager on the dealer having a blackjack is known as an insurance bet. Up to half of your initial wager may be bet. Insurance bets win in all other situations but pay 2 to 1 if the dealer has a blackjack. 

After receiving their first two cards, players have the option of giving up half of their initial bet. The dealer will keep half of your wager if you give up your cards. (Note that the Double Deck game does not have the Surrender option.)

Arena BlackJack

At the same player terminal, Stadium Blackjack lets you play up to two live table games and has a $5 minimum bet per dealt hand. You can switch between and view the most recent results from each game using a touchscreen that displays two different colored tabs. With just the touch of a finger, you can bet simultaneously on up to two games at once in this exciting hybrid gaming environment, upping the excitement. 

By touching the casino chips scattered across the bottom of the screen, you can place your wager by selecting the amount you wish to wager. Touch the betting circle that is closest to you to place your wager. You can see your bets, winnings, and remaining credits in the bottom left corner of the screen. All active players receive a single hand of blackjack when the game starts, with the exception of the dealer, who only receives an up card.

Each player decides whether to stand or bust, which completes the dealer's hand. One player might stand, sending the cards after that into the dealer's hand, while another might hit, adding those cards to his or her total and leaving each hand to the player's discretion.