Blackjack
Blackjack is the most played casino game in the world
The object of blackjack is to have a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without going over (busting). Numbered cards count as their natural value, face cards count as ten, and Aces can count as one or eleven. Any hand made with an Ace that cannot bust is considered to be a soft hand. For example, Ace + 8 is a soft 19 in that it will not bust if a 10 is added to it.
Many tables feature one of these wicked fun side bets! Click the image to learn more!
PLAYING THE GAME
The player is dealt two cards face up while the dealer is dealt one card face down (the hole-card) and one card face up (the up-card). The player is always the first to pay. The player will stand (signified by waiving a hand over the cards) or hit (drawing cards, signified by tapping on the table) until a hand is made or until the hand busts. After all of the players at the table have taken their turns, the dealer will turn over the hole-card and play out the house hand. The dealer is required to hit when the value of the hand is a soft 17 or less and must stand on a hard 17 or better.
PAY OFFS
With the exception of a blackjack, which consists of an Ace and 10 or a face card on the original hand, all wins are paid 1:1 (even money). If the player is dealt a blackjack and the dealer does not also have a blackjack, the player is paid 3:2, also referred to as time and a half. If the dealer’s hand and the player’s hand are equal, the outcome is a push (tie), and the hand is over with no winner or loser.
DOUBLING DOWN
A player may place an additional bet on the first two cards that is equal to or less than the original bet. The player then gets one card and must stand on the resulting hand. If the player wins, the payout is 1:1 on both bets.
SPLITTING
If a player’s first two cards have the same value, the hand may be split into two separate hands by placing an additional bet that is equal to the original bet. Both hands are then played out separately. With the exception of Aces (which get one card each), doubling is allowed after splitting cards. Aces can only be split once. If a ten is drawn on either hand after the Aces are split, it is not considered to be a blackjack and, if the hand is a winner, has a playoff of 1:1 (not 3:2, like a blackjack).
INSURANCE
If the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, the player has the option to insure the bet by placing an additional wager on the insurance line that is up to or equal to half of the original bet. If the dealer has a blackjack, the player gets paid 2:1 on the insurance bet but loses the original bet. If a player has a blackjack, the player may elect to be paid even money on the original bet, instead of the normal 3:2.
If you have any questions about the games at Oxford Casino Hotel, feel free to ask any of our friendly dealers.
