BlackJack House Rules

During the course of a game of BlackJack you may encounter a few extra options and features that were not covered by our Basic BlackJack Rules, you can find out what these options mean below.

Splitting

If you are dealt two cards of the same value you are given the option to ‘Split’ the cards. As they are all worth the same value in BlackJack any two card combination made up of Tens, Jacks, Queens or Kings can be split. By splitting the cards in effect you turn your two cards into two hands that you then play separately. To split the cards you have to pay another initial bet.

Once the cards have been split an extra card is dealt to the first split hand and you must decide whether to ‘Stand’ or ‘Hit’ as normal. Once you are done with the first ’split’ hand you move on to the second ‘Split’ hand. A ‘Split’ hand cannot in turn be ‘Re-Split’ or ‘Split’ again if the second card dealt to the split card is of the same value.

Regardless of the outcome any split hands that end up with an ace and a ten will not receive a BlackJack win as BlackJack only applies to the very first two cards in a hand. Also when splitting aces, only one additional card is allowed.

Insurance

If the first card that is dealt face up to the dealer happens to be an ace then there is a good chance that the dealer is going to hit a BlackJack. If you don’t hold a BlackJack of your own to force the hand to a ‘Push’, in the event that the dealer makes BlackJack then the dealer will take your initial bet. So if the dealer’s first card is an ace you will be offered the chance to make an extra Insurance Bet.

The Insurance Bet is a separate bet that allows you to potentially cover the loss of your initial bet if the dealer hits BlackJack. The Insurance Bet allows you to make a bet worth half your initial bet that the dealer will get a BlackJack. The insurance bet pays out at 2 to 1 if the dealer hits BlackJack. If the dealer then makes BlackJack you will lose your initial bet but by winning the Insurance Bet you get the Insurance bet back plus the amount you lost on the initial bet. If the dealer does not make BlackJack the Insurance Bet goes to the dealer.

Even Money

If you get dealt BlackJack but the dealer is showing an ace then there is a good chance that the dealer will also make a BlackJack and turn your potential 3 to 2 win into a ‘Push’. In the event that your BlackJack gets matched and the hand ends as a ‘Push’ you will just get your initial bet back.

So in the event that you get BlackJack and the dealer shows an ace you will be given the option to take even money. By taking even money you will reduce your potential win from 3 to 2 down to a guaranteed 1 to 1 but by doing so you also remove the possibility of making nothing at all in the event of a ‘Push’. By taking even money you can double your money regardless of what the dealer gets.

Doubling Down

If you are confident after receiving your first two cards that you only need one more to beat the dealer you can choose to double down. By doubling down you double your initial bet and double your potential winnings but can only take one extra card to complete your hand. You are allowed to double down on any two initial cards unless you get BlackJack.

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