In general, the object of most Blackjack games is to beat the Dealer's hand by
getting as close to 21 without going over ("bust"). We offer a number
of Blackjack variations which share a common set of basic rules with a few subtle
differences. The next few sections describe general Blackjack rules and features.
Check the Rules Matrix to see which features apply to which game variations.
Card values
Aces count as 1 point or 11 points, whichever yields the highest total score
without going bust.
Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s each count as 10 points.
All other cards count at their face value (i.e. 2 through 9 points).
Hand Scoring
A player has "Blackjack" when the first two cards dealt to a hand
are an Ace and a 10-point card (in other words a score of 21 points from just
two cards). Blackjack hands pay 3-to-2 immediately, unless the Dealer also has
Blackjack, in which case it's a push (bet neither paid nor taken).
In general, a tie hand is a push. However, a Blackjack hand will beat a point
total of "21" from a hand with 3 or more cards. For example, an Ace-Jack
will beat a King-5-6 hand. Even though both hands total 21 points, the Blackjack
hand wins.
All other winning hands are paid even money (1-to-1).
A score of 22 or higher is a bust (i.e. a losing hand). When a player's hand
busts, the wager is immediately paid to the house. If all player hands bust,
the Dealer wins outright and does not draw any cards, regardless of the Dealer's
hand score.
7-Card Charlie – a player hand that gets seven cards without going over
21 is an automatic winner, regardless of the Dealer hand score. Many of our
games allow 7-Card Charlie winners, but some do not.
