Introduction
The essential objective of the game Blackjack is to get the sum of your cards closer to the number 21 than the dealer. A player may ‘stand’ on any number below 21 at any time to avoid going over and being ‘bust’.
When adding up points the totals of face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are worth 10.
Aces have a value of either 1 or 11. The first ace dealt to a given player/dealer will have the value of 11 unless at the end of the hand that would cause the score to be over 21 in which case it will have the value of 1. Any subsequent Aces dealt to a given player/dealer will have the value 1.
All other cards are valued at the numbers shown on them.
If a player is dealt an Ace and a card worth 10 ("Blackjack") in their first two cards, the player automatically wins at a payout ratio of 3:2, unless the house ties with a "blackjack" of its own. In either case, players will have their stake returned.
If player and the House tie, it is known as a "push" and a player's stake is returned.
If a player wins the hand they will receive 1:1 on their money, as well as having their stake returned.
If a player loses, then any stake placed is lost.
Betting
At the start of a hand you have 15 seconds in which to place your bet. Once the countdown clock reaches zero you will not be allowed to change the bet you have placed on a hand.
To place a bet simply follow these basic steps:
- If it is your first bet of the session click on the 'New bet' button.
- To select a chip value, click on the desired chip image you see in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
- To place a chip, click again in the betting box at the bottom of the screen
- Each extra time you click in the betting box it will add another chip of the same value, so for a bet of £15 you would select the £5 chip and then click the mouse three times in the preferred area of the betting box.
Each time you click in the betting box you will see an extra chip added and your bet size increase by £5.
If you change your mind about the bets you have placed then you can cancel either the last chip you placed by pressing "Cancel Last", or the entire bet by pressing "Cancel All".
Any chips in the betting box when the countdown reaches zero form the bet that you are placing, there is no confirm button.
You will only be allowed to place bets within the table limits. The minimum/maximum levels are displayed clearly on the table.
Our Interface
Our unique online interface allows you to play the hand your way while others play
the hand differently. This means that while everyone will start with the same two
cards, and the dealer will always start with the same starting card, the rest of
the cards are not dealt to a particular hand.
The cards are dealt into the middle of the table and are then assigned to whichever
hand is appropriate based on your decisions. You will see this represented in your
web browser.
You will win or lose the hand based solely on the decisions you have taken; the
decisions other people take will have no impact on your hand.
Game Play
Once the countdown clock on the betting round has reached zero, the dealer will deal two cards to you and one to himself/herself. It will then be your turn to decide on the options that will appear at the bottom of the game screen. You will only ever be given the options which are appropriate to your hand. Simply click the icon of your choice and the decision will be relayed to the dealer on your behalf. If your decision involves an extra bet being placed then this will be done automatically without you manually adding chips.
The options that you can receive during play are as follows:
Hit - You will be given this option any time your hand adds up to twenty or less. 'Hitting' adds the value of the next card to your hand.
Stand - You will be given this option any time your hand adds up to twenty or less. 'Standing' will keep your current hand value and give the value of the next card to the dealer's total. No further decisions can be taken.
Double - You will only be offered this if you have exactly two cards and they add up to 9, 10, or 11 (and do not contain an ace.) 'Doubling' doubles your initial stake in return for one more card. No further decision can be taken. If you subsequently win the hand your winnings will be doubled.
Split - Only available when your first two cards are a pair/the same rank with the suit of the pair’s being irrelevant. 'Splitting' doubles your initial stake and splits your original hand into two new hands with each starting with one of the cards from your original pair. You will be dealt a second card onto each one of your original pair and hence you play the hands independently from each other. (Please note that with split hands your hands will not be treated as Blackjack even if you get 21 in two cards).
Insurance - When you have hit Blackjack but the dealer holds an Ace, you may buy insurance to protect some of your stake in case the dealer hits blackjack too. If you choose to take ‘Insurance’ you will place a bet of ½ your original stake that the next card dealt to the dealer will have a value of ten. If the dealer does get a ten on his/her second card (thus making blackjack) your insurance bet will win and will pay out at 2 to 1. Otherwise your insurance bet will lose.
Each decision round will last 15 seconds and you will see the decision bar icon start to flash when you are down to the last few seconds.
If you do not make a decision during the given period, you will be automatically 'stood' at whatever total you currently hold with the hand proceeding as normal from there.
After you have made your decision the dealer will deal the cards. On the video you will see them go to the centre of the table, but on your virtual table it goes either to your hand the dealers, depending on the decision you have made.
You will continue to be given options appropriate to your hand until you either reach 21, go over 21 (bust) or choose to stand. The dealer will then play out the rest of the hand as appropriate.
Given that different people will play their hands in different ways there will be times when you see a decision round occurring despite the fact that you have opted to stand, or cards still being dealt despite the fact that you have completed your hand and the dealer has more than 17. These decisions and cards will not affect the outcome of your hand.
Card Values
Aces have a value of either 1 or 11. The first ace dealt to a given player/dealer
will have the value of 11 unless at the end of the hand that would cause the score
to be over 21 in which case it will have the value of 1. Any subsequent Aces dealt
to a given player/dealer will have the value 1.
Face Cards have a value of 10
All other cards (2–10), have the value that is shown on the card.
Responsible Gaming
We want our players to have fun while gambling at Smart Live Casino, so we encourage
responsible gambling.
Click here for more information.
Determining a Winner
If you exceed 21 you will automatically have lost, regardless of the dealer's final
score.
If you get blackjack and the dealer doesn't, you will have automatically won the
hand, and will get paid at a ratio of 3:2.
If the dealer has blackjack and you don't then you have lost (even if you have 21
in more than 2 cards, as blackjack beats a normal 21.)
If both you and the dealer have 21 or below, then you win if your hand is higher,
and you lose if the dealers hand is higher. If the hands are tied, then it is a
'push' and you get your stake back.