This allows you to continue playing if you have already exceeded 21 points. Read the game rules to know exactly how Blackjack works.
How does the game work?
You play for a stake per turn. You place chips at your card box (the game table) and after all players have betted, the dealer deals the first round of cards . He starts with the player to his left and places one card per player face up. The dealer also gets an open card. After that the dealer gives everyone another face up card but himself a face down card.
How to play Blackjack
What is a Blackjack?
When everyone has two cards it’s time to see if there is a Blackjack. This is an Ace with a picture or a 10. If you have Blackjack, you can choose whether you want to be paid immediately. You will then be paid twice your stake. We call this “Even Money.” The dealer then takes your cards. If you wait until the dealer has played out and still hasn’t gotten Blackjack, you get an additional half bet.
If the banker has Blackjack, the other players lose. Even if they have a Blackjack themselves.
Insurance
If the dealer has an Ace in the first round, there is a good chance that he will get Blackjack. You can then “insure” yourself and take advantage of the dealer’s Blackjack. You place half of your bet extra on the table. If the dealer wins, he pays 2 to 1, but if he loses, you lose your bet.
How to play
The remaining players may now “buy” additional cards (you don’t pay anything extra for them, but that’s the name of the game). The dealer starts again with the person sitting to his left. You buy cards until you think you can win from the dealer or at least will not die or bust. This is the case when you have 22 or more points. If this happens then the dealer takes your cards and your bet.
With 17 to 20 points, the chances of going over 21 with a third card are quite high, so an extra card is a big risk. You can then just pass. You will then answer the dealer “stand” or make a hand signal that you do not want more cards. If you do want more cards, ask for a hit. If you are satisfied with your score, pass.
“Split or double down
It can happen that you receive two identical cards (for example, two kings or two sevens, any card is possible). You can then split. This is called a split. You split the two cards and add the wager you placed at the beginning of the game to the second card. The dealer will then give you two new cards and the game continues as described above. If your point total is 9, 10 or 11 with two cards, you can double. At least, that’s the rule in Dutch casinos. We call this a “Double Down”. You put down the double bet and now receive only one card.
Settling
When all players have settled, the dealer comes to his own cards. He must continue to play to at least 17 points. The other players don’t have to do this, but if you pass on a low number of points, your chances of winning are very slim.
Once the dealer has laid out his own cards, he will check to see who has more or less points. If you have more points than the dealer, you get your bet back twice. If you have less points, you lose and your stake goes to the dealer. If you have the same number of points as the dealer, you win or lose nothing and your wager is returned.