How to Play BlackJack
BlackJack Game Rules
What is a BlackJack?
The Initial Deal
Other Features
EuroPoker Rules
Play BlackJack

BlackJack is a beat-the-house (so you play against the dealer not other people sat at the table) game played with one to six standard decks of 52 cards. Jokers are not included.

What differentiates the EuroPoker BlackJack game from other BlackJack games is the possibility to play up to five boxes (you can play at five different seats at the same table) per round against the house.

The object of the game is to get your hand as close to 21 as possible without "busting" (where your cards total value is more than 21) or the dealer's hand not getting closer to 21 than you. If there is a draw (or PUSH) the dealer will then return the original bet to the player. If you have a winning hand you will be paid the original bet 1 to 1.

All picture cards have a value of 10, whilst number cards 2-10 count as face value. Aces can either be values at 1 or 11 depending on what suits the player's hand best.

The game begins with each player seated and playing against the dealer. The dealer is dealt two cards and each player is dealt two cards in each box. This is called the initial deal. The player's cards are both dealt face up and one of the dealer's cards is dealt face up.

Depending on the value of the cards from the initial deal the player has two basic options. They can either "HIT" and receive another card to add to their two face up cards or they can "STAND", where the player decides that his cards have a strong chance of winning against the dealer without playing any more cards. The dealer then moves onto the next box (remember you can play up to five boxes per round).

A decision to "HIT" will give the outcome of a "bust" or another decision to "HIT" or "STAND".

There is no limit to how many cards you can have as long as the total is 21 or less. A player can keep hitting new cards until they are satisfied or have busted (where the cards total more than 21). If you are bust you instantly lose.

After all the players have concluded their play it's the dealers turn to flip their second initial card (the one dealt face down). Based on the total amount of the two cards the dealer acts based on a set of fixed rules.

When the dealer's total is less than 17 another card will be automatically drawn. If the dealer's total is 17 or above, the house will always stand.

What is a BlackJack?
A combination of an ace and any TEN-card on the initial deal is called a BlackJack or a natural. Unless the dealer also makes a BlackJack, the player's BlackJack hand pays bet 3 to 2. If the dealer makes BlackJack too, the result is a PUSH.

The Initial Deal
Player 1: K+9 = 19
Player 2: 8+5 = 13
Player 3: J+4 = 14

Dealer: 9+X

Player 1 has 19 and stands.
Player 2 has 13 and hits - receiving a 10 for a total of 23. BUST!
Player 3 has 14 and hits also. Third card is a 7 for a total of 21.

The dealer flips the second initial deal card revealing a 10 for a total of 19 and must stand.


Results: Player 1 PUSH (bet returned). Player 2 LOSS (bet lost). Player 3 WIN (bet pays 1 to 1).

The following features are dependant on the chosen rule set and may vary.
Please check the individual sets for variations.

Insurance
If the visible card of the dealer is an ace, the player may buy "insurance" by betting an additional 0.5 times their initial bet. In case of the dealer hitting a BlackJack, the player's original bet will lose, but the insurance will win 2 to 1 for a total even result. Thus, the insurance win covers the loss of the original bet.
If the dealer does not make a BlackJack the insurance bet is lost and play continues as normal.

Even money
Where a player is dealt a BlackJack and the dealer flips an ace, the player can decide to go for EVEN MONEY.

Although this reduces the win from 3:2 to 1:1, it means not risking a PUSH (draw) if the dealer also makes a BlackJack. This Even Money option is only available when the dealer shows an ace.

Splitting
If a player is dealt two cards of the same value they are entitled to "split" the cards, double their initial bet, and will now be playing two hands separately. The first hand is dealt a second card. The player must decide whether they would like to "STAND" or "HIT". Once the player has finished the first hand, they move onto the second, repeating the same process. After the player is satisfied with both hands play continues to the next box.

No matter the outcome, note that split hands that end up with a total of 21 will not receive BlackJack.

Double Down
The player may double their bet after viewing their initial two cards. They will then only be allowed one additional card to complete their hand.

• You are allowed to double down on any two initial cards, except if you get a BlackJack.
• The dealer will receive two initial cards; one card is dealt face up, one face down.
• If the dealer gets an initial face up ace, you may INSURE. If you have a BlackJack, you may go for EVEN MONEY instead.
• You can split on any equal valued cards, but you cannot re-split.
• When splitting on aces, only one additional card is allowed.
• EuroPoker.com House rules BlackJack is played with 2 decks of cards, which are reshuffled between every round.
• The dealer has to HIT on any 16 and STAND on any 17 or higher.