Blackjack, also known as vingt-et-un, twenty-one and pontoon, is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Much of its popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill and decision making, and the publicity that surrounds the practice of card counting, in which players can turn the odds of the game in their favor by making betting and strategy decisions based on the cards that have been dealt. Most casinos strongly frown upon card counting, but it is a difficult skill to master and few players are successful at it.

In Blackjack, or 21, you are trying to draw cards that total 21, or come closer to 21 than those held by the dealer, without exceeding that number.

To begin, the dealer deals two cards to each player. The dealer's first card faces up, the second card faces down. All face cards (King, Queen or Jack) count as 10 each; all other cards count at face value except the Ace, which counts 1 or 11 as the player decides.

An Ace with any 10, Jack, Queen or King on the first two initial cards is a Blackjack. The dealer will pay one-and-a-half times the bet unless the dealer also has a Blackjack, in which case it is a push, and neither wins.  At Imagine casino events, blackjack pays two time the bet because we do not supply chips in 25¢ or 50¢ increments (ordinarily a $5 blackjack would win $7.50).

If you don't have a Blackjack, you can ask the dealer to hit your hand by stating, "Hit me!" or using a scratching motion with your fingers on the table. You may also elect to Double Down or Split if you have the proper hand. You may draw as many cards as you like (one at a time), but if you go over 21 you bust and lose. If you do not want a hit, you may stand by making a lateral waving motion with your hand. After all players are satisfied with their hands, the dealer will then turn his down card face up and stand or draw as necessary. At Imagine casino events, the dealer must hit 16 or less and stand on 17 or greater.

If, after receiving your first two cards, the dealer's up card is an Ace, you may opt to purchase Insurance.  Insurance is a side bet made by the players that the dealer has blackjack.  The bet is customarily one-half of the initial bet (at Imagine casino events, the Insurance bet may be rounded up or down to the nearest $5 unit).  Keeping in mind that: 1) the chances of the dealer having blackjack are the same as any individual player; and 2) the house never gives anything away, Insurance is considered a "Sucker Bet".  It is your option whether or not you wish to exercise your option.

 Winning wagers are paid even money, with the exception of Blackjack

If you have a matching pair of cards, you may "Split" your hand.  Simply provide an additional bet equal to your initial bet and you may play each new hand individually.  When splitting Aces, you will receive one card per Ace, face down, to complete your hand.  Should either face down card turn up to be a ten value, this is not considered a Natural Blackjack, it is merely considered a 21-point hand.

You may "Double Down" your hand at any time prior to receiving a third card.  Again, simply provide an additional bet equal to your initial bet and you will receive one card, face down to complete your three-card hand.  It is most common to Double Down when your hand is has a value of 10 or 11.

 

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Blackjack Terms:

BLACKJACK or Natural Blackjack: Any first two cards dealt to a hand that total 21. Historically an Ace of spades and a Jack of spades, the Blackjack feature of the game now includes any Ace with 10, Jack, Queen or King.

BUST or BROKE: Cards add up to 22 or more.

DOUBLING DOWN: A chance to bet additional money up to the original bet by receiving only one hit card.

DRAW or HIT: Signify that you wish another card with scratching motion on the table.

EVEN MONEY: When the dealer has an Ace up, and the player has a Blackjack. When taking even money, the player's Blackjack is paid off at 1:1. (Asking for "even money" is a shortcut for insuring a Blackjack.)  This one element of Blackjack is an option not played at Imagine casino events.

INSURANCE: If the dealer's up card is an Ace, you may take insurance. Here you are betting that the dealer has a Natural Blackjack. When taking insurance, you may bet up to half of your original bet. If the dealer has a Blackjack, your original bet loses and the insurance is paid 2 to 1. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, he takes the insurance bet and the game continues.

PUSH: When you have the same count as the dealer; a tie. Neither hand wins.

SPLITTING PAIRS: An option you have with two cards of the same value. You may split the pairs and play each hand individually. Aces only receive one card per hand. You must wager the same amount as your original bet on each split hand.

STAND: When the player wishes to receive no more cards. Signify this by making a lateral waving motion.

SURRENDER: When a player has come to the foregone conclusion that the dealer is going to beat his hand, he may Surrender and give up one-half of his bet without either the dealer nor the player taking any cards.   This is another element of Blackjack that is an option not played at Imagine casino events.