Topics:
Introduction to Blackjack:
The essential object of blackjack is to accumulate cards with point totals closer
to 21 than the dealer, but without going over 21. A player may stand on any number
below 21 at any time.
When adding up points totals, face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10.
Aces are worth 1 or 11, whichever is preferable. All other cards are valued at the
number shown.
If a player wins the hand then they will receive 1:1 on their money, as well as
having their stake returned.
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 a player loses, then any stake placed is lost.
If player and the House tie, it is known as a "push" and a player's stake is returned.
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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, just follow these simple steps:
- If this is your first bet of the session, click on the 'New bet' button
- Click on the chip images you see in the bottom left hand corner of the screen to
select a chip value.
- Click again in the betting box at the bottom of the screen to place a chip.
- Each extra time you click in the betting box, it will add another chip of the same
value, so if you wanted to bet £15 you would select the £5 chip and then click the
mouse three times in 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 have changed your mind about the bet 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".
Once you have placed your chips in the betting box there is no need to press confirm
(in fact, there is no confirm button). Any chips in the betting box when the countdown
reaches zero form the bet that you are placing.
You will only be allowed to place bets within the table limits, and you will find
these minimum/maximum levels displayed clearly on the table.
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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.
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Game Play:
Once the countdown clock on the betting round has reached zero, the dealer will
deal two cards to your hand, and one to himself/herself. It will then be your turn
to make a decision. The options 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; you will not need to do anything with the chips.
The options 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
(suit is irrelevant. 'Splitting' doubles your initial stake and splits your original
hand into two new hands, 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 then
you play the hands as 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 you 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 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' on whatever total you currently hold, and the hand will proceed as normal from there.
After you have made your decision the dealer will deal the card. On the video you
will see it goes to the centre of the table, but on your virtual table it goes to
your hand or the dealers hand as appropriate to the decision you 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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