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The Game of BlackJack
In blackjack, each player competes only against the dealer (i.e. the bank), not against other players. Your goal as the player is to draw cards (i.e. "hit") until your hand adds up to 21, or comes as close as possible without exceeding 21. If your first two cards total 21, you have blackjack.
The Blackjack game at Sunset Casino has these features:
- Up to 5 players can join the same game and chat with one another.
- You can open a reserved table, and select the players you'd like to join.
- You can play up to 3 hands alone at the same table.
- The dealer checks for blackjack on an open ace or ten card. 100% peek game.
- A different screen perspective is shown from every seat at the table.
- You can select a table with the desired bet limits: $1-100, $5-500, or $25-1,000.
- You can select the maximum betting time (15 or 30 seconds) when you open a new table.
- You can observe a game without joining.
- Turbo Mode for faster Gameplay.
The BlackJack Rules
If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win as much as you have wagered. If you have blackjack, you win 3 to 2 times your bet (assuming the dealer does not also have blackjack). Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and remaining cards according to their number values.
If the total of your cards exceeds 21, you "bust" and lose your wager. If you have the same card total as the dealer, from 17 and up, no one wins and you get your stake back in a "push." Blackjack beats a score of 21.
The Blackjack game at Sunset Casino uses six decks of cards, which are shuffled after each round. The game follows standard "Las Vegas Strip" rules with the following exceptions:
- The player may not split a split hand.
- The player may double after splitting.
Split
If your first two cards are of the same value, you may split them into two separate hands, placing a second wager of equal value. You then proceed to draw cards as usual. However, if you split two aces, you get only one additional card for each hand. If you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, this is not considered blackjack, but 21. You cannot split a split hand.
Double Down
When you have been dealt two cards, and believe that a third card may give you a position to beat the dealer’s hand, you can "double down". Your wager is doubled, and you are allowed to hit and receive just one additional card.
Insurance
Insurance is a game of its own within blackjack, and gives you the chance to protect yourself when you believe that the dealer may have blackjack. If the dealer’s first card is an ace, and if you believe that the dealer’s hole card is of value 10, you may buy insurance against dealer blackjack at the price of half your initial bet. If the dealer does have blackjack, the insurance pays 2 to 1, corresponding to the amount of your initial bet. If you have bought insurance, and the dealer does not have blackjack, you lose your insurance. Your initial bet is then settled by comparing your cards with the dealer's. Should you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game results in a push.
Rules for the Dealer
The dealer must draw cards until he has at least 17, and must stand at 17 or higher. If the dealer gets 16, he must take another card. The dealer may not decide whether or not to draw a card based on your hand, but must abide by existing dealer rules. On the other hand, your player strategy should be guided by two factors:
- Your own cards
- The dealer's open card
In the "Tips" section, you will find some general advice for beginners on basic blackjack strategy.
Tips
General Advice and Basic Blackjack Strategy for the Beginner:
Hit or Stand?
| If the dealer's open card is: |
Hit on: |
Stand on: |
| 3, 4, 5, or 6 |
11 and lower, Soft* 17 and lower |
12 and higher, Soft* 18 and higher |
| 7, 8, 9, 10, or Ace |
16 and lower, Soft* 17 and lower |
17 and higher, Soft* 18 and higher |
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* An ace can count as 1 or 11. A "soft" hand refers to a hand with an ace that counts as 11. A " soft 17", therefore, is an ace plus a 6. A player with an ace has the advantage of being able to change the ace's value to count as 1 after drawing another card. A hand with an ace that counts as 1 is called a hard hand.
Split?
| If the dealer's open card is: |
Split: |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 |
2s, 3s, 8s, and aces |
| 8, 9, 10, or ace |
8s and aces |
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Double?
| If your first two cards total: |
Double if the dealer's open card is: |
| 11 |
Anything except an ace |
| 10 |
Anything except a 10 or an ace |
| 9 |
2 to 8 |
| 7 or 8 |
3 to 6 |
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Betting Limits
The table betting limits are $1-100, $5-500, or $25-1,000.
Winnings Diagram
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Pays |
| Winning Hand |
1 to 1 |
| Insurance |
2 to 1 |
| Blackjack |
3 to 2 |
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Shortcut Keys
The following shortcut keys are available in Blackjack:
| Key |
Action |
| F1 |
Same bet |
| F2 |
Done |
| F3 |
Hit |
| F4 |
Stand |
| F5 |
Split |
| F6 |
Double |
| F7 |
Not used |
| F8 |
Not used |
| F9 |
Options |
| F10 |
Help files |
| F11 |
Not used |
| F12 |
Exit |
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