Blackjack

Want to learn how to play blackjack? Learn here and test your luck at Spirit Mountain Casino!

If your total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win.

If you “hit” and your total is more than 21, you lose.

If you and the dealer have the same total, it is a tie, or push.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Blackjack, or 21, is a popular and fun casino game in which everyone plays against the dealer. The dealer gives each player two cards, both face-up. The dealer also gets two cards, one face-down and the other face-up. The object is to draw cards that total 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over (busting). Jacks, queens, kings, and tens count as 10. An ace may be played as a 1 or an 11. All other cards are played at face value. Our tables deal from a box called a “shoe” and use six decks. Players are not allowed to touch the cards on a shoe game.

PROPER HAND SIGNALS

Using non-verbal communication with the dealer helps to improve the flow of the game. With hand signals, you can indicate when you wish to “hit” (be dealt another card) or “stand.” (not be dealt another card) Please ask your dealer for the appropriate signals.

SPLIT AND DOUBLE DOWN

Blackjack gives players a variety of options to win big. One of them is to split your cards. You may take this option when you have two cards with the same value (two 4’s or two 8’s, for example). You can split the two cards and play each hand individually. However, you must bet the same amount as your original wager on the split hand. You may split three times for a total of four hands. You may then take as many hits as you want. If you split a pair of aces, you will receive only one card on each of the hands.

Players also have the option of increasing their wager by “doubling down”. When you double down you are allowed to bet up to double your original wager on any two cards. You then receive only one additional card.

THE DEALER

Keep in mind that the dealer is required to “hit” on all soft 17’s and below, and “stand” on all hard 17’s and above. All of our friendly dealers will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding blackjack rules and gameplay.

HARD VS. SOFT HANDS

One important aspect of blackjack is “hard” and “soft” hands. These concepts not only affect the rules of when the dealer must hit or stand but also can affect the player’s blackjack strategy. A “soft hand” is a hand where an ace can be counted as 1 or 11. A “hard hand” is a hand without an ace, or where the ace can only be counted as 1 without breaking the hand. Be sure to check the casino rules for more information on hard and soft blackjack hands.

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