BlackJack Games

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".

Here's an example play:

Initial deal
Box 1: K+9 = 19
Box 2: 7+5 = 12
Box 3: J+3 = 13

Dealer: 9+X

Box 1 has 19 and stands.
Box 2 has 12 and hits - receiving a 10 for a total of 22. BUST!
Box 3 has 13 and hits also. Third card is an 8 for a total of 21.

Dealer flips its second initial deal card revealing a 10 for a total of 19 and must stand.

Box 1 PUSH (bet returned). Box 2 LOSS (bet lost). Box 3 WIN (bet pays 1 to 1).

Basic Features

The following features depend on the chosen rule set and they may vary.
Be sure to 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 his 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

A player being dealt a BlackJack whilst the dealer flips an ace can decide to go for "even money".

This means reducing his win from 3:2 to 1:1, but also not risking a push 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 he is entitled to "split" the cards, double his initial bet, and will now be playing two hands separately. The first hand is dealt a second card. The player must decide whether he would like to stand or hit. Once the player has finished the first hand, he moves onto the second, repeating the same process. After the player is satisfied with both hands play continues to the next box. A player can split a split hand. So, for example, an initial deal of 8+8 could be split in to two hands of 8. If another 8 is dealt on any of them making 8+8 again, that hand could be split again making a total of three separate hands of 8.

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 his bet after viewing his initial two cards. He will then only be allowed one additional card to complete his hand.

Keyboard shortcuts

The following keyboard shortcuts can be used in BlackJack:

F1=ReBet
F2=Deal
F5=Hit
F6=Stand
F7=Double
F8=Split

Rule sets

There are numerous variations on how the game of BlackJack is played.

While we presently only support one rule set at Hollywood Poker, we hope to be able to provide your favorite variation in the future.