Live Blackjack Rules

The rules listed here are the standard game rules for Live Blackjack, however it is important to consult any specific rules that may exist for variants of the game. It is the responsibility of each player to verify their understanding of the rules of their chosen game prior to placing bets. Specific rules for each game are accessed by clicking on the ‘Help’, ‘Information’ and/or ‘Paytable’ icons while the game is open.

Game Objective

The objective of LIVE BLACKJACK is to achieve a higher card count than the dealer, but without going over 21. The best hand is Blackjack – when the sum of values of the first two dealt cards is exactly 21 (an ace card + a face or ten card). You compete only against the dealer, not against other players.

• Played with up to 8 decks.
• Dealer always stands on 17.
• Double Down on any 2 initial cards.
• Split initial cards of equal value.
• Only one Split per hand.
• Single card to each Split Ace.
• No Double Down after Split.
• Insurance offered when dealer shows an Ace.
• Blackjack pays 3 to 2.
• Insurance pays 2 to 1.
• Push game when hands tie.

Game Rules

The game is hosted by a dealer and allows up to 7 seated players.

The game is played with up to eight standard 52-card decks. Card values are as follows:

• Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value.
• Face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are each worth 10.
• Aces are worth 1 or 11, whichever is more favourable to the hand. Note that a soft hand includes and Ace worth 11.

After the allotted betting time has expired, the dealer deals one card face up to each player. Dealing starts with the first player to the dealer’s left and continues clockwise, ending with the dealer. The dealer then deals a second card face up to each player and face down to himself. The value of your initial hand is displayed next to your cards.

Blackjack

If the value of your original two-card hand is exactly 21, you have Blackjack!

Insurance

If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, you are given the option to purchase insurance to offset the risk that the dealer has blackjack – even when you have blackjack yourself. The amount of insurance is equal to one half of your main bet, and the insurance bet is settled separately from the bet on your hand. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the round continues. If the dealer has blackjack, but you do not, the dealer’s hand wins. If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push and your bet is returned. Note that when the dealer’s upcard is a ten or face card, you will be given no option to purchase insurance, and the dealer will not peak at his downcard to check for blackjack.

Double Down, Hit or Stand

When the dealer does not have blackjack upon checking his two initial cards, players are given the chance to improve the values of their hands in turn, as the dealer moves clockwise around the table.

If the value of your initial hand is not 21, you can decide to Double Down. In this case, you will double your bet and be dealt only one additional card to add to your hand. Alternatively, you can decide to Hit to be dealt an additional card to add to the value of your hand. You can hit more than once to receive additional cards before you decide to Stand once you are satisfied with the value of your hand.

Split

If your initial hand is a pair of cards of equal value, you can decide to Split the pair to make two separate hands, each with a separate bet equal to your main bet. After a second card is dealt to both your hands, you can improve the value of these two hands by using the hit option before you stand. However, if you split an initial pair of Aces, you will receive only one additional card per hand with no option to hit.

Outcome

If the sum of your hand exceeds 21, you bust and lose your bet on that hand.

When all players have taken their turns, the dealer reveals the value of his downcard. The dealer must hit on a hand of 16 or less and must stand on a hand of soft 17 or more.

You win when the value of your final hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s or when the dealer busts. If the value of your hand is the same as the dealer’s, the game round ends in a push and your bet is returned.

Blackjack beats a hand of 21 comprised of three or more cards. Blackjack also beats a hand of 21 resulting from a split pair.

Side Bets

This Blackjack game includes optional side bets – Perfect Pairs and 21+3. You may place side bets in combination with your main blackjack bet. You have the chance to win on any side bet regardless of whether or not you later win on your blackjack bet.

Perfect Pairs

The Perfect Pairs bet gives you the chance to win if your first two cards comprise any pair – for example, two Queens, two Aces or two 3s. There are three types of pairs, each with a different payout:

• Perfect Pair – same suit, e.g. two Aces of Spades.
• Coloured Pair – different suits of the same colour, e.g. 2 of Diamonds + 2 of Hearts.
• Mixed Pair – different suits, e.g. 10 of Hearts + 10 of Clubs.

21+3

The 21+3 bet gives you the chance to win if your first two cards plus the dealer’s upcard comprise any of the following winning combinations (similar to those in poker), each with a different payout:

• Suited Trips – an identical triplet, e.g. 3 Queens of Hearts.
• Straight Flush – in numerical sequence and same suit, e.g. 10, Jack and Queen of Diamonds.
• Three of a Kind – same value but different suits, e.g. any 3 unmatching Kings.
• Straight – in numerical sequence but different suits, e.g. 2 of Spades + 3 of Clubs + 4 of Hearts.
• Flush – same suit, e.g. 2, 6 and 10 of Clubs.

Bet Behind

The Bet Behind feature allows you to bet on a hand dealt to another player. You will share the outcome of the other player’s hand. The payouts for Bet Behind wagers are the same as for ordinary bets.

You can use this feature whether or not you are seated at the table and intend to play your own hand. However, you cannot place a Bet Behind bet on your own hand.

Place a bet in any activated Bet Behind spot at another player’s seat while betting is open. Hover your cursor over any Bet Behind spot to view the total number of players who have placed a Bet Behind bet, including the sum of their combined wagers.

If you place a Bet Behind bet, and the player at that seat decides not to participate in the round, your bet will be refunded immediately.

The nickname displayed at each seat identifies the player who will make all decisions for that hand. You can, however, decide whether or not to place an insurance bet when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. You can also decide in advance whether or not to double your bet when the player you are betting behind opts to double down or split.

You can later alter these settings by clicking the Settings button and then selecting “BET BEHIND” tab. You may also untick “ALLOW OTHER PLAYERS TO BET BEHIND ME” if you wish to prohibit other players from betting behind you.

Payouts

• Blackjack pays 3:2.
• Winning hand pays 1:1.
• If the dealer has blackjack, insurance pays 2:1.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pair 25:1

Coloured Pair 12:1

Mixed Pair 6:1

21+3

Suited Trips 100:1

Straight Flush 40:1

Three of a Kind 30:1

Straight 10:1

Flush 5:1

Please note that any malfunction voids the game round and all eventual payouts for the round.

Return to Player

The optimal theoretical payout percentage is:

• Blackjack – 99.28%.
• Perfect Pairs bet – 95.90%.
• 21+3 bet – 96.30%.

Place Bets

The BET LIMITS panel displays the minimum and maximum stakes permitted on table in total.

To participate in the game, you must have sufficient funds to cover your bets. You can see your current BALANCE on your screen.

The TRAFFIC LIGHTS tell you the current status in the game round by informing you of when you can bet (GREEN light), when the betting time is nearly over (YELLOW light), and when betting time has expired (RED light).

The CHIP DISPLAY allows you to select the value of each chip you wish to bet. Only chips of denominations that can be covered by your current balance will be enabled. This display will only be illuminated for use when betting time remains (the light is green or yellow).

Once you have selected a chip, place your bet by simply clicking/tapping the betting spot on the game table. Each time you click/tap the betting spot, the amount of your bet increases by the value of the selected chip or up to the maximum limit for the type of bet you have selected. Once you have bet the maximum limit, no additional funds will be accepted for that bet, and a message will appear above your bet to notify you that you have bet the maximum.

NOTE: Please do not minimize your browser or open any other tab in your browser while betting time remains and you have placed bets on the table. Such actions will be interpreted as leaving the game, and your bets will therefore be declined for that particular game round.

The DOUBLE (2x) button allows you to quickly double your bet. This button is enabled after you have placed any bet.

The DOUBLE (2x) button allows to Double the bet up to the maximum limit.

You can double your bet only once.

The REPEAT button allows you to repeat all bets from the previous game round. This button is available only before first chip is placed.

The UNDO button removes the last bet you placed.

You can click/tap the UNDO button repeatedly to remove bets, one by one, in the reverse order of which they were placed. Note that bets can only be removed while betting time still remains (GREEN or YELLOW light).

The TOTAL BET indicator displays the total amount of all bets placed in the current round.

Make a Decision

As soon as you receive your first two cards, you can make an initial decision regarding your hand even before the dealer reaches you in turn. The decision options will be displayed at your seat, and only those currently available to you will be enabled.

When it is your turn, the dealer will act upon the initial decision you have made. If you have not already made a decision prior to your turn, the decision-making window will appear in the centre of your screen. The traffic light will inform you of the time remaining for you to make a decision.

The decision options are represented as follows:

• HIT: Green button with the “+” sign.
• STAND: Red button with the “-” sign.
• DOUBLE DOWN: Yellow button with the “x2” sign.
• SPLIT: Blue button with the opposing arrows.

If you do not make a play decision before time expires, your lack of response will be interpreted as a desire to stand on your current hand.

Game Number

Each game round is identified by a unique GAME NUMBER.

This number reflects when the round began in terms of GMT by hour: minute: second. Please use this game number for reference (or take a screenshot of the game number) if you wish to contact Customer Service regarding a particular round.

Error Handling

If there is any error in the game, gambling system or game procedure, the game round will be temporarily paused while the dealer notifies the shift manager. You and other players will be notified via Chat, or by an on-screen pop-up message, that the issue is being investigated. If the manager can immediately resolve the error, the game round will continue as normal. If immediate resolution is not possible, the game round will be cancelled and initial bets will be refunded to all players who participated in the game round.

Shuffling

Game-play continues until the cut card is dealt. Subsequently, the cards are shuffled by a dealer or a shuffler.

If a shuffle table is available, then two shoes with two sets of playing cards are used at the table. In this case, the dealer swaps the shoes, and the shuffle is performed by a shuffler at the shuffling table while the dealer continues to host the game round.