Blackjack
Blackjack is the world's most popular casino game and you can enjoy it with PKR Poker because it's integrated in the PKR poker software. You can play Blackjack anytime with PKR!
Blackjack Rules
The object of blackjack is for the total of your cards to be closer to 21 than the dealer's cards, without exceeding 21. If you exceed 21 loose automatically. In blackjack, aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards are worth 10, and number cards are worth their face value.
Winning Blackjack
If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win your bet amount (if your bet was $10, you win $20).
If you receive an ace and a ten-value card as your first two cards (Ace and a 10, J, Q or K), you have a blackjack and win 1.5 times your bet (if your bet was $10, you win $25).
A Blackjack beats a score of 21. For example, A-K beats 5-8-8.
If you and the dealer have the same card total (17 and up), neither of you win and your bet is returned to you. This is called a "push".
Playing Blackjack
You start by getting two face up cards while the dealer gets one face up card and one face down card. You must then decide if you want to get another card (called "hit"), stop there and get no additional cards (called "stand), or double your current bet and take one extra card (called "double"). When you "hit", you get a new card and you get to make a choice again. So you could hit more than once. When you "double", you only get one extra card and then must beat the dealer with that hand.
If you don't bust (go over 21), then the dealer will try to beat you. His unexposed card will be revealed and if the dealer's total is less than 16, he has to draw another card. He will continue to do so until he reaches at least 17, or busts. As soon as he reaches 17 or more, he must stop. If you had an 18 and the dealer has a 17, he cannot draw an extra card to see if he might beat you, therefore you win the hand.
Special Blackjack options
Split - If your first two cards have the same value, you may split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet equal to the original bet. You will then draw additional cards to each hand. You're bassically playing two blackjack hands at once, with one exception: You may draw as many cards as you like on each split hand, but if you split two aces, you receive only one additional card for each ace. If you receive an ace and a ten-value card in a split hand, it is considered 21 and not Blackjack.
Double - As mentioned previously, "double" requires you to double your current bet to get one final card. You can only do this after you are dealt your first two cards so only double when you think that a third card will allow you to beat the dealer's hand. If you were playing a $10 game, choosing to double means you need to add another $10, making your bet $20.
Insurance - If the dealer shows an Ace in his initial hand, you are given a chance to insure your bet against him having a Blackjack. If you get Insurance, an amount equal to half your original bet is placed separately on the table. If the dealer does have Blackjack, you are paid 2 to 1 on your insurance. This way you do not lose your original bet since you get the 2x half your original bet, plus the insurance amount back. However, if the dealer does not have Blackjack, you lose the insurance amount even if you end up losing.
Payouts
Winning hand pays 1 to 1 meaning that if you bet $10 and win, you'll keep you bet and get another $10.
Insurance pays 2 to 1 meaning that if you bet $10 and win, you'll keep you bet and get another $20.
Blackjack hand pays 3 to 2 meaning that if you bet $10 and win, you'll keep you bet and get another $15.
