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Mini Blackjack

The objective of Blackjack is to accumulate a hand with a point total of 21 or as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21. The value of a hand is the sum of the point counts of each card in the hand. The value assigned to cards is as follows:

  • The cards from 2 through 10 are valued as indicated.
  • Face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are all valued at 10 points.
  • An Ace counts as one or 11: If scoring 11 would cause hand value to exceed 21 ('bust'), an Ace will count as one.
  • Soft total: A hand containing an Ace that can be counted as 11 without the total going above 21. For example, Ace-6 is soft 17.
  • Hard total: A hand containing an Ace that can be counted as only one because counting it as 11 would make the hand go over 21. For example, Ace-6-10 is hard 17.
  • A tie between the player and the house is known as a 'push', and means that no one wins or loses. If the first two cards dealt are an Ace and any 10-point card, it is known as blackjack, and is an automatic win for the player at 1.5 to 1, unless the house ties.

Game information

  • The minimum bet is $1 USD and the maximum bet is $500 USD. The maximum bet applies for the initial bet of the game.
  • Eight decks are used in the Mini Blackjack version of Blackjack. Each deck has 52 cards.
  • The deck is shuffled after 20% of the cards in the decks are used.
  • The dealer draws a card on soft 17 and stands on hard 17.
  • One split is allowed.
  • After split, if you win one hand & lose another hand you will be shown a message "Break Even" which indicates that you don't win or lose anything.
  • A surrender is allowed immediately after the first two player cards are dealt. Surrendering will finish the hand and will return half of the bet placed to the player. Exception for this rule is when dealer gets the up card as Ace, 10, Jack, Queen, King in which dealer will either check the blackjack or offer insurance and check blackjack and only if it is not blackjack for dealer, surrender option will be provided.
  • The number of cards that can be dealt to the player is limited only by choice (by clicking on 'Stand') or by the hand total being greater than or equal to 21.
  • If the dealer has a 10, Jack, Queen, or King as the up card it is possible he has a blackjack, in which case your hand will lose, unless you also have a blackjack. The dealer will check for blackjack immediately if one is possible, and will collect the losing bet immediately if he holds a blackjack.

How to play

  • You choose your starting stake before the cards are dealt, using the left and right arrows to set your bet.
  • Once you have chosen your stake press DEAL to start the game.
  • Depending on the strength of your cards, you can choose from the following options offered to you: 'HIT', 'STAND', 'DOUBLE', 'SURRENDER' or 'SPLIT' as per the game rules.
  • If the dealer has a 10, Jack, Queen, King, or Ace as his first card, he will check to see if he has a blackjack before you have the option to draw your third card/stand/surrender.
  • The 'SURRENDER' option is offered to you after you have been dealt your first two cards. Choosing this forfeits the game and returns half your stake to you.
  • The 'INSURANCE' option is offered to you in case the dealer has an Ace as his first card.
  • Once either the player or the dealer stands or busts, the results are displayed below the both dealer's and the player's cards.
  • To play a new hand with the same bet click on the 'SAME BET' button.
  • To play a new hand with double the bet (provided you have an adequate account balance) click on the 'DOUBLE BET' option.
  • To select another stake click on the 'CHANGE STAKE' button.
  • Click on the "Game Rules" button shown on the initial screen after the game has loaded to access full game rules, game logs & help screen. After starting the game, if you want to access game rules, you have to complete the game and click on 'CHANGE STAKE' to go to initial screen where from where you can access game rules, game logs & help screen.

Options to choose from:

Stand: Clicking on the 'STAND' button will keep your hand at its current value. You may stand at any time, if you are satisfied with your hand. Click the 'STAND' button, and when the dealer has completed his hand, they will be compared.

Surrender: If you wish to forfeit the current hand after your first two cards have been dealt you may choose to surrender by clicking the 'SURRENDER' button. Half of your bet will be returned to you. The 'Surrender' option is offered after the dealer has checked to see if he has a blackjack. If the dealer's second card results in a blackjack, your entire wager will be collected by the dealer and the game will come to an end. However, if the dealer's second card does not result in a blackjack, and you opt for the 'Surrender' option, half of your bet will be returned to you.

Hit: If you wish to take another card, you may continue to do so until you either stand or go bust. Click on 'HIT' to be dealt the next card.

Double: After you are dealt your first two cards, an option to 'double' will be displayed. Once this option is selected, the bet amount is doubled and you will be dealt one more card. The hand will automatically stand after the next card is dealt. Doubling is also provided as an option after splitting. If your game balance is not sufficient for the additional bet, the double option will not be offered. You cannot double if you have been dealt a blackjack.

If you lose the bet, you forfeit the entire bet amount, the initial bet and the additional amount placed for the double option.

Split: If you have two cards of the same value (for example two 7s, two 10s, a King and a Jack, etc), you can click 'SPLIT' to split the cards into two separate hands. This option is also available if you are dealt two Aces as your first two cards. Once this option is selected, an additional bet (equal to your original bet) is automatically placed.

You are only allowed to split once, even if more splitting opportunities arise. If the hand qualifies for a split, but your Game balance is not sufficient for the additional bet, then the split option will not be offered.

You may draw as many cards as you wish on each split hand, with the exception of splitting on Aces. If you split Aces, only one card will be dealt to each split hand. If a 10-point card is dealt to either Ace, the hand is counted as 21, not blackjack.

How to Play the Split Option:

  • Once the split option is chosen, the cards are split into two separate hands, and one more card is dealt to each of the hands. The hand with an arrow pointing towards it is active (i.e. the one you are currently playing on).
  • Click on 'HIT'/'STAND', or any of the other options offered, depending upon your hand.
  • Once the first hand is decided, the arrow will move to the second hand.
  • Click on 'HIT'/'STAND', or any of the other options offered, depending upon your hand.

Insurance: Insurance gives you a chance to protect yourself from the dealer's blackjack. If the dealer's first card (the open card) is an Ace, you can choose to insure your hand against the dealer's blackjack by clicking on 'INSURANCE'. Insurance costs 50% of the bet amount, and is in addition to the initial bet placed by you. Once you opt for insurance, the additional bet is automatically placed.

If the dealer has a blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1, and you will lose the initial bet. If the dealer does not get a blackjack, you lose the insured bet and the game continues for the initial bet amount. Insurance is not offered to you if you get a blackjack.

If your hand qualifies for insurance, but your game balance is not sufficient for the additional bet, the insurance option will not be offered.

Paytable

Win Type Description Payoff
Blackjack A blackjack, or 'natural', comprises a total of 21 in your first two cards. A blackjack is therefore an Ace and any 10-point card, with the additional requirement that these be your first two cards. If you split a pair of Aces, for example, and then draw a ten-point card on one of the Aces, this will not count as blackjack, but rather a total of 21. Your blackjack beats any dealer total (including a dealer's regular 21) except a dealer's blackjack. If both you and the dealer have a blackjack, the hand is a tie or 'push', and nobody wins or loses. 1.5 to 1
Normal win Your total is greater than dealer's, but less than or equal to 21. 1 to 1
Surrender You have chosen to surrender after viewing the first two cards dealt to you. Half of your wager is returned to you.
Push The totals of both the dealer's and your hand are the same Tie, your wager is returned.
Insurance Offered on the dealer's Ace to insure your hand against the dealer receiving a blackjack. It costs 50% of the bet amount, in addition to the initial bet placed by you. If the dealer gets a blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1. You lose the initial bet. If the dealer does not get a blackjack, you lose the insured bet, and the game continues for the initial bet amount.


Adding funds to your PartyAccount

To add funds to your PartyAccount, click on the 'DEPOSIT' option in the 'Cashier' menu in the Main Lobby, or click the 'CASHIER' button in the 'Buy-in' window of any game. You can also click on the 'DEPOSIT' button or on 'REAL BALANCE' in the 'My Account' section of the left panel in the Main Lobby.

I could not complete the game. What should I do? If you get disconnected from the blackjack game, please log back in to the Poker client and choose to play Mini Blackjack from any Poker table where you should be able to complete your unfinished game. If you are unable to play or are experiencing other problems, please contact our Customer Care team.

Malfunctions voids all pays and plays.