The Game
How It Works
The Rules
Rules for the Dealer
Tips
Keep in Mind
Betting
Betting Limits
Winnings
Options Dialog Box
Shortcut Keys
Help Index

Blackjack

The Game

In blackjack, each player competes only against the dealer (i.e. the bank), not against other players. Your goal as the player is to draw cards (i.e. "hit") until your hand adds up to 21, or comes as close as possible without exceeding 21. If your first two cards total 21, you have blackjack.

The multi-player blackjack game at Jamaica Bay Casino has these features:

• Up to 5 players can join the same game and chat with one another.
• You can open a private table, and select the players you'd like to join.
• You can play up to 3 hands alone at the same table.
• The dealer checks for blackjack on an open ace or ten card. 100% peak game.
• A different screen perspective is shown from every seat at the table.
• You can select a table with the desired bet limits: $1-100, $5-500, or $25-1,000.
• You can select the maximum betting time (15 or 30 seconds) when you open a new table.
• You can observe a game without joining.

How It Works

Once you have entered the online casino, you can easily check the guest book to see if any of your friends are currently in the casino and the games in which they are currently participating by clicking on "Information/Info." You can then go back to the game menu to select your game. In the "game room," some tables will be occupied while others will be free. If a table is marked "private," you must ask permission to enter. The player that initially opens the table has the authority to grant permission or deny access to new players.

If you find all the tables occupied, simply click on the arrow in the upper right corner to move to the next game room. In the upper left corner, you will find the VIP arrow that leads to exciting, new features for loyal Jamaica Bay Casino members.

The Rules

If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer?’s, you win as much as you have wagered. If you have blackjack, you win 3 to 2 times your bet (assuming the dealer does not also have blackjack). Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and remaining cards according to their number values.

• The player may not split a split hand.
• The player may double after splitting.

Split

If your first two cards are of the same value, you may split them into two separate hands, placing a second wager of equal value. You then proceed to draw cards as usual. However, if you split two aces, you get only one additional card for each hand. If you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, this is not considered blackjack, but 21. You cannot split a split hand.

Double Down

When you have been dealt two cards, and believe that a third card may give you a position to beat the dealer?’s hand, you can "double down." Your wager is doubled, and you are allowed to hit and receive just one additional card.

Insurance

Insurance is a game of its own within blackjack, and gives you the chance to protect yourself when you believe that the dealer may have blackjack. If the dealer?’s first card is an ace, and if you believe that the dealer?’s hole card is of value 10, you may buy insurance against dealer blackjack at the price of half your initial bet. If the dealer does have blackjack, the insurance pays 2 to 1, corresponding to the amount of your initial bet. If you have bought insurance, and the dealer does not have blackjack, you lose your insurance. Your initial bet is then settled by comparing your cards with the dealer?’s. Should you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game results in a push.

Rules for the Dealer

The dealer must draw cards until he has at least 17, and must stand at 17 or higher. If the dealer gets 16, he must take another card. The dealer may not decide whether or not to draw a card based on your hand, but must abide by existing dealer rules. On the other hand, your player strategy should be guided by two factors:

• Your own cards
• The dealer?’s open card

In the "Tips" section, you will find some general advice for beginners on basic blackjack strategy.

Tips

General Advice and Basic Blackjack Strategy for the Beginner:

* An ace can count as 1 or 11. A "soft" hand refers to a hand with an ace that counts as 11. A "soft 17," therefore, is an ace plus a 6. A player with an ace has the advantage of being able to change the ace?’s value to count as 1 after drawing another card. A hand with an ace that counts as 1 is called a hard hand.

Keep in Mind...

This text is to provide the inexperienced player with a few suggestions about when to stand, hit, split, or double. The most important tip is to play consistently. Sticking to basic strategy may lead to losing the hand, but may eventually win you more money.

Betting

Start by pressing the JOIN button within the game. (A player can choose to play a maximum number of three hands alone.) Next, use your left mouse button to click on the value of the chip you wish to bet. The wagered chip will appear in the betting box on the blackjack table. The player can regret a wagered chip before the game begins by clicking on the wagered chip with the right mouse button to remove it.

Betting Limits

The table betting limits are $1-100, $5-500, or $25-1,000.

Winnings

Options Dialog Box

In Blackjack, the Options dialog box offers the following game settings:

• Music
• Sound effects
• Show card values

Shortcut Keys

The following shortcut keys are available in Blackjack:

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