How to play guide

This easy card game is played with four, six or eight standard decks of 52 cards. All cards are scored at their face value, except picture cards (Jack, Queen, King) which have a value of 10, and Aces which count as 1 or 11.

The essence of Blackjack is to get nearer to a total of 21 than the Dealer. If your hand goes over 21 it loses.

Play begins when you and everyone at the table has placed their bets. The Dealer then deals two cards to each Player, and also to him or herself.

Players then decide how to play their hands: take a card or stand (stick with the cards they have).

The best result you can achieve in this game is a two-card 21, or a Blackjack.

If your hand goes over 21, you lose, or go bust.

Blackjack Side Bets

We have some exciting side bets available at Empire Casino giving you more ways to play.

Perfect Pairs - this is when the Player’s first two cards are a Mixed Pair, Coloured Pair or a Perfect Pair (two identical cards)

21 + 3 - this wager is that the Player’s first two cards combined with the Dealer’s first card forms a Three Card Poker hand of a Flush or better

TOP 3 - this wager is that the Player’s first two cards combined with the Dealer’s first card forms a Three Card Poker hand of a Three of a Kind or better

Blackjack Bonus Jackpot - A £1 side-bet with a chance to land thousands with Three of a Kind Suited Aces.

If you wish to play the side bet(s) at the table you must have a Blackjack wager as well.

Tips & advice

The basics:

• Ask for additional cards verbally, or use hand signals to indicate if you require further cards or not. The signals most often used are: Hit - requiring an extra card: Tap the table. Stand - no more cards required: Wave your hand, palm open and parallel to the table
• If a Player has two cards of the same number or picture, the Player can place an additional bet and choose to ‘split’ the hand to form two new hands. This is called a ‘Split’.
• Split their cards (if a Player has two of the same number or picture), placing another wager equal to their original bet thus forming two hands
• A Blackjack is with the Player's or Dealers’ first two cards only, if after splitting your hands you have an Ace and a 10-value card this is 21 and not a Blackjack
• On certain hands, a Player can choose to double their original stake – receiving one further card from the Dealer. This is called a ‘Double’
• The Dealer must draw on 16 or under and must stand on 17 or over
• If the Player wins with a higher value than the Dealer without going over 21 they are paid even money (1 – 1).
• The highest value is an Ace and any 10-point card with the Player’s first two cards only. This is called Blackjack and is paid at 3 to 2.
• If both Player and Dealer have a Blackjack the bet is returned to you.
• If both Player and Dealer have the same value, the bet is returned to you.