|
|
rules
|
The
Basics - Each player competes against the dealer, not against the other players. The object of the game is to have a higher point total than the dealer without going over 21. Each ace counts as either 1 point or 11 points, face cards (kings, queens, jacks) count 10 points each, and all other cards (2 through 9) count their face value.
Betting - Before the deal, players have 3 seconds to place bets. In order to place a bet players click on the different denominations ($1, $5, $20) to choose the desired sum and then click 'Place Bet'. The maximum bet per hand is always $1000. Players accumulate and lose Yahoo! "cash" (no real monetary value) as they play. When a player's bank account falls below $0 he can continue to play. The only way to get back into the positive is by winning. Note that Yahoo! remembers how much money players have from game to game and session to session.
The Play - The dealer deals two cards to each player and two cards to himself. Players' cards are dealt faceup, while one of the dealer's cards is dealt faceup and the other is facedown. After the deal, the dealer "asks" each player whether they want an additional card. At Yahoo! an arrow indicates which player is being asked to make a decision. A player may "Stand" -- play just the two cards originally dealt or may "Hit"-- take another card. After being dealt an additional card, the player may stop or may take still another card. A player may take as many cards as he or she wants, but as soon as the player's total exceeds 21, the player loses. After all players have drawn, the dealer's remaining card is exposed. Under most casino rules, a dealer with a total less than 17 must "hit" (take a card); with 17 or more, dealer must stand. If a dealer has a "soft 17"--a hand that contains an ace plus six other points, and which can therefore be counted as either 7 or 17--some casinos require the dealer to hit and some require dealer to stand. When creating a blackjack table at Yahoo!, players may choose which of these two rules they prefer. If dealer "busts" by going over 21, any players still in the game win. Otherwise, players with totals higher than the dealer win, while players with totals less than the dealer lose. In case of a tie, or "push" the player's bet is returned (no money changes hands). If a player's or the dealer's first two cards total 21 (an ace and a 10 or face card), the holding is known as a blackjack. A player with blackjack is paid extra--usually one-and-a-half times the original bet--unless dealer also has blackjack, in which case the player loses. If dealer's faceup card is an ace, players are often given a chance to buy insurance against the possibility of the dealer's having a blackjack; the insurance bet usually pays 2-to-1 if dealer really does have 21. (This is usually a poor percentage bet for the player.) |
| Back to Blackjack home Page |
|
