Atlantic City Blackjack

One of the variations of Blackjack is Atlantic City Blackjack. Just as the standard game it is played with 8 decks of cards. One deck has 52 cards, and all cards are reshuffled after each hand. In order to win the total value of the cards in your hand must be as close to 21 as possible without going over. The player closest to 21 wins the hand.

One of the key differences is that you are allowed to bet only one hand at a time.

Just as in a standard game you have a Blackjack if you are dealt an Ace and a card valued at ten. Blackjack is the best hand in the game. It will always win, unless another player also has a Blackjack. In that case the game is tied.

Atlantic City Blackjack Rules:

• American game played with all the cards;
• Dealer is allowed to take a look at the face down card, if his face up card is an Ace or another card valued at 10;
• 8 decks of cards are used;
• if the dealer hits 17 he must always stand;
• double down is allowed regardless of first two cards;
• you are allowed to double after splitting;
• you are allowed to re-split, thus playing up to 4 hands at a time;
• you are not allowed to re-split aces;
• it is not considered Blackjack if you get a ten valued card over a split Ace;
• you can split cards of the same value, not necessarily pairs;
• surrender is always an option and allowed.

Payout Schedule

If you get a Blackjack in Atlantic City Blackjack the house will reward you with a pay ratio of 3-to-2. This means that if your betting amount is 30 credits and you get a Blackjack you will receive 45 (your win amount) + 30 (your initial bet)= 75 credits.

If you beat the house but do not have a Blackjack the pay ratio is 1-to-1. For example if your betting amount is 50 credits and you beat the house you will be paid 50 (your win amount) + 50 (your initial bet) = 100 credits.

Insurances are paid at a ratio of 2-to-1. This means that if you have an insurance of 20 credits (half your initial bet) and the dealer gets a Blackjack, you will win 40 credits but lose your initial bet.

Atlantic City Blackjack Terms

21 - The total value of the cards in your hand amounts to 21. Note that if you have a Ten of Diamonds, a Three of Spades and an Eight of Clubs, the total value of your cards is indeed 21, but this is not Blackjack. Also remember that Blackjack will always beat a 21.

Advanced Blackjack Strategy Table - You have the option of using the AutoPlay. Its default strategy is already set to give the player an edge. At the Advanced Blackjack Strategy Table you can set the default AutoPlay strategy. You can keep the preset one or make your own.

Blackjack - When you are dealt an Ace and a 10, or any other card equal to a ten, you have a Blackjack. Blackjack is the best hand and will always win. You cannot win against a Blackjack; you can only push the game.

Bust - If the total value of the cards dealt to you exceeds 21 you are bust. You will lose your hand and your betting amount.

Denomination - The value attributed to the cards in the deck. Remember that Jacks, Queens and Kings are valued at 10, and Aces are either 1 or 11.

Double Down - Regardless of the cards in your hand you have the option of doubling your bet. This will give you the chance of winning up to four times your initial betting amount. The catch is that after doubling you are only dealt one more card and then you must stand and let the dealer play his hand. Double Down only if you are sure your hand will beat the dealer's.

Hit - If your hand is not good enough to beat the dealer's you can ask him for another card. The dealer will give you another card, but be careful not to go over 21.

Hole Card - The face down card of the dealer is called a Hole Card.

Insurance - When the dealer's first up card is an Ace and you think he'll have a Blackjack you can put half your betting amount aside as insurance. If you also have a Blackjack you do not need insurance, the game is pushed.

Push - The total value of your hand is equal to the dealer's hand. You will get your initial bet back.

Split - unlike Standard Blackjack, in Atlantic City Blackjack you are allowed to split cards of the same denomination. You will then have two hands to play. For the second hand you must place a bet equal to the one on the first hand. You are also allowed to re-split 3 times, thus having 4 hands to play. Aces though can be split only once.

Stand - If you are happy with your hand and confident that you can win you can stand. You will not be dealt any more cards. After the dealer plays his hand the player closest to 21 wins.

Surrender - if you are not happy with your hand and do not want to lose you betting amount you can forfeit your hand. You will lose the chance to play your hand but you will get your initial bet back.

Value - Each card in the deck has a certain denomination. For example Face cards are counted as 10, and Aces are 1 or 11.