Common Rules
- Cards dealt face down - Most casinos deal cards face up with six of eight decks and face down with one or two decks; but there are exceptions to both. Tap to change.
- Double down after split - Selecting this option allows doubling down on hands that have been created by splitting a pair. This is common in Atlantic City, available in Las Vegas and available at about 30% of the world's casinos. This rule has an advantage of .12-.14%. Most strategies are affected by this rule and the related strategy tables will automatically be updated when this option is changed.
- Dealer hits soft 17 - With this option, the dealer will hit a soft 17 (e.g. Ace, 6 or Ace, 3, 3). With the option off, the dealer stands. This option is common in downtown Las Vegas, nearly all single deck games and at about 50% of the world's casinos. It substantially lowers the player's advantage as he is less likely to bust, and is one of the more important options. The rule adds .2% or more to the house advantage. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common in Las Vegas, particularly at cheaper tables. Note: Changing this option automatically changes the strategy tables in effect.
- No dealer hole card - With this option, seen in most casinos outside the U.S., the dealer does not receive a second card until after the players have played their hands. With this option, the dealer cannot peek to check for Blackjack. Note: In most casinos with this rule, the dealer takes all Double Down and Split bets when he has a Blackjack. In this case, you should also set the Dealer Blackjack wins all option below.
- Dealer Blackjack wins all - This option worsens the players' odds. If the dealer does not peek and then discovers a dealer Blackjack after all players have played, all player split hands and double down bets lose when this option is on. When the option is off, splits and double downs are considered as never having occurred and the player retains the bets. This rule is rare in the U.S. The rule adds about .09% to the house advantage depending on the other rules.
- Hard Doubles - Select from the combo box the hands where doubling is allowed. In Las Vegas, you can usually double on any hard hand. Single deck games often limit doubles to hands totaling 10 or 11, particularly in Reno. Many non-U.S. casinos also limit doubles. The increase in house advantage for Double on 10 and 11 only is about .45-.52%. Adding Double on 9 reduces house advantage by .08-.13%. Note: There are many additional Double Down options on the Rule Variations screen.
- Soft Doubles - Select from the combo box the hands where soft doubling is allowed. In Las Vegas, you can usually double on any soft hand. Most single deck games and many non-U.S. casinos do not allow soft doubles at all. The increase in house advantage for no soft doubles is about .08-.13%.
- Insurance - This nearly universal option allows an insurance bet against a dealer face up Ace. Some casinos in Europe allow insurance bets only when the player has a Blackjack.
- Late Surrender - The common form of surrender is allowed by setting this option. The player can Surrender a hand (throw it in) for half of the bet after the dealer has checked for Blackjack. If the dealer is not allowed to peek and does not know if there is a dealer Blackjack (see peek options) then a Surrender chip is placed on your bet and the Surrender occurs only after the dealer checks for Blackjack and finds that it does not exist.
- Early Surrender - This less and less available option allows Surrender of a hand before the dealer checks for Blackjack. If you can find a casino that allows it, this is one of the most valuable options in the game. A few casinos in Vancouver, Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe and France offer the rule. Advantage is about .6-.7%.
- Early Surrender vs. 10 - This option is the same as Late Surrender, except that you can also Surrender against a dealer up card of ten even if the dealer has a Blackjack.
- Macao Surrender - This, currently obsolete, rule allows Surrender of an unbusted hand with five cards.
- Limits - Set the table limits. Your bets will be required to fall within these limits.