Play Variations
- Dealer makes obvious plays - You will find that some dealers will not wait for you to signal a hit or stand if you are a good player and the play is obvious. This option will cause the dealer to play for you in these situations to speed the game.
- Dealer points out stupid plays - In most casinos, if you do something very odd (e.g. double down on a hard 18), the dealer will ask you if you really wanted to take this action. This option adds realism and can be used to avoid misplays.
- Insure then Surrender allowed - In some situations, depending on the options set above, you may want to insure a hand and then Surrender the same hand. In a casino, this can cause some interesting conversations with the dealer or pit boss. Casinos will often argue that a hand that has been insured cannot be surrendered because it no longer exists. You might argue that Insurance is purely a side bet.
- Dealer shows burn cards - Some casinos discard (burn) one to five cards off the top of the deck after shuffling. With this option on, the cards are shown. Otherwise, the hands are discarded face down. This option is only of interest to card counters.
- Dealer peeks on 10 - With this option, the dealer will peek at the down card to check for Blackjack when the dealer up card is a ten. This option is becoming more common as newly developed optical devices for peeking at the down card are being installed on casino tables.
- Dealer peeks on Ace - Normally, the dealer will peek at the down card when an Ace is showing, as there is a good chance that a Blackjack exists. Some casinos do not check to prevent cheating.
- Dealer wins tied 17 - This awful option causes tied 17 hands to be lost instead of pushed.
- Dealer wins ties - With this option, you lose your bet on a tied hand. This awful option sometimes is added to counteract another unusual option that heavily favors the player.
- Five cards unbusted wins - With this option, the player always wins when five cards have been drawn without busting.
- Six cards unbusted wins - With this option, the player always wins when six cards have been drawn without busting.
- Seven cards unbusted wins - With this option, the player always wins when seven cards have been drawn without busting.
- Player 22 counts as 21 - When set, the player does not bust with a total of 22.
- Dealer wins tied 17, 18 and 19 - This awful option causes tied 17, 18 and 19 hands to be lost instead of pushed. This lousy rule exists in Swedish casinos.