Play must be completed on one hand before playing the next one. Pairs may be split two times for a total of three hands, except for Aces that may only be split once. SPLITTING PAIRS: When the first two cards received are of the same value, the player has the option of splitting them to form two separate hands. The dealer must draw to 16 and stand when 17 or more is reached. In the event of a tie, neither hand wins nor loses. If the player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, but does not exceed 21, or the dealer’s count exceeds 21, the player wins. Players have the option of surrendering one half of their wager before drawing any cards to their hand, as long as the dealer does not have a Blackjack. They signal they would like to take an additional card by scratching the felt in front of them. Players signal their desire to stand by waving their hand palm down in front of them. When dealt any other two-card combination, the player can stand (refuse additional cards) or, when it is one’s turn, signal the dealer to hit (receive additional cards). A Blackjack cannot lose it will push (tie) if the dealer also has Blackjack. Blackjack pays 3 to 2 (one and a half times the bet). A Blackjack is a total of 21 on the original two cards. RULES: Cards are counted at their face value. Blackjack may be played with multiple decks of cards. The object of Blackjack is to end up with a hand that will come closer than the dealer to 21, without exceeding 21.
