Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

THE GAMES 209
17 or over. If the dealer’s total exceeds 21, he or she must pay all the players
whose hands have not gone “bust.” It is important to note here that the blackjack
dealer has no choice as to whether he or she should stay or draw. A dealer’s
decisions are predetermined and known to all the players at the table.
If you’re a novice or just rusty, do yourself a favor and buy one of the small
laminated cards available in shops all over town that illustrate proper play for
every possible hand in blackjack. Even longtime players have been known to pull
them out every now and then, and they can save you from making costly errors.
HOW TO PLAY
Here are eight “rules” for blackjack:
1. Place the number of chips that you want to bet on the betting space on your
table.
2. Look at the first two cards the dealer starts you with. If you wish to “stand”
then wave your hand over your cards, palm down (watch your fellow players),
indicating that you don’t wish any additional cards. If you elect to draw
an additional card, you tell the dealer to “hit” you by tapping the table with
a finger (watch your fellow players).
3. If your count goes over 21, you are “bust” and lose, even if the dealer also
goes “bust” afterward.
4. If you make 21 in your first two cards (any picture card or 10 with an ace),
you’ve got blackjack. You will be paid 1 1 ⁄2 times your bet, provided the dealer
does not have blackjack too, in which case it’s a push and nobody wins.
5. If you find a “pair” in your first two cards (say, two 8s or two aces), you may
“split” the pair into two hands and treat each card as the first card dealt in
two separate hands. You will need to place an additional bet, equal to your
original bet, on the table. The dealer will then deal you a new second card to
the first split card and play commences as described above. This will be done
for the second split card as well. Note: When you split aces you will receive
only one additional card per ace and must “stand.”
6. After seeing your two starting cards, you have the option to “double down.”
You place an amount equal to your original bet on the table and you receive
only one more card. Doubling down is a strategy to capitalize on a potentially
strong hand against the dealer’s weaker hand. Tip: You may double
down for less than your original bet, but never for more.
7. Anytime the dealer deals himself or herself an ace for the “up” card, you may
insure your hand against the possibility that the hole card is a 10 or face
card, which would give him or her an automatic blackjack. To insure, you
Tips Look, but Don’t Touch!
1. Never touch your cards (or anyone else’s), unless it’s specifically stated
at the table that you may. While you’ll only receive a verbal slap on
the wrist if you violate this rule, you really don’t want to get one.
2. Players must use hand signals to indicate their wishes to the dealer.
All verbal directions by players will be politely ignored by the dealer,
who will remind players to use hand signals. The reason for this is the
“Eye in the Sky,” the casino’s security system, which focuses an “eye”
on every table, and must record players’ decisions to avoid accusations
of misconduct or collusion.