If the dealer has Blackjack you lose your original bet, but you are paid $2 on your insurance. Insurance pays 2-1, therefore, if you have a $2 bet you should take a $1 insurance wager (1/2 of original bet). If you decide to take insurance you are insuring your hand in the event the dealer has Blackjack.The object of doubling down is to double your winnings. Player doubles his bet and is dealt only ONE more card. You may double down on any first two cards and after splitting on shoe games only, preferably totaling 10 or 11.

The object for Splitting Pairs is to improve or salvage a hand (two 8's equals 16, a player splits in hopes of drawing to two hands of 18 each).

When pairs of Aces are split the player only receives one card for each Ace. Your cards are split and you are now playing two separate hands. Put equal amount of bet next to original wager.

Always split pairs of Aces and pairs of Eights.

If he busts he must pay all the players still in the game. If he has 17 or more he does not take any more cards. If he has 16 or less he must draw additional cards until he reaches 17 or over. After each player is satisfied with the cards he has asked for, the Dealer turns up his hidden card.

If you go over 21 (bust) you lose even if the Dealer goes Bust.

If your total is nearer 21 than the Dealer's, you win even money. If not, you can take a 'hit' (draw one or more cards, one at a time).

If you are satisfied with the total of your two cards, you can 'stand' (draw no more cards).

The Dealer's first card is face up, his second card is face down. The Ace counts as 1 or 11, whichever you wish.

The Jack, Queen, and King count as 10.

Blackjack is an Ace and any Ten-value card on the first two cards dealt.

The object of the game is to draw cards that add up to 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over (bust).

Blackjack does the dealer hit on 17