Vegas Blackjack

Fortune Games® Slots Review of Vegas Blackjack Casino Game 

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Before we dive into the specific rules of this variant of blackjack, let us first review the general rules of the game. In this game, one or more decks of playing cards are shuffled together and dealt out of a shoe. Each player will receive two face-up cards after making a bet, while the dealer will generally receive one face-up and one face-down card.

A card's rank determines its score. A numbered card is worth its value; for example, a seven is worth seven points. Face cards are worth ten, while aces can be worth one or 11, depending on the situation. In blackjack, the object is to have a better hand than the dealer; the best possible score is 21, and players generally try to stay close to that number without going over.

Blackjack is the best hand in this game. As soon as a player or dealer gets an ace and a ten-point card, they have a "natural" 21. Unless the dealer also has a blackjack, these hands pay out at special 3-2 odds.

If the dealer's up card is a ten or an ace, they will first check to see if they have a blackjack. A player can also bet on insurance if the card is an ace. One-half of the initial wager is typically required for this bet. All insurance bets pay out at 2-1 odds if the dealer has a ten underneath.

This means that players will break even if their insurance pays off (since they lose their initial bet), while player blackjacks will pay out at even money rather than 3-2 (dealers often simplify this option by simply offering them even money before looking at their down card).

Play continues if the dealer does not have a blackjack. In order to improve their chances of winning, each player can now make decisions about their hand. Several options are available, including:

• Stand: If the player chooses to do this, they pass the option of taking more cards, ending their turn.
• Hit: The player receives one more card from the dealer. They can then choose to continue hitting or stand at any time.
• Double Down: This option is available when the player has two cards. They then receive exactly one more card, after which they must stand.
• Split: This option is only available when the player starts with two cards of the same rank. They may then split them into two separate hands – played for one bet each – which then get played out as normal.

During the course of the game, each player plays his or her hand or hands until he or she stands (or is forced to after doubling down), or until their hand contains 22 or more points, at which point they have "busted." A busted hand immediately loses and all bets are forfeited.

After all players have played their hands, the dealer will take their turn. After revealing their down card, they must follow specific rules on how to play their hand that should be written on the table. It is almost universal for dealers to hit on all hands of 16 or less, and to stand on all hands of 18 or more. While all games require the dealer to stand on a "hard" 17, they may or may not hit on a "soft" 17 - that is, one that contains an ace that still counts as 11.

All remaining player bets win at even money if the dealer goes bust. A player's hand is compared to the dealer's if the dealer stands. On all bets, a player who has a higher hand than the dealer wins even money. The player loses all bets if the dealer hand is higher. All bets push if there is a tie.

Understanding the Vegas Rules

Vegas Blackjack online is a pretty standard version of the game. This is pretty close to what most people consider the "default" rules, so there aren't many surprises here that change your basic strategy.

Cards are dealt from a four-deck shoe that is continuously shuffled after each hand. A player may double on any two-card hand, and split exactly once, up to a maximum of two times. Aces can be split, but each new hand receives just one card, and the new hands must stand. On all 17s, the dealer will stand.

All in all, this version of the game offers players some very good odds. It offers a house edge of about 0.40%, which is right up there with some of the best online variants.

Crafting Your Strategy

It is important to know what decisions to make in every possible situation when developing a strategy. You can print out, purchase, or memorize charts that teach you how to play mathematically correct games for almost all variants. This is especially true for rulesets similar to those used in Vegas Blackjack.

A simplified strategy can be used to get close to the optimal house edge without the need for deep memorization or a reference guide if you don't want to seek out a complete chart.

This strategy is based on one created by The Wizard of Odds, but with some adjustments to simplify the process even more. Simply look up the hand situation you are in, and take the recommended action. A "soft" hand is one with an ace that is still worth 11 points, while any other hand is a "hard" hand. In this strategy guide, anything between a two and a six is considered a low card, while a seven through an ace is considered a high card.

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Win, etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time