This is Blackjack - but Blackjack in the Zero Lounge.
To Play the Game
Click on a chip, at the bottom left corner of the screen, to select the desired chip value.
Click on one of the bet areas to place your initial bet(s). To remove or change a bet, right-click the chip pile on the table or use the Clear bets button. The amount placed must be greater-than, or equal-to the minimum bet requirement posted on the table.
Click on the Deal button to have the cards dealt.
Additional bets once the cards have been dealt include Double and Split bets, as well as options to take Insurance.
At all times, you will be able to see your Balance and the Total of your current bet.
To start a new game you should click on New Game. To repeat the same bet you placed in the last game, click Rebet.
Objective
In Blackjack, the object of the game is to beat the dealer by having a hand that totals 21 (without going over) or is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand.
Zero Blackjack Additional Features
Suited Natural Blackjack
In Zero Blackjack a Suited Natural Blackjack, where the players first two cards total 21 and are of the same suit (eg Ace of Spades and Jack of Spades), pays 2:1 instead of the standard payout of 3:2 for a Blackjack. A Suited Natural Blackjack does not beat a standard Blackjack and if both the player and dealer have a Blackjack (regardless of whether it is a standard Blackjack or Suited Natural Blackjack), it is always a "push".
5-Card 21
If at any stage the player achieves a points total of 21 having taken exactly 5 cards on the hand, the player will immediately be paid out at 2:1. A player 5-card 21 beats any dealer drawn 21, but does not beat a dealer Blackjack. The 5-card 21 rule does not apply to the dealer and therefore a dealer 5-card 21 will "push" against a player 21 with less than 5 cards.
Expected Return
Expected player return on zero Blackjack (using perfect player strategy) is 100.00% (Correct to 2 decimal places)
Rules
The game is played using 8 decks of cards, re-shuffled after each round.
Once a player has bet, both the player and the dealer are dealt two cards each. The player's cards are dealt face up. The dealer's first card is dealt face down. The Ace can be used as a 1 or 11 points.
Any card combined with an Ace, other than a card that has a value of 10, is considered a "soft hand". Meaning that if the player has 4 and an Ace, it would be considered 5 or soft 15. The King, Queen, Jack and Ten are 10 points each; all other cards are worth their face values. If the player's first two cards total 21, then it's a Blackjack. If the player's first two cards total 21 and the two cards are of the same suit, then it's a Suited Natural Blackjack.
If you are dealt any two cards other than a Blackjack, you may "Stand" (refuse any further cards), or "Hit" (accept another card). A player who stands will not receive additional cards. Cards are dealt until the player stands or "busts" (exceeds 21). When you bust, you immediately lose your bet regardless of the dealer's hand result.
After the player's final actions, the dealer reveals the down card. If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, the dealer must continue to "hit" until reaching 17 or more. The dealer must stand on soft 17 and cannot take additional cards. If the dealer exceeds 21 ("bust"), and the player has stood without busting, the player wins. When the dealer stands on 17 or greater and has a higher count than the player - the dealer wins; if the player has the higher count - the player wins. If the player and the dealer have the same totals, it's a "push" (tie) except in the case when the player has drawn 5-cards on the hand and has a total of 21 (see above).
Options
Splitting
When a player is dealt two cards with equal values, with the exception of two Aces, they have the option of "splitting" them into two separate hands. In order to "split", the initial bet has to be matched. Each hand is then played separately. If the player has two Aces they will not be offered the opportunity to split the hand. A hand can only be split once. A two card 21 total on a split is not a natural blackjack. If the hand wins it will pay even money.
Doubling Down
A player may double if their first two cards total 8,9,10 or 11. When a player doubles, only one more card is dealt and the original bet has to be matched. Essentially, the player bets the hand can be won with one more card. You can also "double down" after "splitting" a pair.
Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player is offered "insurance". Taking insurance means the player makes a second bet (of half the original bet) that the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If this is the case, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet and the initial bet loses as it is beaten by the dealer's Blackjack. If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal.
Even Money
When the player has a Blackjack and the dealer's up card is an Ace, the player is offered "even money". Taking even money means the player will be paid 1 to 1 on the Blackjack and not 3 to 2 as normal. Taking even money means the player believes the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If the player chooses not to take even money and the dealer reveals a Blackjack, both hands tie. If no even money is taken and the dealer has no Blackjack, the player is paid at 3 to 2.
Payouts
| Winning Wager | Odds Payout |
| Winning Hand | 1 - 1 |
| Winning Hand Totalling 21 with 5 Cards | 2 - 1 |
| Suited Natural Blackjack | 2 - 1 |
| Blackjack | 3 - 2 |
| Insurance | 2 - 1 |
| Even Money | 1 - 1 |
Interface
Towards the bottom of the game window you'll find the Betfair Casino toolbar. This contains the following:-
Current balance
Your account balance. The Betfair Casino keeps you u to date with the amount of money you have in your account at all times.
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Cashier
Clicking on this button opens the Cashier window. In here you can make deposits and withdrawls from your account as well as checking out your transaction history et al.
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Chat
Clicking on the chat facility will allow you to talk to others. A black strip next to the chat button will turn into a text box and in here you can type your message and to send simply press chat again. Doing this opens a new chat window.. Please note: You can only chat to other uses when you are playing multi-player games at the Betfair Casino.
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Menu
Under the Menu function you'll find three important functions of the Betfair
Casino
Viewing the games history is easy. Just click on the History
button (this is available in both
online and offline mode) This opens a window where you can read the latest
results from the game which you are currently playing.
Clicking on
Options gives you several ways to enhance your Betfair Casino experience
including audio setting and various gameplay settings. Help opens the help
article that accompanies the game which you are reading right now.
Online Support lets you contact a Betfair Casino customer support specialist, as long as one is available.
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Close/Lobby
Clicking this button will return to the Betfair Casino Lobby and close your current gaming window. If you have Multiwindow support setup and enabled (this is where games are opened in new windows), the button will say Close. If Multiwindow support is not setup or disabled (your games are opened in the same window as the Lobby), then the button will say Lobby. You can easily enable or disable this feature in the options menu discussed in the previous paragraph.
Shortcut keys
If you wish, you can press the following keys on your keyboard instead of clicking on the buttons on the screen.
|
Press this key |
To do this |
|
TAB |
Tab between the buttons on the screen. |
|
ENTER |
Click the button that is currently highlighted. |
|
SPACEBAR |
Place your previous bet, press again to spin the wheel as well. |
|
Number keys |
Select a chip. Different number keys select different chips. The number of functioning keys depends on the chips allowed for the current player and can be subject to change. |
|
ESC |
Exit the game and go back to the lobby. |
Note on large wins: If you are lucky (or skillful) enough to win more than £10,000 then this will need to be varified by a live operator as the Betfair Casino regards this as a high win.
Note on malfunctions: A malfunction voids all pays and plays.
Note on disconnections: If your internet connection fails on you and you are disconnected from the Internet in the middle of a game while playing for Real Money then don't panic. Just re-establish your Internet connection and log back into the Betfair Casino lobby. Then click History and you'll see the result of your previous round and if you've won then your winning will be added to your account.