01The goal
As in blackjack: finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. The difference is the table. There are no seats to wait for: everyone bets on one hand, however many people are playing.
02One hand, your own decisions
Everyone gets the same two opening cards. From there, each player decides alone. When you hit, the next card is dealt to everyone still hitting; when you stand, you keep the cards you have, and the hand goes on without you.
So two players at the same table can finish with different hands, and different results, from the same cards.
03How a round runs
Bet on the hand
While betting is open, pick a chip and tap ONE HAND.
The deal
Two cards for the shared hand and two for the dealer: one face up, one face down (the hole card). If the dealer shows an ace you may take insurance; under an ace or a ten the dealer checks the hole card for blackjack before anyone plays.
Decide, step by step
Hit, Stand, or Double on the first two cards, each against its clock. If time runs out, your hand stands.
The dealer plays
Once everyone has finished, the dealer draws to 16 and stands on all 17s.
Settle
Every player's hand is settled against the dealer's.
04Your decisions
- Hit
- Take the next card, shared with everyone else who hits.
- Stand
- Keep what you have. Your hand is finished.
- Double
- On the first two cards only: double your bet and take exactly one more card.
05Six-card Charlie
Six cards without going over 21 is a Six-card Charlie. It wins 1 : 1 the moment it is made, whatever the dealer goes on to draw, a dealer blackjack included.
06The hole card and insurance
The dealer's second card is dealt face down and turned at the dealer's turn. When the dealer shows an ace or a ten, the hole card is checked for blackjack before anyone plays: a dealer blackjack ends the round at once — every hand loses its bet, and a player blackjack is a push. Nobody has doubled into it.
07Payouts
| Result | Pays |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | 3 : 2 |
| Win | 1 : 1 |
| Six-card Charlie | 1 : 1 |
| Insurance (dealer blackjack) | 2 : 1 |
| Push (a tie) | Bet returned |
A payout is what each unit staked wins; the stake comes back too.
| Rule | At our tables |
|---|---|
| Decks in the shoe | 8 |
| Dealer stands on | All 17s |
| Hole card | Face down; checked for blackjack under an ace or a ten |
| Insurance | On a dealer ace, half your bet |
| Double | First two cards |
| Split, surrender | Not offered |
| Players | No limit |
08Glossary
- Shared hand
- The one hand every player bets on.
- Six-card Charlie
- Six cards totalling 21 or less: an automatic win.
- Hole card
- The dealer's second card, dealt face down and turned at the dealer's turn.
- Insurance
- A side bet of half your bet when the dealer shows an ace; it pays 2 : 1 on a dealer blackjack.
- Bust
- Going over 21. A busted hand loses at once.
- Push
- A tie with the dealer. Your bet comes back.
09Questions
Is there ever a wait for a seat?
No. Everyone bets on the same hand, so there is room for every player.
Do other players' decisions change my hand?
No. When you stand your hand is finished, whatever anyone else does. Cards dealt after that go only to players still hitting.
What happens if my time runs out?
Your hand stands.
Can I use the blackjack strategy chart here?
Not as it is: that chart assumes a dealer who checks for blackjack, splits and surrender, none of which this table has.
