Blackjack Dealer Rules
Blackjack Dealer Rules -- Dealer Protocol
If you're looking for extra credit. Read this section. It's dry, it's boring and it's what Blackjack Dealers need to know. Taken straight from a Casino's official manual.
I've included only the most pertinent sections of this manual for Blackjack players: "Definitions," "Dealing from a Manual Shoe," "Player Conduct," and "The Play."
Most of you will be interested only in Point #8: Drawing of Additional Cards by Dealer. This is a game manual for "Dealer Hits Soft 17"
If you're looking for extra credit. Read this section. It's dry, it's boring and it's what Blackjack Dealers need to know. Taken straight from a Casino's official manual.
I've included only the most pertinent sections of this manual for Blackjack players: "Definitions," "Dealing from a Manual Shoe," "Player Conduct," and "The Play."
Most of you will be interested only in Point #8: Drawing of Additional Cards by Dealer. This is a game manual for "Dealer Hits Soft 17"
Blackjack Definitions.
1 "Blackjack" means the combination of an Ace and any card having a point value often dealt as the initial two cards to a player or a dealer, except that a Blackjack is not the combination of an Ace and a ten value card drawn after splitting a pair of Aces or tens.
2 "Double Down" means a wager made by a player who doubles the amount of his or her original wager after the first two cards of the player's hand have been dealt or who places such an additional wager on any first two cards of any split pair; provided however, that a player making such a wager may only draw one card.
3. "Hard Total" means the total point count of a hand which contains no aces or which contains aces that are each counted as one point in value.
4. "Insurance" means the election of a player to wager that the dealer does have a Blackjack when the dealer has one card down and one card showing which is an ace.
5. "Push" or "Standoff' (hereafter "push") means the circumstance in which a player and dealer have the same point total of twenty-one or less, resulting in a tie and cancellation of the player's wager; except that a push is not the circumstance in which both a player and the dealer have 21 points but only one of these opponents has a Blackjack.
6. "Split" means the election of a player who has been dealt two cards identical in value to split the single hand into two separate hands and concomitantly make a wager on the separately formed second hand which is equal in value to the original wager.
7. "Surrender" means the election of a player to discontinue play on that player's hand for that round by giving over to the casino one half of player's wager after the first two cards are dealt to the player and the player's point total is announced; except that where the dealer has Blackjack with an Ace showing, no surrender is permitted.
8. "Washing" or "Chemmy Shuffle" means mixing cards face down on the table with a circular motion of the hands
1 "Blackjack" means the combination of an Ace and any card having a point value often dealt as the initial two cards to a player or a dealer, except that a Blackjack is not the combination of an Ace and a ten value card drawn after splitting a pair of Aces or tens.
2 "Double Down" means a wager made by a player who doubles the amount of his or her original wager after the first two cards of the player's hand have been dealt or who places such an additional wager on any first two cards of any split pair; provided however, that a player making such a wager may only draw one card.
3. "Hard Total" means the total point count of a hand which contains no aces or which contains aces that are each counted as one point in value.
4. "Insurance" means the election of a player to wager that the dealer does have a Blackjack when the dealer has one card down and one card showing which is an ace.
5. "Push" or "Standoff' (hereafter "push") means the circumstance in which a player and dealer have the same point total of twenty-one or less, resulting in a tie and cancellation of the player's wager; except that a push is not the circumstance in which both a player and the dealer have 21 points but only one of these opponents has a Blackjack.
6. "Split" means the election of a player who has been dealt two cards identical in value to split the single hand into two separate hands and concomitantly make a wager on the separately formed second hand which is equal in value to the original wager.
7. "Surrender" means the election of a player to discontinue play on that player's hand for that round by giving over to the casino one half of player's wager after the first two cards are dealt to the player and the player's point total is announced; except that where the dealer has Blackjack with an Ace showing, no surrender is permitted.
8. "Washing" or "Chemmy Shuffle" means mixing cards face down on the table with a circular motion of the hands
Procedures for Dealing from a Manual Shoe.
If a casino chooses to have the cards dealt from a manual dealing shoe shall be located on the table during game play.
2. Once the procedures required by Subsection E (Shuffle and Cut of the Cards) have been completed, the stacked deck( s) of cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe either by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
3. After the deck( s) of cards are placed in the shoe, the dealer shall remove at least one card from the top of the shoe and place the card( s) face downwards on the discard rack which shall be located on the table immediately to the right of the dealer.
The card(s) which have been placed face down in the discard rack, otherwise known as the "burn card( s )," shall be disclosed if requested by a player.
4. In dealing the cards, each card shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the hand of the dealer that is closest to the dealing shoe and placed on the appropriate area of the layout with the opposite hand.
The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to his or her left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal the cards as follows:
a. One card face up to each player who has placed a wager in accordance with Subsection G (Wagers);
b. One card face down to the area designated for the placement of the dealer's hand;
c. A second card face up to each player who has placed a wager in accordance with Subsection G (Wagers);
d. A second card face down to the area designated for the placement of the dealer's hand; the dealer's first card is then turned face up.
5. After two cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer, the dealer shall, beginning on the dealer's left, indicate each player's turn to act. Such player shall indicate to the dealer whether he wishes to stand, draw, or make any other election as permitted by these rules.
6. As each player makes an election, the dealer shall deal face upwards whatever additional cards are necessary to effectuate such election consistent with these rules.
7. Drawing of Additional Cards by Players.
A player may elect to draw additional cards whenever that player's point count total is less than 21 except that:
a. A player having a Blackjack or a hard total of 21 may not draw additional cards;
b. A player electing to double down may draw only one additional card; and
c. A player splitting Aces shall only have one card dealt to each Ace and may not elect to receive additional cards.
8. Drawing of Additional Cards by Dealer.
After the decisions of each player have been implemented and all additional cards have been dealt to the players, the dealer shall turn his or her second card face upward. Any additional cards dealt to the hand of the dealer shall be dealt face upwards in accordance with the following:
a. Except as provided in (b) below, a dealer shall draw additional cards to his hand until he has a hard 17 or hard or soft total of 18, 19, 20 or 21 at which point no additional cards shall be drawn. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the option of the casino, dealer may stand on a soft 17.
b. A dealer shall draw no additional cards to his hand, regardless of the point count, if decisions have been made on all players' hands and the point count of the dealer's hand will have no effect on the outcome of the round of play.
9. At the conclusion of a round of play, all cards still remaining on the layout shall be picked up by the dealer in order and in such a way that they can be readily arranged to indicate each player's hand in case of questions or dispute.
The dealer shall pick up the cards beginning with those of the player to the far right of the dealer and moving counter-clockwise around the table.
After all the players cards have been collected, the dealer shall pick up his cards and place them in the discard rack on top of the players' cards.
Player conduct.
a. At no time shall a player or non-player be allowed to handle, alter or remove any cards used to game at Blackjack except as explicitly permitted in these Rules.
b. Each player at the table shall be responsible for correctly computing the total of his/her hand, and no player shall rely on any totals announced by the dealer.
c. Whenever all players leave a table, the dealer may repeat the procedures contained in Subsection D (Opening the Table for Gaming).
a. At no time shall a player or non-player be allowed to handle, alter or remove any cards used to game at Blackjack except as explicitly permitted in these Rules.
b. Each player at the table shall be responsible for correctly computing the total of his/her hand, and no player shall rely on any totals announced by the dealer.
c. Whenever all players leave a table, the dealer may repeat the procedures contained in Subsection D (Opening the Table for Gaming).
The Play.
Winning Wagers.
A player's wager shall win if:
a. The score of the player is 21 or less and the score of the dealer is in excess of 21;
b. The score of the player exceeds that of the dealer without either opponent exceeding 21; or
c. Both the player and dealer have achieved a score of 21; however, the player has a Blackjack and the dealer does not.
2 Losing Wagers.
A player's wager shall lose if:
a. No matter what the score of the dealer, the score of the player is in excess of 21;
b. The score of the dealer exceeds that of the player without either opponent exceeding 21; or
c Both the dealer and player have achieved a score of 21; however, the dealer has a Blackjack and the player does not;
3. Push.
A player's wager shall be canceled in the event of a push. Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, the Casino may deem to be a push the circumstance in which the player has a simple 21 and the dealer a Blackjack.
The game rule regarding a push shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is played.
4. Payment of a Blackjack.
a. If the first face up card dealt to the dealer is 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9 and a player has Blackjack, the dealer shall announce and pay the winner at odds in play at that table, either immediately or at the hand's conclusion.
b. If the first face up card dealt to the dealer is an Ace, King, Queen, Jack or Ten and a player has a Blackjack, the dealer shall announce the Blackjack but shall make no payment nor remove any cards until all other cards are dealt to the players and the dealer receives a second card.
If, in such circumstances, the dealer's second card does not give the dealer a Blackjack, the player having a Blackjack shall be paid at odds in play at that table. If, however, the dealer's second card gives him a Blackjack, the wager of the player having a Blackjack shall constitute a tie or a push.
5 Surrender.
The Casino may allow all players to surrender or may prohibit them from surrendering. The game rule regarding surrender shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is played. If a casino offers Multiple Action Blackjack pursuant to Subsection L, the surrender option shall not be available.
6. Insurance.
The Casino may allow all may prohibit them from so wagering. shall be conspicuously posted.
7 Doubling Down.
The Casino may allow all players to double down, or may prohibit them from doubling down. The game rule regarding doubling down shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is played.
8. Splitting Pairs.
The Casino may allow all players to split, or may prohibit them from splitting. The game rule regarding splitting pairs shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is being played. The casino shall not allow the splitting of pairs more than once in games of Multiple Action Blackjack.
Winning Wagers.
A player's wager shall win if:
a. The score of the player is 21 or less and the score of the dealer is in excess of 21;
b. The score of the player exceeds that of the dealer without either opponent exceeding 21; or
c. Both the player and dealer have achieved a score of 21; however, the player has a Blackjack and the dealer does not.
2 Losing Wagers.
A player's wager shall lose if:
a. No matter what the score of the dealer, the score of the player is in excess of 21;
b. The score of the dealer exceeds that of the player without either opponent exceeding 21; or
c Both the dealer and player have achieved a score of 21; however, the dealer has a Blackjack and the player does not;
3. Push.
A player's wager shall be canceled in the event of a push. Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, the Casino may deem to be a push the circumstance in which the player has a simple 21 and the dealer a Blackjack.
The game rule regarding a push shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is played.
4. Payment of a Blackjack.
a. If the first face up card dealt to the dealer is 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9 and a player has Blackjack, the dealer shall announce and pay the winner at odds in play at that table, either immediately or at the hand's conclusion.
b. If the first face up card dealt to the dealer is an Ace, King, Queen, Jack or Ten and a player has a Blackjack, the dealer shall announce the Blackjack but shall make no payment nor remove any cards until all other cards are dealt to the players and the dealer receives a second card.
If, in such circumstances, the dealer's second card does not give the dealer a Blackjack, the player having a Blackjack shall be paid at odds in play at that table. If, however, the dealer's second card gives him a Blackjack, the wager of the player having a Blackjack shall constitute a tie or a push.
5 Surrender.
The Casino may allow all players to surrender or may prohibit them from surrendering. The game rule regarding surrender shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is played. If a casino offers Multiple Action Blackjack pursuant to Subsection L, the surrender option shall not be available.
6. Insurance.
The Casino may allow all may prohibit them from so wagering. shall be conspicuously posted.
7 Doubling Down.
The Casino may allow all players to double down, or may prohibit them from doubling down. The game rule regarding doubling down shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is played.
8. Splitting Pairs.
The Casino may allow all players to split, or may prohibit them from splitting. The game rule regarding splitting pairs shall be conspicuously posted or available for review at the location where Blackjack is being played. The casino shall not allow the splitting of pairs more than once in games of Multiple Action Blackjack.
Now You've Got the Dealer Rules -- Learn How to WIN at Blackjack!
MYTHS About Blackjack Dealers
MYTH #1 Dealers Work for the Casino (true!); they want to cheat you!
Yes, dealers obviously work for the casino. NO, we actually want you to WIN! Why? It's a simple economic reason -- we want your TIPS ("tokes"). That's how dealers LIVE. The base salary SUCKS.
If we take all your money, we know we won't be getting any tips. So please, enough with the "cheating dealer" conspiracies. It's just not true. In fact if a dealer is caught cheating in ANY WAY, he or she will be IMMEDIATELY terminated and walked off the premise.
Yes, dealers obviously work for the casino. NO, we actually want you to WIN! Why? It's a simple economic reason -- we want your TIPS ("tokes"). That's how dealers LIVE. The base salary SUCKS.
If we take all your money, we know we won't be getting any tips. So please, enough with the "cheating dealer" conspiracies. It's just not true. In fact if a dealer is caught cheating in ANY WAY, he or she will be IMMEDIATELY terminated and walked off the premise.
MYTH #2 Younger Female Dealers are easier to win from -- as opposed to older male dealers.
I'm curious how this myth ever got started. But it's absurd and patently fasle. As you've seen above there are STRICT protocols for the dealer. We all have to follow them exactly -- male or female, young or old.
I'm curious how this myth ever got started. But it's absurd and patently fasle. As you've seen above there are STRICT protocols for the dealer. We all have to follow them exactly -- male or female, young or old.
MYTH #3 They rotate the dealer out when we start to win! Or if someone is doing well, we always get a new dealer.
Casinos don't rotate out dealers when the table is winning. What you need to understand is how dealer shifts work. Dealers will rotate out, depending on the casino, anywhere between 20-40 minutes.
Dealers get a lot of work breaks because it requires a great deal of concentration to properly deal most casino games. It has nothing to do with the tables luck and everything to do with a dealer getting his 20 minute break every hour.
Casinos don't rotate out dealers when the table is winning. What you need to understand is how dealer shifts work. Dealers will rotate out, depending on the casino, anywhere between 20-40 minutes.
Dealers get a lot of work breaks because it requires a great deal of concentration to properly deal most casino games. It has nothing to do with the tables luck and everything to do with a dealer getting his 20 minute break every hour.
MYTH #4 They teach dealers how to count card so they can spot players that are counting cards.
Casinos don't teach dealers to count cards. That would take waaaay too long. Training Blackjack dealers at "training" casinos is VERY expensive for the casino. It takes weeks to train a new dealer. Many casinos don't train their own dealers -- you interview and deal for the position to see if you get hired.
What they do teach fledgling dealers is what to look for in betting patterns. Jumping your bet from one unit to twelve SCREAMS "I'm a card counter!" Good dealers will verbally alert their "floor" (the dealers immediate supervisor) to large jumps in betting or unusual betting patterns.
"Floors" on the other hand are taught card counting. You don't need to worry about card counting at the lower minimum tables. Most "Floors" could care less if you're counting at at $5 table. But mess around at the higher table minimums and you're looking for an invitation to get "backed off" or made to flat bet only. A word to the wise.
Casinos don't teach dealers to count cards. That would take waaaay too long. Training Blackjack dealers at "training" casinos is VERY expensive for the casino. It takes weeks to train a new dealer. Many casinos don't train their own dealers -- you interview and deal for the position to see if you get hired.
What they do teach fledgling dealers is what to look for in betting patterns. Jumping your bet from one unit to twelve SCREAMS "I'm a card counter!" Good dealers will verbally alert their "floor" (the dealers immediate supervisor) to large jumps in betting or unusual betting patterns.
"Floors" on the other hand are taught card counting. You don't need to worry about card counting at the lower minimum tables. Most "Floors" could care less if you're counting at at $5 table. But mess around at the higher table minimums and you're looking for an invitation to get "backed off" or made to flat bet only. A word to the wise.
