Blackjack is the most well-known game in the casino and is played around the world. It remains one of the most popular table games in any casino. Everyone at the table plays against the dealer. When dealt 2 cards of the same value, players may split the pair to become separate hands and receive additional cards on each hand. ​The objective of the game is to draw cards with a total closer to 21 than the dealer’s total – without going over 21.

The following rules apply at The Star Sydney:

• Players may double their bet when they have any two cards with a total of 9, 10, or 11. When players choose to double, only one additional card is dealt to the hand.
• Players may split a pair on their first 2 cards dealt, and play out the 2 hands resulting from the initial split. Players may only split once.
• When splitting aces, players receive only one card on each ace.
• Players may double after a split (except when splitting aces)

You are dealt two cards, while the dealer takes one card.

The cards are dealt face-up so you can see your point value. Blackjack is played with 3, 4, 6 or 8 decks of cards.

Picture cards (Jack, Queen and King) count as 10, Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever is to your advantage e.g. Ace, 8, 10 = 19.

Any other cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) count as face value. If your first two cards are an Ace and any ten-value card, you have Blackjack. The dealer will announce “Blackjack” and pay you at odds of 3 to 2. In the event that the dealer also makes Blackjack, the hand will be a stand-off (a tie or draw) and you will neither win nor lose. However, if the dealer makes any other total including 21 with three or more cards, your Blackjack will win.

If you do not have Blackjack on your first two cards, you may decide to stand (draw no more cards) or hit (draw more cards) until you ​decide to stand, or until your point total goes over 21 in which case you lose. You must hit if the point total of your cards is 11 or less. Irrespective of your point totals, the dealer must hit with 16 or less and stand with 17 or more. If the dealer goes over 21, all hands remaining on the table must be paid.

If you finish with a total closer to 21 than the dealer’s total, you win and will be paid even money. If you and the dealer have the same totals, you have a stand-off. In the event that the dealer has Blackjack, you lose unless you also have Blackjack, in which case you have a stand-off.

In the game of Blackjack you can place a bet on a box (playing area) or behind another player’s bet. Up to three players may bet on one box, provided that the total of all bets remains within the maximum limits displayed on the table sign.

IMPORTANT

          - You may not handle, remove or alter any cards used in the game of Blackjack.

          - Although the dealer will call out the card totals, it is your responsibility to also check your point totals are correct.

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may ask the dealer to split your hand, to form two separate hands, by betting an amount equal to the original bet.Each hand will be played and completed in turn. At least one card will be dealt to each hand. If the first two cards dealt to a split hand total 9, 10 or 11 you may double providing the hand does not contain an Ace.If you split Aces, only one card is dealt to each Ace. If a ten-point card is dealt to either Ace, the hand is treated as a 21, not Blackjack.​

Doubling

You may double your original bet on any hand with a total of 9 10 or 11 made up of two cards (excluding Blackjack). If you elect to double, you place an additional bet up to equal to your original bet. You will then receive one additional card on that hand.

An Ace in the initial point total of any double always has a point value of 1 not 11. 

Splitting Pairs

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may ask the dealer to split your hand, to form two separate hands, by betting an amount equal to the original bet.

Each hand will be played and completed in turn. At least one card will be dealt to each hand. If the first two cards dealt to a split hand total 9, 10 or 11 you may double. If you split Aces, only one card is dealt to each Ace. If a ten-point card is dealt to either Ace, the hand is treated as a 21, not Blackjack. 

Insurance

Whenever the first card dealt to the dealer is an Ace, the dealer will announce “Insurance” and you may make an insurance bet in case the dealer makes Blackjack. An insurance bet may be made by placing an amount not more than half of your original bet, on the Insurance line of the table layout. All insurance bets must be placed prior to any players receiving a third card. An insurance bet will only win if the dealer makes Blackjack and is paid at odds of 2 to 1.​

In the event that the dealer receives Blackjack and you have placed additional bets on split hands and/or a double, the dealer will only take an amount equal to your original bet from the remaining bets in each box.

The Dealer receives Blackjack

In the event that you have Blackjack and the dealer does not have an Ace or ten-point card as the first face-up card, the dealer will pay your Blackjack bet at odds of 3 to 2 and remove your cards prior to any players receiving a third card. If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace or ten-point card, the game will be dealt in the usual fashion, with all bets paid or taken after the dealer’s hand has been completed.

How to play Any Pairs

Any Pairs is an optional side bet offered on certain Blackjack tables. The concept of the bet is simple. Any Pairs bet wins if the first two cards dealt to a playing area are a pair and loses if they are not a pair.

An Any Pairs bet is made prior to the initial deal. There are three different types of pairs.

To play Any Pairs simply place a bet in the Any Pairs area in front of the Blackjack box – you are not required to make an initial wager on the Blackjack hand, but there must be at least one regular Blackjack bet placed on the Blackjack box before an Any Pairs wager can be made and the cards drawn to that hand. A maximum of three Any Pairs wagers will be permitted per Blackjack box and preference will be given to players who have also placed a wager on the Blackjack hand for that box. Please note that the casino may limit the placement of Any Pairs wagers to those players who also have a Blackjack wager and will display a sign at the table when this applies.

All bets must be placed before any cards are dealt and you can only place one Any Pairs bet for each betting area in the round of play. If the first two cards dealt to the Blackjack hand are a pair, you win! For the purposes of playing Any Pairs a pair is a hand where the first two cards dealt, in the initial deal only, are of the same value.

DOWNLOAD THE GAME GUIDE HERE.

You are dealt two cards, while the dealer takes one card.
The cards are dealt face-up so you can see your point value. Blackjack is played with 3, 4, 6 or 8 decks of cards.
Picture cards (Jack, Queen and King) count as 10, Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever is to your advantage e.g. Ace, 8, 10 = 19.
Any other cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) count as face value. If your first two cards are an Ace and any ten-value card, you have Blackjack. The dealer will announce “Blackjack” and pay you at odds of 3 to 2. In the event that the dealer also makes Blackjack, the hand will be a stand-off (a tie or draw) and you will neither win nor lose. However, if the dealer makes any other total including 21 with three or more cards, your Blackjack will win.
If you do not have Blackjack on your first two cards, you may decide to stand (draw no more cards) or hit (draw more cards) until you decide to stand, or until your point total goes over 21 in which case you lose. You must hit if the point total of your cards is 11 or less. Irrespective of your point totals, the dealer must stand on a hard total of 17 eg: 8 and 9 = 17 or a soft total of 18 eg: Ace and 7 = 18. If the dealer goes over 21 then all hands remaining on the table must be paid.
If you finish with a total closer to 21 than the dealer’s total, you win and will be paid even money. If you and the dealer have the same totals, you have a stand-off. In the event that the dealer has Blackjack, you lose unless you also have Blackjack, in which case you have a stand-off.
In the game of Blackjack you can place a bet on a box (playing area) or behind another player’s bet. Up to three players may bet on one box, provided that the total of all bets remains within the maximum limits displayed on the table sign.

IMPORTANT

          -  You may not handle, remove or alter any cards used in the game of Blackjack.

          - Although the dealer will call out the card totals, it is your responsibility to also check your point totals are correct.

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may ask the dealer to split your hand, to form two separate hands, by betting an amount equal to the original bet.Each hand will be played and completed in turn. At least one card will be dealt to each hand. If the first two cards dealt to a split hand total 9, 10 or 11 you may double providing the hand does not contain an Ace.If you split Aces, only one card is dealt to each Ace. If a ten-point card is dealt to either Ace, the hand is treated as a 21, not Blackjack.

Doubling

You may double your original bet on any hand with a total of 9 10 or 11 made up of two cards (excluding Blackjack). If you elect to double, you place an additional bet up to equal to your original bet. You will then receive one additional card on that hand.
An Ace in the initial point total of any double always has a point value of 1 not 11. 

Splitting Pairs

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may ask the dealer to split your hand, to form two separate hands, by betting an amount equal to the original bet.
Each hand will be played and completed in turn. At least one card will be dealt to each hand. If the first two cards dealt to a split hand total 9, 10 or 11 you may double. If you split Aces, only one card is dealt to each Ace. If a ten-point card is dealt to either Ace, the hand is treated as a 21, not Blackjack. 

Insurance

Whenever the first card dealt to the dealer is an Ace, the dealer will announce “Insurance” and you may make an insurance bet in case the dealer makes Blackjack. An insurance bet may be made by placing an amount not more than half of your original bet, on the Insurance line of the table layout. All insurance bets must be placed prior to any players receiving a third card. An insurance bet will only win if the dealer makes Blackjack and is paid at odds of 2 to 1.
In the event that the dealer receives Blackjack and you have placed additional bets on split hands and/or a double, the dealer will only take an amount equal to your original bet from the remaining bets in each box.

The Dealer receives Blackjack

In the event that you have Blackjack and the dealer does not have an Ace or ten-point card as the first face-up card, the dealer will pay your Blackjack bet at odds of 3 to 2 and remove your cards prior to any players receiving a third card. If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace or ten-point card, the game will be dealt in the usual fashion, with all bets paid or taken after the dealer’s hand has been completed.

How to play Any Pairs

Any Pairs is an optional side bet offered on certain Blackjack tables. The concept of the bet is simple. Any Pairs bet wins if the first two cards dealt to a playing area are a pair and loses if they are not a pair.
An Any Pairs bet is made prior to the initial deal. There are three different types of pairs.
To play Any Pairs simply place a bet in the Any Pairs area in front of the Blackjack box – you are not required to make an initial wager on the Blackjack hand, but there must be at least one regular Blackjack bet placed on the Blackjack box before an Any Pairs wager can be made and the cards drawn to that hand. A maximum of three Any Pairs wagers will be permitted per Blackjack box and preference will be given to players who have also placed a wager on the Blackjack hand for that box. Please note that the casino may limit the placement of Any Pairs wagers to those players who also have a Blackjack wager and will display a sign at the table when this applies.
All bets must be placed before any cards are dealt and you can only place one Any Pairs bet for each betting area in the round of play. If the first two cards dealt to the Blackjack hand are a pair, you win! For the purposes of playing Any Pairs a pair is a hand where the first two cards dealt, in the initial deal only, are of the same value.

DOWNLOAD THE STAR BLACKJACK GAME GUIDE HERE.

Picture cards (Jack, Queen and King) count as 10, Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever is to your advantage e.g. Ace,8, 10= 19. Any other cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) count as face value.

Blackjack - If the first two cards of your original hand or split hand are an Ace and any ten-point card, you have Blackjack.

The odds you will be paid will depend on if the dealer also has a blackjack and the rank of your 10 value card when compared with the dealer 10 value card.

The rank of cards for the purpose of determining blackjack payouts from highest to lowest is king, queen, jack and 10. A player blackjack will be paid at the odds listed below:

Dealers 10 Value card

Ranked lower than players 10 value card, odd is 5 to 1
Same rank as players 10 value card, odd is 4 to 1
Ranked higher players 10 value card, odd is 3 to 1
Dealer doesn’t have a blackjack, odd is 2 to1

If you do not have Blackjack on your first two cards, you may decide to stand (draw no more cards) or hit (draw more cards) until you decide to stand, or until your point total goes over 21 in which case you lose. You must hit if the point total of your cards is 11 or less.

Player 21 - In the event your point total equals 21 (not Blackjack), you automatically win and the dealer will pay you even money.

Five card Trick - In the event you draw 5 cards to a hand without exceeding 21, you automatically win and the dealer will pay you even money.

IMPORTANT

You may not handle, remove or alter any cards used in the game of Blackjack Challenge. Although the dealer will call out the card totals, it is your responsibility toalso check your point totals are correct.

Doubling

You may elect to double on the first two cards or first three cards dealt to your original or split hands by placing a wager of not more than your original wager. You will then be dealt one additional card face upwards and placed sideways to that hand.

In the event your point total equals 21 (Player 21) after doubling, you automatically win and the dealer will pay you even money. If the dealer obtains Blackjack after you have doubled and not achieved Player 21, the dealer will only collect an amount equal to your original bet from the remaining bets.

Splitting

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may ask the dealer to split your hand, to form two separate hands, by betting an amount equal to the original bet. Each hand will be played and completed in turn. At least one card will be dealt to each hand. You are only allowed to split twice per box forming three hands per playing area.

You may also double in a split hand providing the hand contains two or three cards. Blackjack, Player 21 and Five Card Trick can be achieved on split hands. If the dealer obtains Blackjack after you have split and you have not achieved Blackjack, Player 21 or Five Card Trick, the dealer will only collect an amount equal to your original bet from the remaining bets.​

Dealers Hand

Irrespective of your point totals, the dealer must hit with 16 or less and stand with 17 or more. If the dealer goes over 21, all hands remaining on the table must be paid even money. If you finish with a total closer to 21 than the dealer’s total, you win and will be paid even money. If you have a point total equal to or less than the point total of the dealer’s hand and the dealer’s hand does not exceed 21, you lose.

In the game of Blackjack Challenge, you can place a bet on a box (playing area) or behind another player’s bet. Up to three players may bet on one box, provided that the total of all bets remains within the maximum limits displayed on the table sign. 

DOWNLOAD THE GAME GUIDE HERE.

Picture cards (Jack, Queen and King) count as 10. Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever is to your advantage eg. Ace, 8 and 9 = 18. All other cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) count as face value. Remember all 10s have been removed from Pontoon decks. If your first two cards are an Ace and any picture card, you have Pontoon. The dealer will announce, “Pontoon” and pay you at odds of 3 to 2. The dealer cannot beat this hand, even if the dealer achieves Pontoon.

If you do not have Pontoon on your first two cards, you may decide to stand (draw no more cards) or hit (draw more cards). You can continue to hit until you decide to stand or until your total goes over 21, in which case you lose. You may choose to stand on any total of less than 21. Where you achieve Pontoon or a total of 21 you will win, regardless of the dealer’s result, and will be paid the appropriate odds . Irrespective of your point totals, the dealer must stand on a hard total of 17 eg: 8 and 9 = 17 or a soft total of 18 eg: Ace and 7 = 18. If the dealer goes over 21 then all hands remaining on the table must be paid.

If you finish with a total closer to 21 than the dealer’s you win and will be paid even money. If you and the dealer have the same totals you have a stand-off, you neither win nor lose.

IMPORTANT

          - You may not handle, remove or alter any cards used in the game variation of Pontoon.

          - Although the dealer will call out the card totals, it is your responsibility to also check the totals are correct.

Surrender

You may surrender half your original bet on your first two cards if the dealer’s first card is a Jack, Queen, King or Ace. You indicate this decision to the dealer by knocking gently next to the bet with a closed fist. The dealer will place a marker button on top of your original bet and no further cards will be dealt to that hand. 

Doubling

You may double your original bet on any hand with a total of less than 21 made up of two or more cards (excluding Pontoon). This also includes any split pair except Aces. If you elect to double, you place an additional bet up to equal to your original bet. You will then receive one additional card on that hand.

An Ace in the initial point total of any double always has a point value of 1 not 11. You may, after receiving the additional card, elect to forfeit. You may forfeit your original bet to the house but retain the amount that you placed for the double and take no further part in that round of play. To indicate to the dealer you wish to forfeit, simply move your finger in a scratching motion towards you. If you do not wish to forfeit, move your hand in a horizontal cut-off motion. All winning doubled wagers will be paid at odds of 1 to 1 and are not eligible for the payout odds and Super Bonus odds as set out in Tables 1 and 2.

Splitting Pairs

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may ask the dealer to split your hand to form two separate hands, by betting an amount equal to the original bet.

Each hand will be played and completed in turn. At least one card will be dealt to each hand and you may double on the hands formed.

If you split Aces, only one card is dealt to each Ace. If you split pairs and a 10-point card is dealt to an Ace or vice versa, the hand is treated as 21 and is not eligible to be treated as Pontoon.

Insurance

Whenever the first card dealt to the dealer is an Ace, the dealer will announce, “Insurance” or “Surrender”, and you may make an insurance bet in case the dealer makes Pontoon.

An insurance bet may be made by placing an amount not more than half of your original bet on the ‘Insurance’ line of the table layout. All insurance bets must be placed prior to any players receiving a third card. An insurance bet will win only if the dealer makes Pontoon and is paid at odds of 2 to 1.

Pontoon

In the event that you have Pontoon, the dealer will pay your Pontoon at odds of 3 to 2 and remove your cards, prior to any players receiving a third card.

In the event that the dealer achieves Pontoon and you have placed additional bets through the split and/or double option (where you have not elected to forfeit), the dealer will only take an amount equal to your original bet from the remaining bets on each box.In the event that the dealer achieves Pontoon, the surrender option is void and the dealer will take the whole bet.

Super Bonus

A player having three 7s of the same suit where the dealer’s first card is any 7 will win the Super Bonus as set out in Table 2. The Super Bonus does not apply where hands have been split or doubled.

All other players who wagered on the round of play in which there is a Super Bonus winner will receive a bonus payment of $50. This bonus is awarded per player, regardless of the number of bets each player placed on that round of play.

DOWNLOAD THE PONTOON GAME GUIDE HERE.