Premium Blackjack

The main objective of playing Premium Blackjack is to beat the dealer’s score without exceeding 21.  All cards are scored at face value (Jack, Queen, King = 10), with an Ace counting as 11 or 1. This online blackjack game uses standard Vegas Strip rules. Eight decks are used and shuffled after each round.

In addition to the main game, you will be given the option to place side bets on Pairs and 21+3.

A hand consisting of Blackjack (Ace + 10, Jack, Queen or King) will pay 3 to 2 on your bet.

Getting Started:

You must select your table limits when the game loads for the first time.  A screen will provide options for minimum and maximum betting amounts. Press Join after selecting the table limits.

A panel offering a selection of chips is located on the bottom left of the main screen.

• Click on a chip with your cursor to select it. Click again on one of the circles on the betting table to place a chip as a bet on the main game.
• Click again on the betting circle to place another chip of the same value on the bet. You can go back and select different chip values if you wish.
• Place a Side Bet by placing a chip in the areas marked Player Pair, Dealer Pair or 21+3 if desired.
• Press Undo to remove the last placed chip from the betting table. Press Clear Bets to remove all chips from the table and start over.
• Select Double (X2) if you like to automatically double all bets put on the table.
• Click Deal when you have made your bet selections. This will confirm all bets and start the game.

Please Note:

• You must place a bet on the main game to place a Side Bet.
• You can play as many bets as you like as long as you adhere to the betting limitations chosen at the start of the game.
• Placing a chip in two or more betting circles will start a Multi-Hand game. This will mean that each hand is played out independently. More information will be given on Multi-Hand Blackjack in a section below.

How to Play:

Two cards will be dealt to you and the dealer when you have selected Deal. Your cards will be displayed face up (showing), whereas the dealer’s cards will be displayed on face down and one face up. All Side Bets (except Dealer Pair) will be judged before the main game has been completed.

• Select Hit, Stand or Double as required:
  • Hit = receive another card.
  • Stand = finish the round with the current cards.
  • Double = double the bet and receive one further card.

Once you have made your play, the dealer will play out their hand. The dealer must draw to 16 and stand on 17 or above. The main game is judged in the following ways:

• Beat the dealer’s score without exceeding 21 and you will be paid 1 to 1 (evens) on your bet. If the dealer goes bust, you will win with any hand of 21 or under.
• Go bust (exceed 21) and you will forfeit your bet, regardless of the dealer’s score.
• Reveal the same score as the dealer and a tie will be declared. Your bets on the main game will be returned.

When the game has concluded, the following options will be offered:

• Rebet = place the same bets as the previous round. You can add extra bets and/or remove bets before the next round begins.
• Rebet & Deal = place the same bets as the previous round, confirm and deal the cards.
• Double & Deal = double all bets from the previous round, confirm and deal the cards.

Insurance and Splitting:

Further options may be offered in the main game depending on what cards are dealt in the initial deal:

Insurance:

You will be offered the chance to place an Insurance Bet if the dealer’s first (showing) card is an Ace. Insurance is a bet on the prospect of the dealer having Blackjack.

If you place the bet and the dealer reveals Blackjack, you will be paid 2 to 1 on that bet regardless of how main game plays out. The Insurance Bet is lost if the dealer reveals any other hand but Blackjack.

The Insurance Bet is a fixed sum, equal to half your initial stake.

Splitting:

You will be offered the chance to Split if your first two cards are the same value, e.g. two Jacks or two 7s etc.

Opting to Split will create two new hands using one of the initial two cards to make each new hand. The split hands will be played out separately from each other.

The cost of splitting will be a bet equal to your initial bet.

Note: if one of your split hands is an Ace and 10 (Jack, Queen or King), it will be counted as 21 and not Blackjack. You will be paid evens for a winning hand.

Multi-Hand Mode:

Placing a chip in more than one betting circle will initiate Multi-Hand Mode. This allows you to play up to five blackjack hands simultaneously. Each game is independent from the other, although the dealer will play with the same hand.

Playing Multi-Hand blackjack will offer you the same betting options – Side Bets, Insurance etc. – as an individual game. You can place different bets and play different Side Bets if you wish.

The cards will be dealt from right to left, with the game played out in the same manner. All player hands will be played out before the dealer reveals their card.

Note: When offered Insurance for Multi-Hand games, a function will appear on screen giving you the choice of accepting Insurance for all hands.

Premium Blackjack Rules:

Below is an overview of the rules for Premium Blackjack at William Hill Casino:

• The dealer must draw to 16 and stand on 17 or above, including Soft 17.
• The player can stand on whatever score they choose. A message will appear on screen asking if you are sure when you Hit on a high score or Stand on a low score.
• You cannot split a split hand.
• If two Aces are split, only one further card is drawn to each hand.
• If you use Double option when the dealer is showing an Ace, you will lose both bets if the dealer has Blackjack. If you use the Double option when the dealer is showing a 10 (Jack, Queen etc.), your second bet will be returned if the dealer has Blackjack.
• Blackjack will beat any other hand that makes up 21.

Payouts:

• Blackjack will pay 3 to 2.
• Any other winner score will pay 1 to 1.
• Insurance pays 2 to 1.

Ten Card Charlie:

It is possible to draw 10 cards to a single hand without exceeding 21. This termed 10 Card Charlie. It will beat any other hand except Blackjack. You will receive a 1 to 1 payout on your bet.

Side Bets:

Side Bets can be placed on Player Pair, Dealer Pair or 21 +3. All Side Bets are played and judged separately from the main game. However, you cannot place a Side Bet without placing a bet on the main game.

To make a Side Bet, place a chip in the areas marked Player Pair, Dealer Pair or 21+3.

Note: you can play all three Side Bets simultaneously if you wish.

Player Pair/Dealer Pair:

The Player Pair/Dealer Pair Side Bet is a wager made on either you are the dealer having a pair in the first two cards of the hand. If you choose Player Pair, the bet is settled directly after the first two cards have been dealt. If you choose Dealer Pair, the bet is settled when the dealer reveals their second card.

The payouts awarded depend on what type of Pair is achieved:

21 + 3:

The objective of the 21+3 Side Bet is to make a three-card poker hand using your first two cards and the first (showing) card dealt to the dealer.  Just like the Pair Side Bet, the game is judged after the initial deal in the main game.

You will win the 21+3 Side Bet if you make one of the following three-card poker hands:

Return to Player:

The theoretical RTP (Return to Player) for the main game is 99.58%. The RTP for Perfect Pair/Dealer Pair Side Bets is 93.89% and the RTP for 21+3 Side Bets is 95.38%.

Buttons:

Descriptions of the functions of the on-screen buttons are found below:

Deal – confirms bets and starts the game/deals the cards.

Clear Bets – removes all bets from the table. Only available before pressing Deal.

Undo – removes the last chip from the table. Only available before pressing Deal.

Double (1) – doubles all bets on the table. Only available before pressing Deal.

Hit – deals another card to your hand.

Stand – plays out the round with the current cards.

Split – splits a hand into two separate hands. Only available when the initial two cards have the same value.

Double (2) – doubles the bet on a hand and deals one final card to that hand.

Rebet – places the same bets as the previous round, including Side Bets.

Rebet & Deal – places the same bets as the previous round, confirms the bets and starts a new round.

Double & Deal – doubles the same bets as the previous round, confirms and starts a new round.

Accept – places the Insurance Bet.

Decline – declines the Insurance Bet.

Apply to All – applies or declines the Insurance Bet to all hands (Multi-Hand only).

Casino Toolbar:

You will find general tools and displays on the Casino Toolbar, located on the upper and lower edges of the screen. Descriptions of these items are provided below:

Game Balance – shows the current balance in your casino account.

Cashier – select to access a range of baking tools, including options to make deposits and withdrawals.

Play for Real Money – press to play Premium Blackjack online for real money at William Hill Casino. This option is only applicable if you are not already using your real money account to play.

Menu – click the tools icon to access these further options:

• Help = open this rules guide in a new window.
• Online Support = access customer service and support options.
• Options = adjust various general settings, such as audio, graphics and speed options.
• History = view history of previous game rounds.

Close – select to end the current game session, close the tab and return to the main menu/lobby page.

Quick Deposit – add funds to your William Hill Casino account without launching the Cashier. Choose from your preferred deposit methods to make a deposit without interrupting the game. A list of these options may appear in a new window if your balance runs low.

Gadget Bar – choose a gadget (at least one must be enabled), including mini casino games, from the menu on the right of the screen. The Gadget Bar may also provide information on the latest online bonus offers and promotions from William Hill Casino.

Note on Disconnections:

If you lose internet connection during a game round, you will be redirected back to complete the round when you re-establish a connection and log into the casino again. The software will record the point where the connection was broken, allowing you to complete the round from that point. You can use the History Tool to view previous round results if required.

Note on Malfunctions:

A game malfunction will void all bets.