CHINESE BLACKJACK

Let me tell you about Chinese Blackjack, a game that puts a spin on the classic blackjack we all know. This game has its own set of rules and is often played during the Chinese New Year, a time when good luck is celebrated. It’s a popular game in places where the Chinese community thrives. You can play with up to seven players, and you’ll need a standard 52-card deck. Once the bets are made, they can’t be changed during the round.

SETUP

First, the dealer is chosen randomly. It’s their job to shuffle the cards and deal them out. Before dealing, one of the players gets the opportunity to cut the deck. Then, the dealer starts giving out the cards. The players receive their cards first, starting from the dealer’s left. The cards in the first round are dealt face down. In the second round, the cards are dealt face up. The numbered cards are worth their face value.

GAMEPLAY

When we play a round of this game, I start by accepting bets from everyone at the table. Once the bets are in, each player gets to choose as many cards as they want from the deck. After everyone is happy with their cards, I have to make a decision. I can either take more cards or stop right where I am, depending on what face cards I have. Then it’s time for everyone to show their cards, and whoever has a higher value than mine wins the round.

The rules for hitting

There are some important rules to remember when it’s your turn to hit or stand:

• If your hand total is less than 16, you should hit and take another card.
• If your hand total is between 16 and 21, you can choose to either hit for another card, or stand and keep your current hand.
• If your hand total is exactly 21, you should stand and not take any more cards.

Special card combinations

Hey there! Let’s explore some awesome combinations that can bring you special payouts or multiply your bets. Cool, right?

BAN-BAN:

Ever heard of the double Aces or the Ban-Ban? It’s like an instant victory, as long as the other player (yes, the dealer or a fellow player) doesn’t have a Ban-Ban or a free hand. Imagine that feeling of winning right off the bat!

BAN-LUCK:

Now here’s another cool combo. If you’ve got an Ace and a court card in your hand, you’re in for an immediate win. Just make sure the other player doesn’t have a Ban-Ban or a free hand. And guess what? With Ban-Luck, you can show your hand right away and get paid. It’s like a fast track to victory!

15 POINTS:

Now let’s talk about a special hand called No Man’s Land. This happens when your total points in your hand add up to 15. It’s a bit tricky for the dealer because they get to decide whether they want to keep playing by hitting or if they’d rather give up on that round. If they choose to skip it, the cards get collected, reshuffled, and dealt again. It’s like hitting a pause button!

7-7-7:

And last but not least, the 7-7-7 combo. It’s like hitting the jackpot! When you have three sevens in your hand, it’s a special moment. No specific rules for the dealer here. Just enjoy the thrill of hitting that lucky trio!

If you have a pair of 7s and the dealer also has a 21, you win your bet.

If you have 15 points or more in your hand, you are considered to have a “license” or a “passport.” If your hand has less than 15 points, you have to pay a fine to all players. The amount of the fine is decided at the beginning of the game or round.

You can draw up to 5 cards in total.

If your face cards add up to 15, you can choose to “burn” your cards. This means you can either give up your bet or draw from a new deck, doubling your bet. When the dealer burns, all players have to double their bets.

If you have an Ace and a court card (King, Queen, or Jack) in your hand, and the total is 21, you get paid 1:2.

If you get a 21 with only 5 cards, you also get paid 1:2.

If you have a five-card hand with a total between “license” and 21, you get paid 1:2.

If your five-card hand adds up to exactly 21, you get paid 1:3. The exact payout is at the discretion of the house.

If you have three sevens in your hand, you get paid between 1:5 and 1:21. The exact payout is at the discretion of the house.

Pairs don’t count as wins.

You automatically show bust cards.

The dealer always goes last.

Dealers can choose to reveal player cards and hit later in the game.

END OF GAME

If your hand adds up to 21, you win. You can also win if your hand is between 16 and 21 and beats the dealer’s hand.

If your hand adds up to 21, you win. You can also win if your hand is between 16 and 21 and beats the dealer’s hand.