Blackjack is a casino card game in which the goal is to reach 21 points — or get closer to 21 than the dealer — without going over. It is played in the traditional gaming rooms of the 5 Solverde Group casinos (Espinho, Chaves, Vilamoura, Praia da Rocha and Monte Gordo) and is restricted to players aged 18 and over.

How do you play Blackjack?

In blackjack, cards from 2 to 10 count at face value, picture cards (Jack, Queen and King) count as 10, and the Ace counts as 1 or 11, whichever benefits the hand. Suits have no effect on the game.

1. Place your bet in the marked betting box, within the posted table limits, before the cards are dealt.

2. Receive your cards: each player gets two cards face up and the dealer gets one card face up. Cards are dealt from a shoe containing decks.

3. Check for a natural blackjack: an Ace plus a 10-value card as your first two cards is the strongest hand in the game.

4. Insurance: if the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, you may place an insurance bet of up to half your original bet, covering the possibility that the dealer has blackjack.

5. Choose your move: hit (take one more card), stand (keep your hand), double down (double your bet and receive exactly one more card — allowed on or split (separate a pair of equal-value cards into two independent hands, each with a bet equal to your original).

6. Avoid busting: you may keep hitting while your hand totals less than 21. If you go over 21, you lose your bet immediately, even if the dealer later busts as well.

7. The dealer plays last: the dealer draws on 16 or less and stands on 17 or more. On a "soft" 17 (a 17 with an Ace counted as 11).

8. Hands are compared: If the dealer busts, all remaining hands win. Otherwise, the hand closer to 21 wins. In the event of a tie (push), your bet is returned.