Blackjohn

This game is a simplified version of Blackjack. At the beginning of the game you have 2000 points. To start you need to place your bet on the table. To do this, click on the tokens on the left-hand side of the screen. On any one game you can bet between one and five hundred points. Once you have placed your bet, click on the Deal button. You will be dealt two cards, and your opponent will also be dealt two cards. He will not show his first card straight away. You have the chance to ask for another card. To do this, click on the Hit Me button.

You can also double your bet. To do this, click on the Double Up button. When you click on the button you will double your bet, but you will only be dealt one extra card for the game. You can only double your bet while you have two cards. If you have more than two cards, you cannot change your bet.

Each card has its own point value. The number cards 2 to 10 (regardless of their suit) are worth as many points as the number on the card. The value of all face cards is 10 points, with aces worth either 11 points or 1 point. For example, if you have two cards – a 9 and an ace – the total points value of your cards can be either 20 (9 + 11) or 10 (9 + 1). If you take another card and it is, say, another 9, your points total will be 19 (9 + 9 + 1). In this case the value of the ace is no longer 11, as this would see you go bust (9 + 9 + 11 = 29).

The aim of the game is to get a total for your cards of 21. If your total comes to more than 21, you are said to go ‘bust' and you lose that hand. If you get a 10 and an ace or a face card and an ace in the first two cards you are dealt, this is called ‘blackjack' – but we call it ‘blackjohn.' :) You can keep taking as many cards as you want, until you go bust, or not take any more at all. If you want to pass the game over to your opponent, click on the Pass button. Your opponent will then start taking extra cards. He must continue to take cards while his points come to 16 or less. If he has 17 or more, he cannot take any more cards.

The winner is whoever has more points or whosever opponent goes bust. If you score a ‘blackjohn,' you will get whatever you bet back at odds of 3:2. All other wins you get back at odds of 1:1. And if you lose, you also lose your bet. That's how easy the game is! :P