How many chips do I start each game with?
For all Matchplay games you start the first hand with $1000 in virtual chips. This will go up or down depending on your cards and decisions.

How many decks of cards are used?
4 decks of cards are used.

How and when are the cards shuffled?
We use state-of-the-art random number generation to ensure the cards dealt to players are perfectly shuffled, every time.

A 'cut-card' marker is randomly placed towards the back of the cards at the start of the game. As they are used up, the cut-card will eventually come to the front. When this happens, the current round is completed as normal and the cards are then replaced with 4 completely new and shuffled decks. Players will be notified with a message and a shuffling sound when this occurs.

What is the First Base chip for?
In Blackjack, the player who places their bet and plays their hand first (known as being on ‘First Base’) is at a slight disadvantage. Therefore, players take it in turns to be on First Base. Each round the chip will move to the next player to indicate this. Before the game starts each player will be dealt a card. The one with the lowest card starts on First Base.

What happens if the scores are tied?
If the scores are tied after all the rounds are completed, the game will continue until one player finishes a round with more money than the other.

If both players simultaneously lose all their money, they will each be given an amount equal to the minimum bet to play with. The game will then continue as above.

Why did I lose the game when I still have money?
You must have enough money to meet the minimum bet. For example, if you have $50 left and the minimum bet is $100 then you lose the game. Players are strongly advised to take this into account when betting in round!

What is the Ace worth to the Dealer?
Aces are always worth 11 to the Dealer, unless this makes the hand Bust, in which case they will count as 1. The Dealer will ‘Stand’ as soon as any of the 2 possible hand totals is greater than or equal to 17.

Why is Double Down/Split unavailable?
You must have sufficient money to be able to afford to take these options! Double Down and Split cost the original bet over again. You can only choose to Double Down at the start of the hand (when there are 2 cards). You can only choose to Split when these 2 cards are of the same face-value (for example, a Jack and a 10 are both of the same face-value).

I Split a hand and was dealt Blackjack. Why have I not won the bet accordingly?
Blackjack is only valid on the initial deal. If you split a hand and then get 21 this does not count as Blackjack.

When is Insurance and Even Money offered?
Insurance is offered when the Dealer's face-up card is an Ace (and hence they may have Blackjack). You must also be able to afford it: it costs half of the original bet amount. If you have made Blackjack already you will be offered Even Money instead. For an explanation of Insurance and Even Money, please consult the Blackjack glossary.

Can I Hit more than once on Split aces?
Yes!

Can I Double Down on Split hands?
Yes!

Can I "Surrender" the hand?
No!

What is the ‘Shoe’ of cards?
The Shoe is the box on the table next to the Dealer’s chips – where the cards come from.