This section provides descriptions of each rule variation available to the player. These settings are available through the Settings menu and can be changed when the Blackjack Rules Preset setting is set to Custom. The rules are:

Number of Decks - Defines how many decks make up the cards that the game is dealt from. The number of decks makes a big difference to the house edge, and put simply, the fewer decks, the better for the player. The number of decks can be set for 1 to 16.

Double Down Rule - This rule restricts which card totals the player can double down on. A double rule of anything other than Any Total will favour the house. The options availble are:

 * Any Total - Player can double down on any 2 cards.

 * 10 & 11 only - Player can only double on hands totalling 10 or 11 (not containing an Ace).

 * 9, 10 & 11 only - Player can only double on hands totalling 9, 10 or 11 (not containing an Ace). This rule is more common in European casinos.

Double on Split Hands - This rule allows the player to double down after they have split two cards. Many casinos offer this facility and it gives the player an advantage of about 0.12%. Note. if Hit on Split Aces is not allowed then doubling will not be allowed on split aces either.

Dealer Hits on Soft 17 - This rule determines if the dealer must hit when they have a soft hand totalling 17, or stand on it. This is one of the major rules in Blackjack and when the dealer must hit soft 17 is it less favourable for the player, with a house edge of about 0.2%.

Dealer Peeks Hole Card - When the dealer's up card is an ace or a ten value card then they will 'peek' at their hole card to check if they have blackjack. In European and UK casinos they may not do this check. Unchecking this setting allows the hole card checking to be skipped. It is more favourable to the player when the hole card is checked as this means that additional bets will not be lost when play is allowed to continue.

Split Aces - This rule determines if the player may split two aces. Most casinos will offer this facility and it is favourable for the player.

Hit on Split Aces - This common rule dictates whether player may hit on the resulting hands once they have split two aces. Allowing the player to hit on split aces reduces the house edge by about 0.13% so is highly favourable to the player.

Re-Split Aces - This rule determines if the player can split a second pair of aces. I.e. if the player splits a pair of aces, then receives an another ace on one of the split hands they can then split that hand too.

Maximum Split Hands - Determines how many hands can be split/re-split. Typically a casino will allow a player to have 3 hands in play.

Surrender Rule - This is a favourable rule offered by some casinos which allows the player to 'surrender' their hand and receive half their bet back. Surrender is only available after the initial two cards are dealt. After hitting, doubling or splitting the surrender option is withdrawn. The types of surrender rule available:

 * No surrender - Player is not offered surrender option.

 * Early Surrender - With early surrender the player may surrender their hand before the dealer checks for Blackjack. This is a highly favourable rule for the player, though seldom seen in real casinos.

 * Late Surrender - The typical surrender rule offered in casinos where the player can surrender after the dealer checks for Blackjack.

Deck Shuffling - This setting is provided to aid players who want to try their luck at card counting. The options are:

 * at end of shoe - This option helps the player keep a count of the deck by only shuffling the deck when all cards have been dealt.

 * after every hand - The typical shuffling option when the deck is shuffled after every hand.

See the Settings help section for more information on the other game settings and rules presets.
