Perfect Pairs Blackjack

Perfect pairs is nearly identical to your standard game of blackjack. The only difference is that there is a side bet that pays when you’re dealt a pair. So if you already know how to play blackjack, you don’t need to read any further. Just choose a blackjack casino that offers perfect pairs.

However, if you’re new to blackjack, then read on, and learn how to play two games at once.

The following are the rules to blackjack. Keep in mind that the rules will vary from one casino to the next.

1. Players place their bets. To play the perfect pairs side bet, you will need to place two bets; one bet for your hand (versus the dealer) and a bet of the same size for the side bet.

2. Once the bets have been placed the cards are dealt. The dealer starts with the player furthest to the left and deals each player two cards, one at a time, face up. The dealer’s first card is dealt faced down and the second is face up.

3. If the dealer has an ace or 10-point showing, he’ll check for a blackjack. He’ll also ask if you want insurance, which is a bet half the size of your original bet. It pays 2-1 if the dealer has a blackjack, and loses if he doesn’t. If the dealer has a blackjack then all hands lose, except for those that have blackjacks, too. Those hands will push (tie).

4. If the dealer does not have blackjack, then the hand will continue. Starting with the player furthest to the left, each player will play his hand. These are the options that each play has:

• Hit – Ask for one more card.
• Stand – No additional cards needed.
• Split – Split pairs into two separate hands. Requires an (equal) additional bet.
• Double Down – Receives one additional card for an (equal) additional bet.
• Surrender – Give up half your bet (and keep the other half).
• Insurance – Only available when the dealer has an ace or 10-point card showing. Pays 2-1 on dealer blackjack.

The goal is to make the biggest hand(s) possible, without exceeding 21 points. Each card from 2-10 is worth their face value, aces are worth 1 or 11 points and face cards are worth 10 points each.

If the player exceeds 21 points, they bust, and lose their hand and bet.

If the player is dealt a natural blackjack, nothing further needs to be done. They’ll be paid based on that casinos rules, usually 3:2, 7:5 or 6:5.

5. Next is the dealer’s turn. He will flip over his first card and play his hand. The dealer will hit until he busts or until he cannot hit anymore (17 points). When the dealer stops hitting depends on the casinos’ rules.

6. If the dealer busts, all remaining players will be paid. If the dealer doesn’t bust, his hand will be compared to each remaining player’s hand. If the dealer has the highest hand, the player loses his bet. If the player has the highest hand, the dealer pays the player.

At this point perfect pair bonuses are paid out, too. Players will be paid according to the following chart:

• Pair of mixed color/suits – 5:1
• Pair of same color, mixed suits – 10:1
• Pair of same color, same suit (perfect pair) – 30:1

The perfect pairs bonus is paid on the initial 2 hole cards only.