In order to start playing Blackjack you must login to Absolute Poker and enter the lobby. Once you are in the lobby, click on the silver tab titled "Blackjack". From this point you will be directed to a Blackjack table.

Blackjack icons are also located in each ring game and tournament poker room.

A Blackjack is when the first two cards dealt are an Ace in combination with a card valued at 10 (Ten, Jack, Queen or King). A Blackjack pays 3 to 2.

Yes, you will be using the same balance of your Poker account. In order to start playing Blackjack you must log into Absolute Poker and enter the lobby. Once you are at the lobby, click on the silver tab titled (Blackjack). From this point, you can select a Fun or Real money game and you will be directed to a Blackjack table.

Absolute Poker uses 6 decks of cards for each Blackjack session.

The decks are shuffled each time a hand is played. This is because of our "Royal Match" action. In order to be fair for those who choose to participate in the Royal Match action the shoe (the 6 decks of cards) must be shuffled every hand.

For only a $1 side bet you can win up to $20 on every Blackjack hand. All you have to do is click on the Royal Match tab located on the left side of your Blackjack bet. If your first two cards are:

Suited King & Queen 20 to 1
Suited Blackjack 3 to 1
First 2 cards suited 1.5 to 1

With Absolute Poker Blackjack it's only you against the dealer and you do not share the table with any other players.

Each card counts as the numerical value of the card except Jacks, Queens and Kings which count as 10, and an Ace which counts as either 1 or 11, whichever you choose. When a Blackjack is dealt, the Ace counts as 11. In other kinds of hands, you use the Ace according to your need.

If you would like to place a bet, simply click on the desired denomination of the chip on the table and then on the betting circle on the felt; you will immediately see the chips moved to the table. You are able to bet any amount as long as you have sufficient funds in your account.

If you feel like changing your bet, all you have to do is click on the "Clear Bet" button that you will find on the table or you also have the option of right clicking your mouse on each chip bet on the table in order to clear your bet.

You will find this box on the bottom left of the blackjack table. Click on this box if you choose to re-bet the same amount during your playing session. You can also do this manually by clicking on the "re-bet" button on the table.

If you would like to buy more chips, click on "Options" followed by the "Buy More Chips" button. Click "OK" to exit the window and update your changes.

If you should be disconnected, you will be taken back to the same place that you were once your connection was lost -- no action will be taken.

This action allows you to keep the original two cards dealt without being hit (being dealt another card).

To be hit is to request another card be given to you after the original two cards have been dealt. This action will increase the value of your hand. You may hit more than one time you choose to.

If your first two cards are of equal value, you may split them into two hands. A wager will be placed equal to the original bet. One card of the initial hand goes into each hand, and then a card is dealt to the first hand. After you have completed your first hand (elected to stand or have gone "bust" - your cards equaling more than 21), a second card is dealt to the other split hand and playing continues. A maximum of 5 splits are allowed.

If a pair of Aces is split and another Ace is dealt, this hand cannot be split again. Once you have been dealt a second card onto the split Ace no doubling can take place and no third card can be drawn. If you are dealt 2 Aces and you split these and get a Blackjack, this is considered a multi-card combination with a point total of 21 and the payout is 1 to 1. After splitting a pair, with the exception of Aces, you may double. Split bets pay even money (1 to 1).

This is an additional wager that gives you an opportunity to take advantage of a strong hand. You will receive one card only. You may click on double to bet the amount of your original wager on your first two cards on any total except a Blackjack. Double bets pay even money (1 to 1).

Should your initial hand be weak, you have the option to "surrender" except if the dealer's first card is an Ace. Should you choose to surrender, you lose half your original wager.

If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace you will be given the option to take out insurance, which is an additional bet equal to half of your original bet. If the dealer has a 10 value card underneath his Ace, and has Blackjack, then you will be paid 2:1 on the insurance bet. You will still lose your original bet, so the net effect is that you will break even on this hand. If the dealer does not have Blackjack you will lose the insurance bet, and you will continue to play out your hand as normal.

Blackjack Hotkeys: you can enable "hot keys" for quick play, to make a move or place a bet. Below are the hotkeys to be used for Blackjack:

If you would like to enable your "hot keys", click on "Options" followed by selecting the "hot key" box. Click "OK" to exit the window and update your changes.

Yes. If you choose to switch on/off the sound effects simply go to "Options" and un-click "Sound Effects". Click "OK" to exit the window and update your changes.

Of course! If you choose to change your deck of cards simply go to the "Options" section and click on "New Shoe" and "OK" to exit the window and update your changes.