BlackJack eXtreme - Complete Rules

BJX is played at a poker table. Each player gets to be the dealer in turn. Dealers take bets from all players.

FIRST BETTING ROUND	Each player makes a BLIND BET, capped at 3 times the minimum. The minimum will go up every 20 minutes.
THE DEAL	The dealer gives each player one card down and one card up. Players may look at their down card at any time. Both dealer cards are down. The dealer looks at his cards and TURNS ONE UP.
SECOND BETTING ROUND	Players then adjust their bets: RAISE – increase bet to at least double but may be more. “Double UP” hands must get 1 more card but may take more to improve their final hand. CHECK – Play the Blind Bet only. FOLD – Surrender the hand and keep ½ the Blind Bet.
DEALER SURRENDER	Dealer may FOLD and pay 1/2 Blind Bet to remaining players, or PLAY.
THE PLAY	Players turn up hole cards. Dealer pays “Natural Blackjacks” 150% (3:2). If a player has Doubled Up on a Blackjack it is played as an eleven and must get at least one card. Players take cards as needed to improve hand. The Dealer collects all bets from hands that go “bust”.
SPLITTING PAIRS	Any pair may be split. The player must match the total bet (BLIND BET and any DOUBLE UP) on the second hand, third hand etc. Blackjacks on split hands pay 1:1.
DEALER HAND IS PLAYED	Dealer reveals his hole card and plays out hand. The dealer then may elect to hit any “soft” hand but must stand on a “hard 17” or higher. Losing bets are collected, winners paid and ties push.
DEALER IS SHORT STACKED	If the dealer has sufficient chips to pay any table position (in order) at least the minimum bet, that position is required to play, but can play for any amount. Players may require a chip count and elect to not play the hand if the dealer could not pay at least the minimum to the player. If the dealer cannot cover even one minimum and no players want to play, the deal passes. Short stack payouts are as follows: All losing bets are collected. Blackjacks paid full value Winners paid minimum BLIND BET in clockwise order Winners paid balance of BLIND BET in clockwise order Winners are paid full amount of DOUBLE UP in clockwise order. On split hands the second, third etc. the entire hand is considered a DOUBLE UP and paid on the last round. When the dealer runs out of chips, unpaid winners will pull back their bets.
HEADS UP PLAY	When only one player and a dealer remain, the dealer will not be forced to stay on a losing hand (17-20) but may continue taking cards until they win, tie or go over 21. Obvious mistakes made in dealing the cards will be corrected if possible. If not, then all cards will be revealed, mucked and the hand re-dealt. If the dealer or any player turns over their down card by mistake, the hand is played out normally.
MULTILEVEL TOURNAMENTS	Since players must move up to the next level with equal starting chips, the early level tables must be equally balanced by the tournament director. Once play begins at a table players remain until a table winner is determined. Winners move up to the next level.