Stravaganza

Fans of Blackjack are sure to be swept away by the fun of Stravaganza, which does not limit you to keeping your hand under 21. Stravaganza combines the fast-action of Blackjack with the skills required in Poker, merging two popular games into one.

How to Play

The object of the game is to make a higher points total than the dealer. Number cards count at face value, while Jack, Queen and Kings are worth 10 points and the Ace is worth 1 point. Unlike in Blackjack, you cannot bust, as the more points you have, the better.

Each player antes up is dealt two cards face up, and the dealer deals themselves three cards face down. Depending on your point total, you now have a number of options.

You can play on no matter what your point total, by placing a second bet of equal size to the first and getting a third card.

If your points total from your first two cards is less than five, you can get your full bet back, and end the round.

If your points total is between six and nine, you can get half your bet back, and end the round.

If your points total from your first two cards is 10 or more, you can carry on playing with two cards without making an additional bet.

If you play on, the dealer then reveals their hand.

How to Win

If the dealer’s point total is higher than yours, you lose both bets. If your point total is higher than the dealer’s, you win 1:1 on both bets.

Extra Rules

If the dealer’s hand includes a red ace as the first card, you lose your first bet. If you’ve placed a second bet, you get that back. If the dealer’s hand includes a red ace as the second or third card, you lose both bets. In both cases, the point totals are irrelevant.

It is also possible for you to get a bonus win on your three-card hand. If your hand makes up three cards of the same rank, you get a payout of three times your initial bet, while should your hand contain three picture cards of any rank, you get a payout of 1.5 times the initial bet.