Free bet blackjack is a variation of the game of blackjack using six or eight decks of cards. Each casino must use a "free bet" lammer, which indicates when a player has opted to take a "free double" or a "free split." The game shall be dealt and played following the standard rules of blackjack in this chapter except:

1. (1) As follows:

   1. (a) "Free" double-down on first two-card hard total of 9, 10, or 11;
   2. (b) "Free" splits on all pairs except 10 value cards (10-10, J-J, Q-Q, or K-K);
   3. (c) "Free" double-down allowed after split or "free" split (followingstandardFreeBetBJrules);
   4. (d) "Free" re-splits allowed up to four hands (followingstandardFreeBetBJrules);
   5. (e) All normal splits allowed;
   6. (f) Regular doubles allowed on two-card hands;
   7. (g) Dealer pushes on 22;
   8. (h) Dealer hits on soft-17;
   9. (i) Blackjack pays 3-to-2;
   10. (j) 6 or 8 deck shoe; and
   11. (k) No late surrender.
2. (2) Prior to the start of each round of blackjack, each player may place a voluntary pot of gold blackjack wager on the designated spot on the table layout at the same time the player's primary wager is made and before any cards are dealt; and

3. (3) Each player has the opportunity to free split or free double as detailed below:

   1. (a) Free Split: Players may split any pairs except 10 value cards (10-10, J-J, Q-Q, or K-K) without making an additional wager. The dealer shall place a free bet lammer to the right (dealer's view) of the player's original bet and deal the game normally. There are three possible outcomes:

      1. (i) The player beats the dealer: The dealer pays the player for the player's original bet and an equivalent amount for the player's free split. If the player has made a pot of gold wager, the lammer must be moved by the dealer to a spot in front of the player's pot of gold wager. If the player did not make the pot of gold wager, the dealer collects the lammer;
      2. (ii) The player loses to the dealer: The dealer collects the player's original bet. If the player has made a pot of gold wager, the lammer must be moved by the dealer to a spot in front of the player's pot of gold wager. If the player did not make the pot of gold wager, the dealer collects the lammer; or
      3. (iii) The player and the dealer tie: The dealer pushes the player's original bet. If the player has made a pot of gold wager, the lammer must be moved by the dealer to a spot in front of the player's pot of gold wager. If the player did not make the pot of gold wager, the dealer collects the lammer;
   2. (b) If the player busts out of the hand with the original bet, the dealer places the original hand face down and places the bet on top of the hand. The dealer collects that bet at the end of the round. If split or re-split hands with free bet lammers win, the dealer pays each lammer the value of the original bet;
   3. (c) Free re-splitting up to four hands is allowed;
   4. (d) If a player wants to take advantage of the free split, the player holds out two fingers face down next to the player's original blackjack wager to signify the player wants the free split;
   5. (e) Each split hand is won or lost on its own merit (Ex., player may lose the original bet on first split hand and win on the second or more free split hands);

   6. (f) Free Double: Players may double a two-card hard count of 9, 10, or 11 without making an additional wager. The dealer places a free bet lammer to the right (dealer's view) of the player's original bet and deals the game normally. There are three possible outcomes:

      1. (i) The player beats the dealer: The dealer pays the player for the player's original bet and an equivalent amount for the player's free double. If the player has made a pot of gold wager, the lammer must be moved by the dealer to a spot in front of the player's pot of gold wager. If the player did not make the pot of gold wager, the dealer collects the lammer;
      2. (ii) The player loses to the dealer: The dealer collects the player's original bet. If the player has made a pot of gold wager, the lammer must be moved by the dealer to a spot in front of the player's pot of gold wager. If the player did not make the pot of gold wager, the dealer collects the lammer; or
      3. (iii) The player and the dealer tie: The dealer pushes the player's original bet. If the player has made a pot of gold wager, the lammer must be moved by the dealer to a spot in front of the player's pot of gold wager. If the player did not make the pot of gold wager, the dealer collects the lammer;
   7. (g) Free doubling after splitting is allowed, provided the player's point total is a two card hard total of 9, 10, or 11;
   8. (h) If a player wants to take advantage of the free double, the player point with the player's index finger next to the original blackjack wager to signify the player wants the free double;
   9. (i) If the player makes a bet for the dealer, the dealer is also eligible for the free split and free double along with the player. The same game rules apply to the dealers bet;

   10. (j) Pot of Gold: The pot of gold wager payouts are based on the total number of free bet lammers the player collects for each individual blackjack hand. Casino may choose from one of the following payouts odds and shall be posted at the table or on the table:

       Free

       Bets

       POG 01*

       POG 02*

       7

       1,000 to 1

       100 to 1

       6

       300 to 1

       100 to 1

       5

       100 to 1

       100 to 1

       4

       60 to 1

       50 to 1

       3

       30 to 1

       30 to 1

       2

       10 to 1

       12 to 1

       1

       3 to 1

       3 to 1

       and;

   11. (k) All pot of gold wagers lose to a dealer blackjack.

Source: 41 SDR 218, effective July 1, 2015.

General Authority: SDCL 42-7B-7.

Law Implemented: SDCL 42-7B-4(3) , 42-7B-7 , 42-7B-15.