Hi-Lo-13 European Blackjack Gold — or Hi-Lo-13 Blackjack for short — is an online blackjack variation with a side bet on the total of your first two cards. The side bet adds an interesting twist to your regular game of European blackjack.

You start your Hi-Lo-13 Blackjack game the same as you start any other online blackjack game, by placing your bet on the virtual blackjack table in the area marked "Click To Place Bets." The chips placed in the Click To Place Bets area represent your regular blackjack bet.

But notice that there are three circles on the virtual blackjack table marked "Lo," "13," and "Hi." You make your Hi-Lo-13 Blackjack side bet by placing chips in one of these circles.

• "Lo" is a bet that the sum of your first two cards will be lower than 13.
• "13" is a bet that the sum of your first two cards will be exactly 13.
• "Hi" is a bet that the sum of your first two cards will be higher than 13.

The Hi-Lo-13 Blackjack side bet is determined immediately after the deal of the cards and is determined solely by the sum of your first two cards. The side bet is independent of your regular blackjack bet. Thus it is possible to win the side bet but lose the regular bet, to lose the side bet but win the main bet, or to win both bets, or to lose both bets.

For purposes of the side bet, aces count as 1. If your first two cards are an ace and a 10, you have a Blackjack and you win a 3-2 payout on your main bet. But for purposes of the side bet, an ace and a 10 add up to 11, which is a winner if you bet on Lo but a loser if you bet on 13 or Hi.

A winning Lo or Hi side bet pays out 1-to-1 on your bet. A winning 13 side bet pays out a 10-to-1 jackpot on your side bet.

The Hi-Lo-13 Blackjack side bet is determined upon the initial deal of the blackjack cards. If you win the side bet, you will be credited immediately with your winnings. Either way, win or lose, your side bet will be removed from the virtual blackjack table and the game will proceed according to the ordinary European Blackjack rules.

As in any game of online European Blackjack, you may hit or stand or, in the appropriate circumstances, split or double or buy insurance. The object, as always, is to obtain a higher hand than the dealer's without going over 21. And as in any game of European Blackjack, you will be awarded a 3-to-2 payout on a hand of Blackjack and a 1-to-1 payout on any other winning hand.

Since the Hi-Lo-13 side bet is determined immediately and removed from the table, it really has no effect on your overall blackjack strategy when playing your hand. The best blackjack strategy when playing Hi-Lo-13 Blackjack, therefore, is to obtain a blackjack basic strategy chart appropriate for a two-deck blackjack game in which the dealer stands on all 17s and to follow its guidelines. Following the basic blackjack strategy chart does not guarantee that you will win every hand, but it does give you the best chance of coming out ahead in the long run in this or any other game of blackjack in the online casino.

Hi-Lo-13 European Blackjack Gold is a fun online blackjack game with an interesting twist. The Hi-Lo-13 side bet adds an extra element of drama and excitement to your regular European Blackjack game. Try playing Hi-Lo-13 blackjack online and see how the side bet adds that extra dash of fun to an already fun game of European Blackjack.