Blackjack is widely believed to be the most popular out of all the casino games. This game has been played for years at many land based casino locations and with the introduction of online casinos in the mid 1990s, it was therefore only a natural step that the game would have a major part to play.
Today, at online casino sites, the game usually has pride of place in the casino lobby. This is an exciting game and is one that many people even those who do not usually frequent a casino know something about.
Blackjack is a simple game to play in its basic form and nowadays, various different types are available. Before beginning to play, it is advisable to gain a thorough understanding of the way in which the game works.
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Where did blackjack start?
The history of the game is rather unclear but it is generally agreed that the game probably evolved out of one or several similar games that were popular in Europein the 18th century. General opinion leads to the theory that blackjack developed out of the game Vingt-et-Un that was played in France in the 1700s. ‘Vingt-et-Un’ means ‘twenty-one’ in English, a number that is still so significant in the game.
It is believed that the game of 21 made its way to North America together with immigrants from Europe following the French Revolution. Once gambling was made legal in Nevada in the 1930s, this game of 21 appeared at various casino locations. As the game did not prove to be an instant success, in an attempt to attract customers to try their hand, casino operators altered the rules slightly.
This change provided improved odds for the player. One of these alterations involved a special payout if the player managed to win the game and reach a card total of 21 with the jack of spades together with an ace of spades. With the value of the blackjack card being evident, the game soon gathered interest and gained the name ‘blackjack‘. As the game increased in popularity, the special odds were soon left behind. However, the new name stuck!
What are the rules of blackjack?
As with any game it is recommended for players to learn how to play the game before starting and the basic game of blackjack is simple to understand. At most online casinos, a host of information is provided regarding the variety of games including how to play. Understand the rules properly can only improve a player’s chances of winning.
The main idea of the game is to get a card total of as close as possible to 21, without exceeding this number. In the majority of cases, the player tries to get a better hand than the dealer’s hand and does not compete against other players. At the beginning, both the player and the dealer receive two cards and the player then needs to decide whether to stick with those cards or to ‘hit’ and request an additional card.
How to play blackjack
The aim of the game is to obtain a final card total of as close as possible to 21. It is vital not to exceed this number as this brings about an immediate loss of the game.
Within the rules of blackjack, first of all comes betting on the game. Two cards are then dealt to each participating player. The dealer is part of the action and also receives two cards, one that is shown and one that remains face down. The player is actually competing against the dealer and tries to achieve a better hand than the dealer’s hand. Each player then decides whether to receive more cards or to stand and stay with the two initial cards dealt, bearing in mind the objective of reaching a total close to twenty one.
It should be noted that face cards are valued at ten in the game. An ace may be valued at one or eleven according of the choice of the player. Before making the decision regarding the choice of more cards it is worth taking into consideration the following.
In the case that the dealer’s hand contains a card total of below sixteen, then the dealer has to continue to hit. In other words, this means to receive another card. In the case that the dealer’s hand contains a card total of seventeen or above, the dealer needs to ‘stand’, to remain with these cards and will not get additional cards in this game.
Once the player decides to settle with the cards in hand and stand then the dealer’s previously undisclosed card is shown. The one that holds the card hand total that is closest to 21 without exceeding this number is determined as the winner of the game.
It is worth noting that the suit shown on the card has no relevance to the game.
A blackjack is a card combination of an ace together with a card valued at ten. This card hand total of 21 is created out of two cards only. Although a card total may be made out of more than two cards and may still produce a win, this is not referred to as a ‘blackjack’. The difference is relevant for the payout odds and gaining a blackjack is the best way to win.
Even though this does not happen very often, it is possible that a tie may occur. In such an event, the player receives back the amount of the initial wager.
What is a blackjack strategy?
The creation of a blackjack strategy has also played a part in the game’s history. In the 1950s, statistics and mathematical theories were discussed as they related to the game. An article “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack” was written at this time by The Four Horseman and on similar lines, a book was released in 1962 called “Beat the Dealer” by Professor Edward Thorp. The ideas in this book became known as the basic blackjack strategy.
Blackjack strategy presents a calculated response to any situations and any combination of cards. A basic strategy appears in the form of a chart that dictates to the player what type of action should be taken according to the cards that have been dealt. The use of such charts is not permitted at many land based casinos, but at an online casino, the player may play as he or she wishes.
The main thing that should be noted regarding the use of a strategy is that this may only be beneficial in the long term and should not be relied on to produce a win over a couple of games.
What are the different kinds of blackjack?
Nowadays, there are many variations of the game available. They may be played in a classic form and also at many sites in a range of varieties. This game is so popular that various different forms have been created that are based on the original form. Popular types of the game include European, Atlantic City and Spanish Blackjack, each with their own attractions and rules. Many of the different varieties may be played in both single hand and multi hand forms. It may also be enjoyed in tournaments and as online live dealer games.
European blackjack
This is one of the most popular varieties of the game, which is simple to learn. This is like the original game with which many players are familiar. It involves two decks of cards and in this pursuit face cards are valued at ten and an Ace may be one or eleven.
Atlantic City blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack is an attractive variation of the game that has many similarities to the classic version. This pursuit is played with 8 decks of cards and at many online gaming sites, it is available in both single hand and multi hand forms.
Spanish blackjack
This involves Spanish card decks that have 48 cards rather than the usual 52. It is played with 8 such decks and is played without the tens. Game rules are therefore particularly important here.
Bonus blackjack
A fun form of the game that is played like the European variation, but it has its own special bonus option. Players may choose to place a wager on the bonus option in which the appearance of a blackjack hand will produce a special payout. A player that manages to obtain a blackjack with an ace, plus a jack of spades will gain a 50-1 payout.
Double Exposure blackjack
Another exciting variation of the game is Double Exposure, that although based on the original game, does have its own unique elements and rules. In this game, both of the dealer’s cards are revealed and yet in spite of this, the game has quite a high house edge.
Blackjack Switch
A variation of the game in which players are dealt two hands and then may switch or swap the original cards between the two hands.
Multi-hand blackjack
Multi-hand, as its name suggests, enables its gamers to play more than one hand at the same time. This is a very exciting way to play and different forms of the game are available as a multi-hand option.
Elimination blackjack
Elimination is an interesting variation of the game in which rather than playing against the dealer, players try to knock out other players in order to be the last remaining player at the table.
This is one of the most popular casino games that is played in different places around the world and is available in several variations.
Where can I play blackjack free online?
Free blackjack is an attractive opportunity for any online gamer, and many casinos offer freeplay table games in demo mode, where the player doesn’t wager, win or lose any money. Free blackjack games may be accessed if you just want to play for fun or if you’re just starting out as a player and want to practice risk-free. This is considered by many players as a smart way to learn the game or to try out different strategies and practice before playing for real money.
The game of blackjack is a very popular pursuit that has proved to be successful for years in different places around the world. Even though this game is still a major attraction at land based casino locations, it has become an integral part of the majority of online casino sites, taking its natural pride of place in the casino lobby.
How to play blackjack responsibly
Managing your bankroll is essential to a good strategy. Nobody can win all the time and therefore the careful control of casino playing funds is vital with regards to minimizing losses. This may be done by determining winning and losing amounts before beginning to play. Such an action means that the player is aware exactly when to finish playing for the day.
If the player reaches the winning amount level, then the gaming session finishes when the player still has some funds and if the player reaches the losing level, then at least the gamer will not lose any funds that can not be afforded. It is of course then important to keep to these pre-arranged limits.
