The origin of Blackjack is somewhat unclear. Some people
believe that Blackjack originated in French casinos in the
early 1700s where it was known as "vingt-et-un" ("20 and
1").
The game became known as Blackjack because if a player held
a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades as the 1st two cards,
the player was paid out extra. So with a Jack being a vital
card and Spades being black, the game was called Blackjack.
This game has been played in the United States since the
1800's. However, between the 1850's and 1910, gambling was
legal in the United States until Nevada made it a felony to
gamble. In 1931, Casino gambling was re-legalized in Nevada
where Blackjack became one of the main games offered to
gamblers.
The objective of Blackjack is get as close to 21 points as
possible without going over 21 (bust). While numbered cards
are worth their face values, face cards (Jack, Queen and
King cards) are worth 10 each and the Ace card can be worth
either 1 or 11.
The person (player or dealer) whose total card value reaches
as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21 (bust) wins
the game. A tie (push) results if both the player and the
dealer get equal card values.
Today blackjack is a classic game played in the US, Canada,
Australia, Europe and many other places on the globe.
Internet BlackJack is growing in popularity during the last
few years, and hopefully blackjack would continue to be the
classic game it is today.
How To Play BlackJack
Blackjack is said to be one of the most popular casino game
of all time, and you have the potential to win lots of money
depending on your skill. Playing Blackjack is a very
difficult card game if you don't understand the strategy
behind it. To learn the basics of Blackjack we have made it
simple for you to get a quick start on how to play either at
a casino or online.
The whole objective of Blackjack is to accumulate your cards
with a point totals as close as you can get to 21 without
going past. In hand held games your cards are dealt face
down and you can pick them up as opposed to the shoe game
where you cant touch the cards and there dealt face up. You
will be head to head with the dealer trying to win with your
cards closest to 21, and if you beat the dealer you win the
game. Once you are given the 2 cards by the dealer it is
important to understand your cards. The face cards Jacks,
Queens and Kings give you 10 points automatically and the
Aces are worth either 1 or 11. The rest of the cards from 2
to 10 are counted as face value. For example if you are
dealt a 6 and an ACE your hand can either be 7 or 17 which
gives you an upper hand on the dealer. If you are playing
online or at a casino the cards are dealt when the player
place the wagers for the game.
Quick Blackjack Tips
- The general rule of blackjack if the dealer automatically
gets 21 (Blackjack) on the first deal, all the players at
the table will lose the hand, unless one of you has Black
Jack. In that case that would be called a tie push.
- When you play online or at a casino and your dealt 21 and
the Dealer has an Ace in his cards that means you have an
option to opt for even money. In this case you accept you
would be paid 1 to 1 as opposed to 3-2.
- Usually if the Dealer has an Ace showing they might offer
insurance to the people at the table. This means you can buy
half of your bet and pay back 2-1 if the dealer doesn't have
21.
- Even money is offered to the player to avoid a tie if you
have a feeling that the dealer might have 21 (Blackjack)
- Try and practice online or with friend before you play
with real money either online or at a Casino to avoid simple
mistake the pros wouldn't do.
- Be extremely careful when your on a loosing streak not to
bet a large amount of money on the next hand to cover your
loses.
Blackjack Player Moves
Before you want to play for money we suggest to know some of
the BlackJack moves there are in the game in order to help
you feel like a pro. There are 4 moves a player can make
while playing.
The 1st move is called the "Hit", that means if your not
satisfied with your current hand you have asked the dealer
to give you another card so you have a better chance to get
close to 21 without going over. Once the dealer gives you a
card and you go over 21 its called a bust and your wager is
taken away.
The 2nd move is called the "Stand". This is when the player
is satisfied with is current hand and wishes to challenger
the dealer.
The 3rd move is called the "Split". This is a move where if
you happened to receive the same cards of the same value for
example if you are dealt two 3's or two 9's etc. Depending
on the player you have the choice to spilt. When you make
the decision to spit the dealer would hand you two new cards
that go against the dealer sort of like a 2 to 1 but you
will have to place a bet on the split. If your ever dealt
Two Aces you have to stand with them and only allowed to be
dealt once.
Last but not least the 4th move is called Double up or
Double Down. This simply means you can double your original
bet after you receive your first two cards from the dealer.
If you decide to double down you will then receive only one
more card. Doubling down can be helpful in maximizing your
profit because it allows you to increase your wager after
you have seen the dealers cards.
Types of BlackJack Games & Rules
Weather you play at online or at your local casino you will
find 4 types of Blackjack games being played. The different
types of games are Spanish 21, Blackjack Switch, Progressive
Blackjack and Double BlackJack. All Four of these types of
games have a similar if not identical similarities as
Blackjack just with there own twist.
Spanish 21
- Playing Spanish 21 you use 6 to 8 decks with a total of 48
cards per deck.
- 21 the players automatically wins
- The player has the option to double down after splitting
the Aces
- Usually the Dealer would stand on 17
- You have the option to surrender after dubbing down
- If The Player has 21 with 5 Cards pays 3 to 2
6 Cards pays 2 to 1
7 Cards or more pays 3 to 1
Blackjack Switch
- Playing "Switch" usually 6 to 8 decks are used
- You have the option to double after a split
- You can also double up on any two cards
- As a player you can switch the second card dealt to you by
the dealer.
- Dealer hits a soft 17
- All cards on the table have to be dealt face up
- You must make two bets of equal size
- Your dealer is allowed to get up to 22 without busting and
total of 22 is a push.
Progressive Blackjack
- Playing "Progressive" there are 8 decks of 52 cards
- There is no surrender in progressive
- once every hand is played the deck is re shuffled
- You can double after splitting
- The Dealer stands on all 17's
Double Blackjack
- Playing "Double Blackjack" their are 6 to 8 decks of 52
cards.
- Similar to Spanish 21 but all the 10's are removed.
- When the dealer bust the payout is 1 : 1
- Jack pays out 3:1
- Nine pays out 6:1
- Eight pays out 8:1
- Six pays out 15:1
Also, check our
Blackjack Surrender page for another fun variation of
blackjack where you can decide to play the cards you are
dealt or get some of your bet back.
BlackJack Terminology
If you want to act like a pro at a Blackjack table or at a
Casino, we have provide you with what are the most important
terms you need to know. Don't be embarrassed and intimated
by the other Blackjack players at your table when your
conversing. Have a look below in some of the most common
slang used in playing Blackjack.
Ace Neutral Count - This is any card counting system that
doesn't keep track of Aces.
Back Counting - This is when your counting cards behind the
dealer with out placing a wager on the BlackJack table.
Bankroll - A Bankroll is used a lot in the gambling world
and it means the amount of money/chips you have available
for placing your bet.
Bust - Either when you or the dealer gets over 21 its called
a "Bust".
Blackjack - This is when you get a total of 21 on your first
hand by the dealer.
Card Counting - This is used only buy the professional
Blackjack players where they are able to work out the next
hand by probability.
Discards - These are the cards that are not used after the
game is done and are discarded.
Edge - The Edge is the percentage advantage the player or
the dealer has in a situation.
First Baseman - This is when a player would be sitting in
the first betting box directly beside the dealer shoe.
Hit - This is when the player want another card because he
is not satisfied with his original hand. The player would
also tap the table that's with out saying the world "Hit"
Push - This is when the player and the dealer have the same
total in their hands.
Up Card - The dealer's card that all the players can see.
Blackjack has now become a popular game to be played in
online
casinos. Instead of having to drive to your local
casino, you now have the ability to play many different
variations of blackjack from the comfort of your own home.
If you need help finding a site to play online blackjack
either check our top 5 sites listed below, or check out
check out this site about
casino blackjack
for help choosing a blackjack casino.
Here is a screenshot of a typical online blackjack game:
