Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most popular card games that can be found in casinos all over the globe. It has become one of the most preferred games by both casino newbies and regular players due to the fact that it provides them with a gambling experience that is both exhilarating and challenging. While playing blackjack gamblers definitely have a say in the outcome due to the fact that their skills can help them improve their chance of winning. In other words, a good knowledge of the game, as well as a decent strategy, will definitely help you improve your chances of getting a profit.
The development of technologies gave players all over the globe the chance to enjoy their favourite blackjack game in a wide array of online casinos. Now, casino lovers are enabled to experience the preferred titles from almost every location even with live dealers which further contributes to the popularity of the classic game. In addition to this, software suppliers have provided casino lovers with an abundance of blackjack variations that present one of the casino mainstays in an entirely new manner, thus making it even more exciting and appealing for players. Blackjack is also preferred by a large number of the casino fans due to the fact that the game comes with really low house advantage.
Brief History of Blackjack
The history of blackjack is shrouded in mystery as researchers cannot say for sure when exactly it appeared. In fact, there are numerous theories about how and when the game emerged. According to one of the most widespread views, the game we all know today is based on a French game called Vingt-et-un (which means twenty-one) that was played at the beginning of the 18th century. Some researchers also consider that games such as the Spanish Trente-un as well as the French Quinze may also be precursors to the classic casino game.
Just like in blackjack, in these games, cards were also valued in a particular way. Players were supposed to draw cards in an attempt to reach as close to a certain value as possible without exceeding it. It is considered that Vingt-et-un became so popular due to the fact that in the game both skills and luck were involved which made it quite challenging.
When the game was brought to America by the French colonists, it got the name 21. Even though there are certain differences between the rules of the two games, there are still some unarguable similarities between them.
The game did not develop and spread that quickly in France due to the fact that at that time a ban on gambling was introduced. Still, it started gaining tremendous popularity in America, thus becoming one of the most played games one can think of and also one of the most preferred for tournaments.
As you can see blackjack has gone a long way prior to becoming one of the most popular casino games. The game’s popularity can be attributed mainly to the fact that its rules are really straightforward, meaning that it is suitable for both casino novices as well as for seasoned players. Blackjack is among the casino games in which players can potentially win as long as they have a good knowledge of the game and apply a decent strategy.
Many gamblers erroneously consider that the objective of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible. As a matter of fact, the objective of the game is to beat the dealer by having a higher total than his/hers without exceeding 21. The player and the dealer will bust if the total of their hands is higher than 21.
One more thing we need to clarify is the difference between soft and hard hands. Players need to know that soft hands are hands that contain an ace the value of which is 11. If, for example, you are dealt an ace and a 6, this will mean that you have a soft 17. When it comes to hard hands, gamblers should bear in mind that these are hands in which there is an ace the value of which is 1 or there is not an ace at all. In other words, if your hand consists of a 9 and a 6, you will have a hard 15. A hard hand will also be a hand in which you have a 4, an ace, and a 10, for example.
Occasionally, when your initial hand is a soft one and you draw additional cards in order to complete it, it becomes a hard hand. In other words, if the first two cards you are dealt are, for example, a 6 and an ace that counts as eleven, this will mean that you have a soft hand that will become a hard one if you draw an additional card. This means that if you have a soft hand and you draw an additional card in order to complete your hand, you will not bust due to the fact that the value of the ace will become one. This aims at preventing you from going over 21.
Prior to playing gamblers should pay special attention to certain things. In the first place, they should check what are the betting limits of the particular table. In addition to this, they also need to check the number of the decks the game is played with. There are blackjack variations that are played four, six or even eight decks of 52 cards.
Card Value in Blackjack
As previously noted, a good knowledge of blackjack is definitely a must for every self-respecting player. When it comes to this particular game, gamblers should first acquaint themselves with the way cards are valued if they want to be able to make the right decisions.
Gamblers should know that in blackjack all face cards will bring them ten points. An ace can bring 1 or 11 points, depending on the hand. The number of the points that the rest of the cards will bring you is determined by their numerical value which means that, for example, a 5 will bring you five points, a 6 will bring you six points and so on. Players should bear in mind that unlike other casino games in blackjack, the suit of the cards is not important which means that the total of your hand will be determined solely by the value of the cards.
Possible Moves
Blackjack or 21 as the game is also known is a card game in which players are initially dealt two cards. They can be dealt face up or face down, depending on the casino in which you have chosen to play. The dealer also gets two cards. In most cases, one of the cards is face up, whereas the other is face down. The face-down card is called a “hole card”. After they are dealt their first two cards, gamblers are then given the chance to improve their hands by drawing additional cards.
Once players have completed their hands, the dealer should also do the same. Then, the dealer will reveal the card that is face down and if you have not busted and the total of your hand is higher than the total of the dealer, you will win. Players will also win if the total of the dealer’s hand exceeds 21 or when they have a blackjack. It should be noted that if the value of your hand is equal to the value of the hand of the dealer, this is called a “tie”. In such cases, players will neither win, nor lose and they will get their bet back.
After players are dealt their two cards, they are enabled to choose between several possible moves. Gamblers are given the chance to “hit” which will mean that they want an additional card in order to improve their hand. If you are satisfied with the cards you have, then you should “stand”. The other option players will have is to split their hand. They are enabled to split two cards with equal value. In this way, players will form two separate hands and they will have to place a second bet that is equal to their first bet. If your hand consists of two 7s, for example, you will be enabled to split them, thus forming two independent hands you can also improve by drawing additional cards. Still, players should bear in mind that in most casinos when they split two aces, they will have the chance to draw only one additional for each of the hands.
Doubling down is yet another option gamblers have while playing blackjack. In this way, gamblers will double their initial bet and will also get an additional card. Most of the casinos will allow you to double down after you are dealt your first two cards.
Some casino operators also enable players to “surrender”. In this way, gamblers will end their turn and will lose one half of the bet they have initially placed. If this option is available in the casino you have chosen, you will probably have the chance to surrender after your first two cards are dealt. You need to bear in mind that if you have drawn an additional card, you will not have the chance to surrender.
It should be noted that in some casinos gamblers are allowed to surrender before the dealer has checked whether he/she has a blackjack by revealing the card that is face down. This option is known as early surrender. In some casinos, gamblers are also enabled to surrender after the dealer has checked his/her cards. This, however, will be a late surrender.
As it was already mentioned, one of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up and the other one is dealt face down. If the card of the dealer that is face up is an ace, gamblers will be offered to buy an insurance. This is a side bet the aim of which is to insure the player if the dealer has a blackjack. The payoff for such bets is 2 to 1.
Blackjack Odds
As indicated previously, blackjack is a casino game in which both skills and knowledge are important. This means that while playing blackjack gamblers can influence the results from the game as long as they take their time to study and to improve their skills.
In essence, blackjack is one of the casino games that come with low house advantage. It should be noted that while playing certain blackjack variations, players have higher chances of winning in comparison with other variants of the classic casino game. The explanation for this is quite simple as in some of the variations of the game, there are specific rules that also increase the house advantage. One more thing that also influences the house advantage is the number of the decks that are used in the particular game. Players need also to take into consideration the card of the dealer that is face up. As a matter of fact, this card plays an important role in the decision-making simply because in most of the strategies your moves will be determined namely by this card.
Those of you who prefer engaging in blackjack will be delighted to find out that the classic game comes with a house advantage that is usually less than 1%. Still, the house edge varies from variation to variation the best way to estimate it is to evaluate the game.
In blackjack players are enabled to maximise their chances of winning if they know the game well as well as if they apply a decent strategy. That is why if gamblers want to swing the odds in their favour, they should use at least a basic strategy. Not to mention the fact that there are also certain techniques that will also help you decrease the advantage the house has over you.
Playing Blackjack on the Move
The technological advancement brought about numerous changes in the gambling world. Undoubtedly, one of the improvements gamblers greatly benefited from is that now they have the chance to play their favourite blackjack variation via their portable devices. Software suppliers have worked really hard in order to provide players who prefer engaging in this classic casino game with plenty of options.
Presently, gamblers can easily access the preferred blackjack game and enjoy it whenever and wherever they wish. Still, they should not forget that in order to enjoy a smooth and a trouble-free gaming experience, they will need a reliable Internet connection. This will mean that players can wager as much as they want without visiting a land-based casino.
As blackjack is one of the most played games of all times, it is anything but surprising that there is such an abundance of blackjack variations. In addition to this, most of the blackjack games you will stumble upon are compatible with portable devices that use some of the major operating systems such as Android and iOS.
Blackjack lovers are enabled to choose between a wide array of variations of the game that are suitable for mobile play. Such games feature really impressive graphics that will make you feel just like you are wagering in a brick-and-mortar casino. What is more, playing blackjack via your portable device will provide you with extremely high levels of convenience and flexibility simply because you will have the chance to wager from the comfort of your surroundings.
If you think that you have managed to find the right casino to play blackjack, the first thing you will need to do is to open an account. After you have created your casino account, you will be able to play the preferred games. Gamblers are given the opportunity to visit the website of the preferred casino and start wagering right away. In this way, you will load its software directly in your browser which will enable you to enjoy your favourite blackjack game a well as other of the games that are on offer from almost every location.
It should also be noted that there is also a mind-blowing number of blackjack games that can be downloaded and installed on your portable device. Such apps run extremely smoothly on almost every portable device, meaning that you will be able to enjoy your games of choice to the fullest. In fact, many players reckon that downloading and installing an additional software is a setback as it may be slightly burdensome. Still, the whole process will be completed in no time and hardly there is something that can go wrong so you should not worry about this.
Most Popular Blackjack Variations
Pontoon
Pontoon is among the most popular blackjack variations available out there. In fact, the game is also known as British blackjack variant of the classic game. Pontoon will enable gamblers to experience one of the casino mainstays in an entirely new manner as there are a few twists that will definitely diversify your gaming experience. One of Pontoon’s distinctive features is that the dealer does not have a hole card, meaning that players will find out whether the dealer has a Pontoon at the end of the round. One more thing that distinguishes Pontoon from the rest of the blackjack games is that the possible moves are referred to in a different way. In Pontoon a “twist” is used instead of “hit”, “stick” instead of “stand”, and “buy” instead of “double down”.
Double Exposure Blackjack
Double Exposure Blackjack is one of the variations of the classic casino game in which players definitely have higher chances of winning due to the fact that both cards of the dealer are face up which undoubtedly gives gamblers certain advantage. Still, there is an additional rule the aim of which is to compensate for this advantage. In general, the game follows the rules of classic blackjack. Yet, there are certain differences that should be taken into consideration. In the first place, players should know that the cards of the dealer are both face up and that the dealer will win all ties, with the exception of a natural blackjack which will pay even money. In addition to this, players are allowed to split their hands only once. Even though the game comes with slightly higher house edge in comparison with other blackjack games, it still ranks as one of the most well-liked variants of the classic blackjack game.
Multi-Hand Blackjack
Multi-hand blackjack is definitely one of the most exciting blackjack variations as it enables gamblers to play up to five hands simultaneously. While playing this game, gamblers are usually given the opportunity to decide how many hands they want to play. After you have placed your bet, you will be dealt cards for each of the hands that will be played independently. The objective of the game is the same as in classic blackjack. The possible moves are also the same as gamblers can hit, stand, double down, split or surrender. The most important thing players should not forget is that each of their hands will be played separately which means that some of your hands may be winning, whereas others may lose.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch is yet another quite popular game that is preferred by a large number of the gamblers. The main peculiarity of the game is that players have two hands instead of a single one. In addition to this, players are allowed to exchange the top cards between the two hands. They should bear in mind that here, the hands are also played separately from each other. As you can probably guess, there are certain additional rules that make up for the advantage this element from the game brings. In this game, a natural blackjack will pay out even money, instead of 3:2 in classic blackjack. Gamblers should not forget that in Blackjack Switch if the dealer has a hard 22, such hands will push all player’s hands with the exception of a natural blackjack.
Conclusion
Blackjack has undoubtedly become one of the most well-liked casino games due to the fact that it provides casino lovers with an extremely exhilarating gaming experience. It is one of the games that have become an integral part of the portfolios of casinos, be it web-based or brick-and-mortar. Blackjack is a game of both skills and luck, meaning that players definitely have a say in the outcome as long as they have a good knowledge of it and apply a decent strategy.