Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games worldwide and its well-loved by players who want to implement strategies and outwit the dealer. Although blackjack is an easy game to learn it’s one that can take plenty of practise to master, as players can use skill to influence the outcome.
As a finite number of cards are used in every game of blackjack there are only a set number of possible combinations available and a strategy table will assist you in determining what to do when faced with a specific hand. Over time you’ll learn how to implement strategic game play and your winning opportunities will increase exponentially. There are very few casino games where strategy can be used to such an impressive effect and blackjack is popular in part for this exact reason. It’s challenging, exciting and suspenseful and when a player is confident in their ability the rewards can be immense.
Brief Blackjack History
The origins of blackjack are somewhat unclear but the style of play we know today seems to have emerged in the US in around the early 1900’s. The game was based on the French form of entertainment called Vingt-et-Un, meaning 21, a nickname that blackjack has earned due to the objective of the game being building a hand that equals this number.
Blackjack was very popular in land based casinos and its one of the most played table games across the globe. In the mid 1990’s online casinos started opening their virtual doors and the game of blackjack went digital. Today, you can enjoy more than 40 different variants online, including Spanish, European, Atlantic City and Vegas Blackjack as well as Live Dealer games that allow you to interact with a real dealer via video feed. Progressive jackpot blackjack and blackjack tournaments are also readily available, and there is no shortage of choice for the avid card player.
Quick Guide to Playing Blackjack
The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer to 21 but not go over or ‘bust’. Should you bust you immediately lose the game. Each card has a value and these values are used to calculate your hand. Cards 2-9 have their face value, whilst Jacks, Queens and Kings are all worth 10 points each. An Ace is worth either 1 or 11 depending on the game you play. When an Ace equals 11 its said you are playing a ‘soft hand’, and when it equals one you have a ‘hard hand’.
Before your cards are dealt you’ll place your bets and thereafter the dealer will give you two cards that both face up. The dealer also receives a card that is face up (in some variants it stays face down) and if your hand makes up 21 you have attained ‘blackjack’ and are the winner. If you do not immediately have a total of 21 the game can progress depending on what move you choose to make, unless of course the dealer happens to have online blackjack Australia and beats you.
Blackjack is exciting and the fact that you can use strategy to beat the dealer makes it all the more appealing to those who love a little bit of a challenge.
