If you’re a fan of card games, then Blackjack is right for you. You don’t have to leave your luck to fate; instead, you can use various strategies to increase your chances of winning.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games. You can also play it in online casinos (source: pixabay.com)
Blackjack (sometimes also referred to as Black Jack) is one of the most popular card games often played in casinos and gambling halls. Recently, however, it has also gained great popularity on the internet, so you can play it online. Its rules and intricacy are particularly appreciated by players with sharp minds who do not want to leave their winnings to chance. Just choose the right strategy that will lead you to the desired win. Unlike other gambling games, Blackjack is unique in that the player can even gain a certain advantage over the dealer, thus mastering the entire game.
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History of blackjack
According to preserved records, it is clear that Blackjack originates from the French card game named vingt-et-un (translated as “twenty-one”) played in casinos as early as the 17th century. It was not until the second half of the 19th century that it spread to America, where it took hold in local casinos and saloons under the name Twenty-one. From its foundations also came the Czech variant with mariáš cards called Jednadvacet or Oko bere. The only differences between the two games are the way the cards are counted and the terminology used.
Blackjack rules
The goal of this game is to get as close as possible to the number 21 with the cards obtained, and thus beat the dealer. The color of the card does not matter. However, the player must not exceed this number, which is referred to as “bust” or “over”, as the game ends for that player. If the dealer exceeds this limit, they lose to every player who has not exceeded the value of their cards. All players play individually against the dealer. During a single game, some may win, others may lose or draw. Cards with values of 2 – 10 have the value indicated on them. Higher cards J, Q, and K are counted as 10 points. The only variable card is the Ace, which can be worth 1 or 11 points. If the player counts the Ace as 11 points, the total is called a “soft hand”, because if another card is drawn, there is no risk of exceeding the limit of 21 points. Conversely, if the Ace is worth only one point, the total is referred to as a “hard hand”. Blackjack refers to the combination of the first two cards consisting of an Ace and another ten-point card.
How to play blackjack
This card game starts with players placing betting chips in designated fields. In the next step, the dealer deals one card to each player. From the dealer’s perspective, the game always proceeds clockwise. Another round of card dealing follows until each player has two cards. These are usually laid face-up on the table so that everyone can see them. Based on the first two cards, players choose their strategy and decide how they will proceed in the next round. The game continues until the player decides to stand or exceeds 21 points with their card values. Unlike Oko bere, Blackjack offers the possibility to split or double the bet (split or double). After the game ends, the dealer first takes the bets of the players who lost, then pays out the winners and returns the bets to those who tied with him. However, each operator can adjust the rules of Blackjack and, for example, deal the cards to the players face down or change the way the cards are dealt to the dealer.
Dealer’s gameplay
The dealer has strict rules on how to proceed in the game. If the total value of their cards is 16 or less, the dealer must take another card. However, if their total exceeds 17, they must stand. Some casinos allow the second rule to be broken if the dealer has a soft hand. If drawing a card causes the dealer to exceed 21, they pay out winnings to all players who have not exceeded this value in a 1:1 ratio.
Player’s gameplay
Players have many more options than the dealer in the game. These are commonly expressed using English terms and in each round, players indicate their intentions:
- Hit = take another card from the dealer
- Stand = stand — the game ends for that player
- Double = double the bet, take the last card, and thus end the game
- Split = split the hand – this can only be done if the player has two cards of the same value. By splitting them, they start playing each card separately. However, the original bet must be doubled.
- Surrender = surrender – the player can only do this after receiving the first two cards. If they are not satisfied with their total, by surrendering, they get back half of their bet, and the other half goes to the game operator.
- Insurance = insure – if the dealer receives an Ace as their first card, players can insure against Blackjack before taking a second card. Insurance is paid out in a 2:1 ratio and its maximum amount is half the original bet.
- Even money = this option is offered by the dealer to a player who has reached Blackjack and the dealer has an Ace as their first card. At this moment, the dealer can pay out the winnings in a 1:1 ratio instead of the usual 3:2. By accepting it, the player avoids the possibility that the dealer also achieves Blackjack and the game ends in a draw.
Variation of basic game rules
The biggest differences that may appear in the game concern doubling the bet or splitting the hand.
- Double on hard hands: Some gambling halls only allow doubling the original bet if the hard total of the cards is 9, 10, 11, or only 10, 11.
- One card on split Aces: If a player receives two Aces at the start and decides to split them, the dealer only gives one card for each Ace in the next round, and the game ends. In both cases, the Ace is counted as 11 points.
- Re-split: Allows the player to split the game again if the third card in the order has the same value as the first two. Thus, they can play up to four separate games simultaneously. However, this rule usually does not apply to Aces.
- Split limits double: If a player splits the game, doubling the original bet in the next step is usually prohibited.
Winning payout
If the player wins with the total value of their cards against the dealer, they receive their winnings in a 1:1 ratio. If they achieve Blackjack and the dealer does not, the winnings are paid out in a 3:2 ratio or 1.5:1. A draw occurs if the total value of the player’s and dealer’s cards is the same. Bets are then returned to the players. If the dealer exceeds the limit of 21 points, the game ends for everyone, and all players whose total card values do not exceed this limit win.
Blackjack strategy
The only advantage for the game operator is that the player always decides first. So, if they exceed 21 points with their card values, they lose regardless of the dealer’s cards. In the basic strategy, the percentage advantage of the operator over the players is less than 1%.
Basic strategy
Players can adjust their decisions and further steps in the game based on the cards they hold and the dealer’s first card. In a game with 4 – 8 decks, where the dealer stands on a soft 17, double can be done on any 2 cards even after splitting, and players have the option of late surrender, this table can be used for strategy. Players can get coordinates based on their own two cards and the dealer’s first card, which determines their next step.
- S = Stand
- H = Hit
- Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
- Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
- SP = Split
- SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)
Advanced strategy: Advantage play
With a larger number of games played, the advantage is again on the player’s side. In most cases, the operator’s chance of winning ranges between 0.5 – 1%. However, players can further increase their chances of winning or completely turn the game in their favor through various tactics. The more decks in the game, the greater the probability of the operator winning. However, players can reverse this by counting cards during the game. This method involves carefully monitoring or counting cards with a value of 10 points that have already been drawn from the deck during the game. The more ten-point cards remaining in the deck, the greater the player’s chance of winning. Although this is a very demanding technique, mastering it increases the player’s advantage over the operator by 2%. Fewer decks in the game mean easier card counting. In games with only one deck, casinos often prevent showing cards to other players. Although card counting is legal, most gambling halls and casinos do not tolerate it among players. The use of various memory or recording devices is then strictly prohibited. Besides the dealer, participants’ actions are also monitored by cameras, whose footage is observed by a team of game experts. Repeatedly violating the gambling hall rules may lead to a player being placed on a blacklist shared among individual operators.
Tournament blackjack
At the beginning of the game, players receive the same amount of chips and the goal of each is to increase their number as much as possible. Each player must therefore completely eliminate others or surpass their number of chips. This can be achieved in two ways. In a game with multiple tables, only players with the highest number of chips advance or after a certain number of rounds, players with the fewest chips are eliminated. Placing a high bet allows the player to gain a large lead over others. However, this move also carries the risk that in the event of a loss, they will be eliminated from the tournament in subsequent rounds.
Where to play blackjack
In addition to casinos and gambling halls, this popular card game can also be played on the internet. Many online portals offer the option to play just for fun without the need to bet real money. However, if you are tempted by the adrenaline or believe in your skills enough to dare to play for money, online casinos offer this option to adult players as well. You can easily enjoy the thrill and pleasure of the game in the comfort of your home or experience the unique atmosphere that gambling halls offer their visitors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ What is the goal of blackjack?
The task of each player is to beat the dealer and get as close as possible to a total of 21 without exceeding this value.2️⃣ Where to play blackjack?
As it is a very popular card game, it can be played in almost every gambling hall or casino. On various internet portals, it is possible to play blackjack online for money or just for fun.
3️⃣ How does the card counting strategy work?
In this strategy, players count high cards in the deck worth 10 points. The more such cards remain in the deck, the higher their chance of winning.
Kristyna Baranova
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