Welcome to our how to play blackjack guide, where you will find all the information required relating to this popular card game enjoyed by millions throughout the world. The pages below contain a brief history of the game and the rules of playing the modern version of blackjack where players take their chances trying to beat the dealer rather than each other.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Blackjack
There is still debate concerning the origins of blackjack, of where and when the game began, but one thing is sure, blackjack has been played and enjoyed for centuries, evolving throughout the years into the immensely popular game that we enjoy today.
In some quarters it is thought that the game started its life back in the 18th century in France where the game was popular in the courts of Louis XV. At that time the game was called Vint-et-Un which translates into 21. As expected, there were differences to the modern version of the game of blackjack, with one of the most noticeable being that only the dealer was allowed to double down. Another major difference was that bets were able to be placed with every card that was dealt – nevertheless, it had the same basic and major objective as the modern game which is getting as close to 21 without busting.
Blackjack Moves to America
It was the French colonists who took Vingt-et-Un over to America, and it was in 1820 that the first legal and house banked games were offered to the public in New Orleans. Of course, there were plenty of other illegal and player-banked games taking place throughout the area, and it was here that the game’s name was changed to the English translation of 21.
Fast Forwarding to The ’50s
During the 1950’s, the popularity of the game hit the great casinos of Las Vegas, and with the increased popularity came an influx of players who developed their systems and strategies trying to ensure that their games went their way. One of the most famous of these strategies was card counting with one particular player, Jess Marcum, was banned from multiple casinos after using the technique of card counting to beat the house.
Several books have been written about blackjack strategy, including tracking the cards dealt to reduce the house edge to a minimum.
How to Play the Modern Game
The goal of today’s blackjack is the same as it has been throughout history: to get as close as possible to 21 without going over – and to have a higher hand than the dealer.
Saying this there are still a few rules you need to know before hitting the tables and playing for real cash whether you are at a brick and mortar casino or online. A good tip just about here is to try some of the online games of blackjack that you can play just for fun (and for free) before committing any of your own cash.
Let’s Look at The Steps To Playing Blackjack
- First you will need to join a blackjack table, maybe playing at one of the live online blackjack games available today. Once all players are read each one will be dealt two cards face up – as will the dealer but one of his cards is face down.
- Here you have to decide whether you are going to hit or stand. If you choose to hit then you will ask the dealer for another card (based on the value of the two turned face up) You can choose to hit the dealer again, bearing in mind that anything over 21 will see you bust and your game will be over. If you choose to stand (or stick) then you will ask the dealer to move onto the next player without dealing any more cards to you. Usually if you have over 17 in total value this happens as you cannot be too sure whether the dealer’s hand will beat yours or not.
- At this point if your hand value is still 21 or below you are still in the game
- At this point, the dealer reveals their cards turning their downwards facing card face up.
- If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealers then you win. If their hand is closer to 21 than any of the players taking part, the dealer wins.
Your payout amount will depend on the type of bet you have made if you are lucky enough to win.
A Few Other Basic Blackjack Rules
- Hit or Stand (stick) – All players have the basic choice of adding a card to their hand or not to reach a final hand value of 21 or as close as they can get to 21 – Players also have the choice to double down or split.
- With Double Down a player can choose to double their bet mid-hand, but they will only be offered one card without the option to take another.
- The split is when a player can turn their hand into two separate hands, which gives them an extra chance to win the dealer. This is usually the choice taken when a player is dealt two cards of the same value
- The dealer must hit on any hand which is valued at 16 or below.
- Regular wins pay 1-1 – and this is when the value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer’s cards
- Blackjack wins pay 3-2 – this is given when your cards add up to 21
More Advanced Betting Options
- Surrendering – Some online casinos let you Surrender half your bet if you do not like your hand.
- Insurance – If the dealer happens to deal themselves an Ace as their face up card, they will invite the player to take insurance, which will protect them if their other card happens to be a 10.
- Taking even money – If you are lucky enough to hit a blackjack but the dealer has an Ace face up, you will push (which means tie) if he also is lucky enough to have a blackjack. If you do not want to risk losing to the dealer you can choose to take even money instead of the usual blackjack 3-2 winnings.
- The Soft 17 – A soft hand is one that has an ace in it – an ace has two values 1 or 11, plus of course, any other cards dealt. Some casinos require the dealer to hit on a soft 17 whilst others ask that they stand – so always know which rules you are playing by.
A Summary of The Game of Blackjack
Enjoyed by millions of people via land-based casinos or online, the blackjack game has stood the test of time for good reason. The rules are pretty simple to pick up, and once that is achieved, your favourite strategies can be applied, adding more interest and excitement to the game. Even if you choose not to use any strategies, the game is still exciting as you weigh your hand against the dealers trying to decide what the value of that face-down card is worth and whether you will hit or stand.
