The game probably spread into the USA from New Orleans, via the Mississippi riverboats, and earned its name from the practice of giving a bonus for turning up both a black jack and the ace of spades.  Now the bonus has fallen from use, and “blackjack” refers to a hand with an ace plus face card or ten of either colour.

In a casino, the game is played on a long, narrow table with the players facing the banker.  The banker deals two cards to each player, the first face up, a second face down in the so-called “hole.”  Players take turns to bet and take another card, a hit, a stand with the cards dealt, or double.  In the latter, a single card is dealt for a double bet and the player finishes.  A fourth option, the split, can be run if the first two cards have the same value.  The player can run two hands, taking more cards.  Players take more cards, or not, as they try to get closer to 21 than the banker.  If they go over 21 – bust – the bets are forfeit.

The banker then tries to beat the players, turning over new cards until a minimum of 17 is reached.  The bank cannot double, but can go bust.  The bank pays out on better hands, returns bets on equal scores, and collects on lower or bust hands.

Betraying its French roots, the game is played with multiple packs of cards dealt from shoes.  The used cards are discarded, encouraging players to count cards in an attempt to increase their chance of winning.  A sound, basic strategy can see a player lose only 1% or so of the base stake, which is a much better rate than for most other casino games.

All players on a blackjack table receive two cards face up, while the dealer gets a card face up and a hidden card.  Depending on the number of points, each player decides whether to get a new card and try to accumulate points as close to 21 as possible, or to stay only with their first two cards.  When someone is dealt a face card and an ace in the first round, this is called a blackjack and the person is the winner.  The players who get more than 21 points automatically lose.  It is very important to keep track of the points and count the cards, but other than that, blackjack is considered an easy game with big winnings.

The assumption that a player seated at a table can increase the ‘house’ advantage is false. For example, a player seated at third-base who incorrectly takes a hit and busts may have prevented the dealer from busting. However, these situations generally aid the other players as much as they hinder them.

Casinos often stress the importance of attempting to get as close as possible to 21. However, this strategy is flawed, as the main objective of the game is to beat the dealer. Increasing your chances of going bust provides the dealer with another edge.

Doubling the amount you bet every time you lose is generally not a wise strategy to employ. While it may recoup your losses in the long-term, you may find that you have reached the table limit or burned through your entire bankroll before winning. There is an equal chance of winning/losing a hand irrespective of the outcome of the previous hand.

At this point you can total your two cards and decide what to do next.  For anything 16 and over, it is recommended to ‘hold’ or ‘stick’. This means to not play any further and hope the dealer doesn’t beat your total.  With lower totals you must ‘twist’ and receive another card.  Going over 21 leads to a ‘bust’ and you will lose your bet.  After everyone has played, the dealer will give himself another card and he can then play in the same way as the other players until he is happy.  Aces can count as high or low, depending on your needs.

Should the dealer bust, all players who did not bust will win and double their bet.  Otherwise, should they beat a player’s total they win his or her bet, and if they have a lower total they pay out.  Should the same total be achieved across the board, all parties keep their original stake.

The rules of blackjack are common across most casinos and, once all bets have been made, the dealer will then commence dealing two cards to all players involved.  Once the cards have been dealt, depending on the game type, the player will either pick up their hand or, if the cards are dealt from a shoe, then the cards are dealt face up and the player is not allowed to touch them at any point. 

In some European casinos there is a different situation where the dealer will not deal their second card until after all players have completed their hands.  This is known as the ‘European No Hole Card’ rule and can change a player’s strategy.  Another aspect of the dealer’s play is in relation to the point at which they must stay on a hand.  Most casinos dictate that a dealer must stand on 17 though there are some that have a soft 17 rule.  This rule says that if the dealer has 17 with an ace then this is considered soft and so they must draw a card.

Other rules of blackjack include the use of ‘doubling down’, where a player will double their initial bet for one additional card, or the taking of insurance bets if the dealer has an ace showing.

Before any cards are dealt, the player must make a bet.  Each player is dealt two cards, which are face up. The dealer’s cards are positioned, one facing up and one facing down.  Each player now decides if he will stay  (or in Pontoon stick), which means he will not ask for any more cards, or turn  (in Pontoon twist) which means he wants another card.  When each player has had their turn the dealer must begin his play by turning up his down facing card.  Blackjack rules state that if the dealer holds a hand of 17 or more he must stay but if he has 16 or less he must turn.  If the dealer is bust then all players remaining in the game automatically win.

There are three different types of pairs, and they will each have different payout amounts.  A mixed pair is one that has a red suit and a black suit.  A coloured pair is cards of the same colour, and a perfect pair is an identical match, such as a King of Diamonds with a King of Diamonds.

A mixed pair will reward the player with a payout of 5 to 1.  A coloured pair pays 10 to 1, and a perfect pair will pay 30 to 1.  When playing this side bet, players need to be aware that the house edge on the bet is 6.76%.

All perfect pairs side bets will be paid or collected before the remainder of the blackjack game is played.  Following the results of the side bet, the game will continue as normal, with each player making their decisions on how to play their hand.

You are dealt two cards, and the dealer is dealt two cards. 
Then adding the value of your cards, you decide how you want to play.

If you want an additional card from the dealer, it has called a ‘Hit’, or ‘Hit Me’.
If you do not want additional cards, it is called ‘Stand’.

Other options you may take which are only available as a first decision:
‘Double-Down’ – this is where you can increase you bet up to 100% by agreeing to ‘Stand’ after taking only one more card.
‘Split a Pair’- if your first two cards dealt to you are a pair, you may split the pair into two separate hands and place a second bet on the second hand.
‘Surrender’-this is where the house only takes half of the bet, giving the other half back to you.  This is done after the dealer checks for blackjack and is not available in all casinos.

Card values are as follows:
Number cards are counted as their value.
Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are counted as 10
Aces are counted as 1 or 11.

There is a large amount of source material available through books and the internet, which will teach you the rules and betting requirements of blackjack.  However, because the game really is strategic it is even more vital to play and develop a personal strategy.  Whilst you can learn from books and then throw yourself into games such as bingo without having to worry too much about which move to make, and when to make it, experiencing games is vital to build confidence in blackjack.

There are a number of websites that will allow you to play and blackjack free.  This may involve signing up to these sites and depositing some money, but it is well worth it in the end to gain the experience.  In addition, whether wanting to play online, or in real casino’s, learning your blackjack craft is vital before playing with substantial money.

Card values

Suit (hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds) has no significance in blackjack.  The cards from two to ten are counted at their numerical value, and the face cards, king, queen, and jack are all worth ten.  The ace is a special card in blackjack; it can be counted as either one or eleven.  The best possible hand is a blackjack or natural, which is a combination of an ace and a ten value card; casinos pay extra for hands won with a blackjack.

How blackjack is played

An initial bet is required to secure a place in the game.  Depending on the house rules, the players’ cards may be placed face up or face down.  The dealer gives two cards to each player and takes two for himself.  Each player is given the option to “hit”, or to receive one or more extra cards, or “stand” which means to reject any further cards.

When all players have the desired number of cards, the dealer chooses whether to take extra cards or to stand, according to the house rules for dealers.  All cards are then turned face up.  Players with a combined card value of over 21 are declared as “bust” or out of the game, and the player with the highest score, that beats the dealer’s hand, is the winner.