Blackjack is one of the most iconic and popular casino games of all time. In fact, it’s rare that you’ll enter a land-based or online casino without seeing at least one Blackjack table in the modern-day.
There are plenty of online Blackjack games offered by Betfair, for example, for you to try your chances at whenever you fancy. Or, you could give the game a go at your local land-based venue. Either way, as one of the most classic casino games there is, you’ll no doubt want to brush up on your knowledge and learn basic Blackjack strategy so you can get feeling like a pro in no time!
Read on to find out more.
A brief history
Various games with similarities to modern-day Blackjack have appeared all throughout history, but it’s believed that the version we know and love today originated in French casinos around 1700.
This primitive version was known as Vingt-et-Un, which translates to Twenty-One. It is said that Twenty-One was derived from other popular card games of the time, like Chemin de Fer, and was played in the French Royal Court during the reign of King Louis XV.
From France, the game expanded throughout Europe before landing on North American shores in the 18th century. In 1820, it could be found at the first legalised gaming halls in New Orleans.
As the game rose in popularity, it became a staple all throughout the world, particularly in Nevada – the home of the Las Vegas Strip – where it developed the name Blackjack.
How to play
Playing Blackjack is actually fairly straightforward, and with one of the lowest house edges in all of the casino, it’s clear why this game remains a firm favourite.
Whether you play online or at a land-based venue, the aim remains the same – to beat the dealer with a value of – or as close to – 21 as possible, without going bust (going over).
Once you’ve placed your wager, the dealer will start off by dealing a card face-up to each player, clockwise, with one face-down to themselves. Then everyone will be dealt a second card, face-up, including the dealer.
The other players won’t impact you in the game, as it’s purely between you and the dealer.
Next, you’ll want to add up the current value of the cards in your hand – Aces are worth either one or 11, depending on which best suits your gameplay, Kings, Queens and Jacks are worth 10, and all other numbered cards stand at their face value.
You’ll need to decide whether you want to ‘double down’ and double your bet (usually if you have a particularly good hand), ‘split’, and have two hands in play, ‘stand’ with your current card value, ‘fold’ and exit the game with half your wager returned, or ‘hit’ and be dealt another card.
The winner will be who, out of you or the dealer, has the value closest to, or exactly 21, in their hand.
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With your newfound knowledge, do you think you’ll be giving the race to 21 a go and trying your chances at Blackjack at your local or online casino?
