Casino Game: Blackjack

Blackjack, also known as Twenty-One, is one of the classic casino card games. Played against the house, the aim is to achieve a hand that adds up to twenty-one, with the closest to this score winning if neither player actually achieves it. It is one of the most commonly played card games in casinos throughout the world as with a limited house advantage tit offers a great chance to actually take money from the house if you are skilful enough. The house does have an inbuilt advantage though, as with all casino games, and this lies in the fact that if a player busts, i.e. goes over twenty-one, then the house wins regardless of whether the dealer subsequently busts too. If played correctly though the house edge is statistically only about 1%, which is very favourable compared with most other casino games.

Rules

The basic premise of the game is very simple to understand, with the aim being to have a hand that adds up to twenty-one. However there are many rules which can affect your betting strategy and have an impact on the house advantage so it is definitely worth familiarising yourself with the rules that are in use in the casino.

Variations

There are many variations of blackjack which can be played in casino sites but the name Blackjack or Twenty-One is always used. However, as the rule variations will always have a bearing on the house edge, it’s always a good idea to check which rules are being used before playing. Some common rule variations include changing the number of decks being used, with a higher number of decks increasing the house advantage. Other rules which can vary between casinos might include whether the house has to hit or stand when they reach seventeen, or whether it is possible to surrender which is opting out of the round after the initial two cards are dealt, usually at a cost of half your bet. One rule you should definitely try to avoid is that the dealer wins when there is a tie as this increases the house advantage dramatically.

Strategies

Blackjack strategies are based on the mathematical probability of reaching twenty-one given your initial two cards. It is possible to memorise the correct play from every possible two-card hand that you can be dealt initially, and this is how most good blackjack players start. Some easier strategies are based solely on the value of your hand but, if you can invest the time to learn them, the strategies based on the composition of your hand offer a better chance of winning.

History

The origins of the game are unknown, but a version of it was mentioned in the writings of the great Spanish writer Cervantes in the early 17th century. It was certainly played in France by about the year 1700 where it was called Vingt-et-un, the French for twenty-one. Some people believe it may be much older, going back to Roman or ancient Chinese times but there is no unambiguous evidence for it. What we know for certain is that it was very popular in Europe from the 17th century onwards. It spread to North America with French colonists and much later, after the legalising of gambling in Nevada in 1931, was to become one of the most popular games in American casinos. 

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