How to Play Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular and exciting card games casinos have to offer. The game owes its tremendous popularity to the mix of luck with elements of skill. It is generally believed that the first people who invented and learned how to play Blackjack were the Frenchmen. Since the game's very inception and until the modern times, Blackjack tables have always been among the most crowded ones in any gaming facility, whether online or traditional.

Blackjack's history:

According to a common belief, the game initially appeared in the 17th century France, with the first records referring to it as 'vingt-et-un' (twenty and one). However, much like with many other casino games, the precise origins of Blackjack are impossible to trace. Interestingly enough, over the years, the game received different names in different parts of the world. In Russia, for instance, it is called 'Ochko.' The English name 'Blackjack' came from a no-longer-practiced early bet that paid 10 to 1 if a player was dealt a Jack or Ace of Spades as the first two cards. Soon after the French revolution, Blackjack migrated to the United States and gained popularity in a highly rapid pace. The rest, as they say, is history...

How to play Blackjack - the basics:

Every Blackjack player receives two cards. The highest total hand wins the game as long as it does not exceed 21. In Blackjack, cards two through ten are worth their face value, while face cards (jack, queen, king) are worth ten. An Ace is worth either 1 or 11, whichever suits the player best. A hand featuring a higher total than 21 is called 'busted.' The goal of every Blackjack player is to beat the dealer by making the highest, unbusted hand. Remember, if a player busts, he loses, even if the dealer also happens to bust. A situation in which both the player and the dealer have an equal hand value, is called a 'push.' In such a case, neither the player nor the dealer win the hand.

Blackjack's code of conduct:

There is so much more to the game than just knowing how to play Blackjack. The game of Blackjack actually boasts its own code of conduct that players are required to follow. For example, a player who is not very familiar with the rules of Blackjack should only join a table where there are no other players. Lack of experience is not an important enough reason to hold up the game. Another common example of Blackjack etiquette is tipping the dealer. One popular way to tip the dealer is by making a bet on his behalf. All a player has to do is place an additional bet outside of his betting circle, in the dealer's direction. In general terms, although Blackjack's code of conduct is not really a 'must,' a player who wants to be welcome at a casino of his choice should definitely take it into consideration during play.

Blackjack is actually much more elaborate than people tend to think. Although the game does involve a significant luck factor, it also requires players to acquire certain skills and experience in order to be victorious. Just learning how to play Blackjack is not enough. A player with winning aspirations must become familiar with basic blackjack strategies as well. That's the only way to win!