Blackjack
Blackjack history
The history of blackjack goes back to medieval Europe. According to one version, blackjack originated in the 15th century in Italy under the name Trentuno, where the player had to score 31 points instead of 21 to win. According to another version, in the 17th century in France, there was a game called Vingt et Un, which literally translated as 20 to 1 but the rules were different. Therefore, we will consider that blackjack is a synthesis of two ancient European games.
Blackjack game basics and rules
Blackjack is a card game based on probability, the aim of which is to outplay the dealer by getting as close as possible to 21 points, but no more. It should be noted right away that blackjack can be played from 1 to 7 players, and the dealer. The game begins with each player making a bet, then two cards are dealt from the shoe to each player and the dealer. A shoe usually has 1 to 8 52-card decks. When dealing, the cards of the players are always open, and the dealer will have one card closed, and the second open. Now about how the combinations are counted. Cards from 2 to 10 give the number of points according to their face value. Jack, queen and king give ten points each. An ace can be equal to 11 points, or if the sum of points is more than 21, then the ace in this case will be valued at one point. If an ace in hand counts as 11 points, then such a combination is called soft, but if an ace counts as 1 point, then this combination is called hard. In general, a combination of an ace and a queen, or an ace and a jack, or an ace and a king is called blackjack, if the player or dealer has such a combination, then he wins.
Card |
Meaning |
Ace in soft hands |
1 |
Ace in hard hands |
11 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
Jack |
10 |
Queen |
10 |
King |
10 |
Draw and insurance in blackjack
If, after the distribution, the player has a combination of an ace and a card with a pattern, that is, the player has blackjack, then the player wins, if the dealer has a losing combination, since if the player and the dealer have blackjack, then a draw is declared.
If the dealer's up card after the deal is an ace, he offers insurance to the players. Insurance or insurance bet is equal to half of the initial bet, if the dealer has a blackjack, then the player will be returned two times the insurance bet, thus the player will remain with his own. If the player has blackjack, and the dealer has an open ace or queen, king or jack, then the dealer can offer an insurance bet on a draw, the result will be the same in case of a draw, the player will remain with his own.
Hit and stand
These positions in blackjack are provided for situations when neither the player nor the dealer has a blackjack combination. If the player is not satisfied with his combination of two cards, then he chooses a hit, and the dealer gives him the third card. If the sum of the points of the three cards exceeds 21, then the player loses and loses his bet. The player can take new cards as many times as he likes, as long as there is no bust. As soon as the player is satisfied with his combination of cards, he chooses a stand, no more cards are issued to him and the number of points becomes final. After the player has made a choice in favor of the stand, the dealer opens his second card. If the total of the dealer's cards is less than or equal to 16, then he takes one more card. If the sum of points is more than 17, then the dealer cannot take a new card. If the dealer busts, then the players win. Otherwise, the outcome of the game is determined by the calculation of the final number of points, and the victory is due to the one who has more of them.
Split and double
Let's talk about additional player options after receiving the first two cards - split and double. Split is a player's ability to split his cards into two hands, if he got two identical cards, and get one more card in each hand, while the player must make another bet equal to the first. Sometimes it happens that the second distribution brings the player the same cards, in this case the player can again use the split. A double is a player's ability to take a third card. At the same time, doubling his bet, after the player receives the third card, he can no longer take cards, is used if the player is confident in winning and wants to maximize his winnings.
Blackjack variations
Since you already know the basics of blackjack, we would like to briefly introduce you to the varieties of blackjack and tell you about the differences.
Blackjack Pontoon is essentially the same blackjack, only the combination is called blackjack in the classic version, here it is called pontoon, and is paid at a rate of 2 to 1. The second combination is a five-card trick - a combination of five cards, the sum of which does not exceed 21, the win is 2 to 1. Otherwise, this is classic blackjack, only with increased winnings. If you meet, then be sure to play.
All-In Blackjack is also another variation of the classic with enhanced winning opportunities. In this version, if after the player busted, they can replace the third card, but in return, he loses half the bet.
Caribbean blackjack is a blackjack in which the key point is that it increases the house edge, since in this game, if there is a draw, the player's bet is burned. Don't mess with this junk.
Blackjack Switch - as the name implies, this is blackjack with the ability to exchange the second card from the hand. Another feature of this game is the ability to win if your total points is 22. A good choice, the chances of winning are much higher than in other options.
How to play online blackjack for real money
So, you have read the rules and want to hit the jackpot in online blackjack. There is nothing easier. To do this, you will need to create an account at the casino and make a deposit there. Creating an account is the first step towards playing for real money. Go to the casino website, go to the Sign Up field, enter your email address, create a username and password, duplicate the password, and you can say that your account has been created. After that, a registration confirmation letter will be sent to your mail, you do not need to answer it, but you just need to follow the link in the letter, this link will take you to the page of your casino account. On the account page, you will be interested in the deposit section, in which you need to select your preferred payment system and activate the welcome bonus. Then, in your payment system, make a transfer to a casino deposit, wait for the transfer, and after that you will be able to play blackjack for real money.
Blackjack Payouts
In this section, we have prepared for you a special table with the winnings in both classic blackjack and its popular variations.
Game Combination |
Description |
Win |
Blackjack |
The sum of the points of the two cards is 21 |
3:2 |
Pontoon (blackjack pontoon) |
The sum of the points of the two cards is 21 |
2:1 |
Five card trick (pontoon blackjack) |
The sum of five cards does not exceed 21 |
2:1 |
Blackjack (blackjack switch) |
The sum of points of two cards is 21 or 22 |
3:2 |
Player's usual win |
The sum of the player's points is greater than the sum of the dealer's points, but less than 21 |
1:1 |
Draw |
The sum of the player's points is equal to the sum of the dealer's points |
With their own, the bet is returned |
Draw (Caribbean Blackjack) |
The sum of the player's points is equal to the sum of the dealer's points |
The player loses the bet |
The player decided to give up |
|
Half bet refund |
Insurance |
Player's insurance if the dealer's first card is an ace |
If the dealer has blackjack, then with his own, if not, then the player loses the bet |
How to play free blackjack for fun
Now any self-respecting casino provides players with a training demo version of blackjack, which you can play without even creating an account.
Mobile blackjack
Now it is not surprising that you can play blackjack on any mobile device. Precisely on any. If you have a brand new iPhone, then just install the casino application on your gadget and play blackjack anywhere. If you have an old android from 2005, then it doesn’t matter either, you can always play blackjack in your favorite casino in the instant play mode, that is, in the browser, the beauty of this mode is that you don’t have to download any application.
Blackjack strategies.
There are dozens of blackjack betting strategies throughout its 600-year history, but they are all divided into two types: positive and negative.
Very often you can hear how there are disputes among players about which blackjack strategy is better than leboucher or martingale, and rarely anyone remembers a flat strategy. In fact, the benefits of using these strategies are illusory, because playing in a casino, especially blackjack, is a game with a negative amount, so the effectiveness of using a particular strategy is a matter of your faith and beliefs, and not mathematics and statistics.
Blackjack odds
Blackjack is a game of chances. Getting one or another combination has different chances. Below we provide a table with the chances of collecting a particular combination.
Combination |
Payment |
Probability |
Blackjack (1 deck) |
3:2 |
1,81 % |
Blackjack (8 decks) |
3:2 |
1,77 % |
Pontoon (1 deck) |
2:1 |
1,81 % |
Pontoon (8 decks) |
2:1 |
1,77 % |
Blackjack switch (1 deck) |
3:2 |
2,26 % |
Blackjack switch (8 decks) |
3:2 |
2,35 % |
Top Online Blackjack Providers
In this section, we will only briefly go over the developers of online blackjack, because this game is so widespread that all types and variations, as well as products from different providers, cannot be reviewed in this material. It is not possible to single out someone special.
Pros and cons of playing blackjack.
pros
Low entry threshold
Simple Rules
Wide range of bets
It is possible to exit the game with minimal losses
Minuses
A lot of information garbage about card counting, in connection with this, an unrealistic idea of \u200b\u200bthe possibility of winning.
There are many analogues of blackjack, you need to carefully read the rules, there are blackjack variants that you don’t need to play at all, for example, Caribbean.
FAQ
No, you can't, free play mode is provided only for versions without a live dealer.
Unfortunately no. The fact is that card counting methods work if there is one deck in the shoe, in an online casino (and in many land-based ones) at the moment the shoe consists of 8 decks.
We recommend that you learn how to play classic blackjack first and only then look for alternatives with modified rules. For the more experienced, we recommend that you take another look at the table with the odds of combinations and go to play either blackjack switch or blackjack pontoon.
No, everyone who knows the rules of the game can play blackjack.
For the reason that it has the lowest chances of winning.