Online Blackjack Guide

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Introduction to Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games and players from all over the world play it daily in casinos online. The best part of this game is that you can become a better player and win more by learning strategy and by practice. The more you play the better you get and meanwhile you are having a lot of fun. Basic blackjack demands that you beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 with two cards as possible. If you get more than 21 you lose the game. There are variations of blackjack with special rules that makes it possible to play with several hands and make additional bets.

History of Blackjack

Sometimes you will see that blackjack is called 21, which is also the goal of the game (to hit 21 points but not more). Many believe that the game originated in France since there was a game very similar to blackjack played by the French in the 17th century. Their game was called Vingt-et-Un which in French means 21. There were other similar card games in Europe but this version is the one that has the same original game plot as modern blackjack. After the French Revolution, blackjack migrated to the US where it quickly gained a lot of popularity.

The game was thriving in America till the beginning of the 1900’s when it was outlawed and moved underground. The popularity never faded and when gambling became legal and Las Vegas opened up casinos people were ready to play it openly with much joy. Since then a lot of effort and money has gone into this classic casino game and the professional blackjack players have become famous all over their world for their mathematical skills and great blackjack gaming. Card counting proved that a player with a logical mind could beat the casino by keeping track of the cards in blackjack. Today it is more difficult to win by using a simple card counting method but it is still something that can make the game easier to manage and it is definitely in use all over the world.

Rules for Blackjack

The basic rules of blackjack are always the same. You get two cards and face a dealer. There might be more players around the table but they are not playing against you, only against the dealer. The object of the game is to get a hand with two cards that are as close to 21 as possible. Cards 1-10 are worth what’s printed on them and the Knight, Queen and King are worth 10 points. The Ace can be counted as 1 or 11. If a player manages to get 21 points with the first two cards it is called a Blackjack and it is a winner. Should the dealer also get a Blackjack it is counted as a tie and nobody wins.

With special rules in blackjack you can split a hand and make two new hands and maybe even more (depending on the specific version). Making more hands with good cards can be a good idea but this also means that the rules regarding a 21 will change. In most cases a 21 after a split is not counted as a real Blackjack and the dealer will win if he gets one. Blackjack rules are not complicated but each game has its own specific rules that you must understand before you start playing for real.

General Strategy

In blackjack you can win more often if you learn by your mistakes and apply some basic blackjack strategy to your games. What you have to decide is if you want to draw another card or stand on the hand you have. You can also split your hand and increase your bet by a double down but to play with these features you must really know your blackjack well. To get the hang of blackjack strategy you should decide which type of blackjack you want to play and then learn the basics by reading up a bit on the game. After this you can practice the game in free versions online without risking your own money.

The best way to become a skilled blackjack player is to play a lot and this is something you can do safely in free games. You can also enjoy the benefits of blackjack tournaments. Blackjack tournaments let you compete against other players and look forward to a bigger prize sum. You can get a free go in a blackjack tournament as a blackjack bonus or pay for the entrance. No matter what type of blackjack you choose to play it is always smart to use blackjack bonuses to get more games for your money. Playing blackjack is a lot of fun and every game gives you more knowledge to use in the next one!