Blackjack Tutorial

The game blackjack is probably one of the most popular in the gambling world today. It has a long and interesting history and yet has managed to evolve successfully into the online gambling world. Most players are attracted to blackjack because of the perfect balance of skill, luck and simplicity – making it the number one choice among online gamblers today.

There are many versions of blackjack (also known as vingt-un and pontoon) available in the gambling industry. Most of them, however, are based on what is known as classic blackjack that is played with one deck of cards that are shuffled before the beginning of each game. The game is played against the dealer and the aim is to get as close to the number 21 as possible, without going over that number. The skill element in the game involves deciding whether to stick with the two initially dealt cards or to request another. If the player goes over 21, he or she loses the game.

Blackjack can be played in a variety of ways, whether at traditional casinos or online, in tournaments or alone against the dealer or computer. Perhaps the beauty of blackjack is that, despite its classic simplicity, it is diverse enough to offer something for everyone.

Nobody can pinpoint where or when the game of blackjack actually originated, although there are many theories based on historical accounts through the ages. There are many games in history that require the player to reach a certain number in order to win. Examples of these are ‘seven and a half’, baccarat and quinze. It is safe to say that blackjack, as we know it today evolved out of one or several of these games.

Nobody can pinpoint where or when the game of blackjack actually originated, although there are many theories based on historical accounts through the ages. There are many games in history that require the player to reach a certain number in order to win. Examples of these are ‘seven and a half’, baccarat and quinze. It is safe to say that blackjack, as we know it today evolved out of one or several of these games.

In the 1400’s, when standardized card decks were made available, a huge volume of card games was introduced, especially among the wealthy. Several games that required players to reach a specific number were immensely popular, including ‘seven and a half’ - the first game that caused a player to go bust by going over a certain number.

It wasn’t until the 1700 and 1800’s that the true origin of blackjack was born. This was in the form of the immensely popular French game called ‘Vingt-un’. Although the original game was played quite differently to what is we call blackjack today, there are still enough similarities to declare it as the game on which modern blackjack is based.

Blackjack immigrated to the United States in the late 1800’s and was first recorded in gambling halls across the country by the early 1900’s. The game – then called Twenty One - got off to a slow start in America and to entice players to try it out, casinos offered incentives such as bonuses and payout schemes. One of these was known as the blackjack – players would be paid out a certain bonus if their hand consisted of the Ace of Spades and a Black Jack. The name blackjack thus stuck.

The popularity of blackjack spread quickly after that, only to be spoiled by the anti-gambling legislation that swept the country until the end of the Depression years. During that time period, blackjack players had to take their entertainment underground and the game achieved celebrity status among bootleggers and others. After the Depression, in a bid to boost the economy, the United States government decided to legalize gambling in certain areas, such as Nevada. In no time at all, millions were flocking to the gambling capital of the world to enjoy blackjack and other exciting card games.

In the 1950’s, the mathematician, Dr. Edward Thorpe, developed the concept of card counting, based on a great deal of publicity surrounding the creation of blackjack’s basic strategy. This strategy incorporated the use of cue cards, which outlined the ultimate moves and card combinations in the game. In his book, “Beat the Dealer”, Thorpe reiterated several of the best strategies available in blackjack, including card counting. Many famous card counters of the time were responsible for making huge wins in casinos, based on this method.

In a bid to counter card counting methods, casinos adopted several steps such as multi-deck play, shuffling before each game, video surveillance, computer analysis and – the old trick – free drinks.

When the internet gambling industry burst onto the scene in the 1990’s, it came as no surprise that blackjack was one of the first games to evolve online. Thanks to the internet, blackjack was suddenly and instantly available to millions of players who were after an exciting game. Players did not need to make an effort to find their way to a physical location and could now rely instead on remote gambling as a solution. Online blackjack differs slightly to traditional blackjack due to the introduction of the element of bonuses and specific house rules that change from site to site. However, the basic rules and exciting elements remain the same and the sky is the limit when we consider the future of blackjack.

Knowledge is power and nothing is more important than understanding the terminology that is commonly associated with blackjack. We outline some of the more popular phrases in the game:

Anchor: The last person to the dealer’s right.

Basic Strategy: A series of playing processes that the player can memorize as a simple method.

Blackjack: When the first two dealt cards make up the numbers 21.

Breaking Hand: A hand that exceeds 21 with one card.

Cut: When the player splits the deck of cards to create another hand.

Double Down: A bet that essentially doubles the original bet (only with a one-card hit).

Draw: To request additional cards from the dealer.

Face Cards: Any card in the pack with a ‘face’ ie. King, Queen and Jack.

Face Down Game: A version of blackjack where one card is dealt face up and the other face down.

Face Up Game: A version of blackjack where both cards are dealt facing up.

Hard Hand: A hand that doesn’t consist of an ace, or an ace that is valued at one.

Hit: To request an additional card from the dealer.

Hole Card: The dealer’s card that is facing down.

Insurance: The option for the player to take an extra side bet that protects him or her from the dealer getting a blackjack. Not available in all versions of the game.

Natural: A winning hand combination that totals 21.

Pat: A hand that totals between 17 and 21.

Press: To increase the amount of the bet.

Push: When the dealer and player end up with the same card total.

Soft Hand: A hand of cards that include an Ace that can be counted as 11 or 1.

Stand: The choice not to take any more cards in the game.

Stiff Hand: A hand that has little or no chance of winning.

Surrender: A move in blackjack that allows that player to give up on his or her hand, while only losing half the bet in the process.

Up Card: The dealer’s first card that is dealt face up.

[ Continue to part 2 of this Blackjack Guide ]