Blackjack
The blackjack tables in land-based casinos are a favorite amongst those who like to play table games, as are the online casino blackjack tables. Although it is expected that players have at least some skill at blackjack before they begin playing in a casino, you will find players of varying degrees of skill around a blackjack table.
Blackjack has been around for some time, although the exact origins of blackjack have not been traced. Written references to the game have been found in short stories that were written around 1601, which means that the game was most likely already played before then. The game at that time was not in the exact same form that it is played today, but the basic idea of reaching a total of 21 has remained the same.
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What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a card game which is also known as Twenty-One, or Vinget-et-un, which is the French translation of 21. It is also sometimes known as Pontoon. The standard game of blackjack is played with regular playing cards, and can be played with between one and eight decks of cards. Most casinos will use either six or eight decks.
Players are dealt two cards, and hope to be dealt a natural blackjack, which would be made up of an Ace, and a ten value card. Face cards are allocated a value of ten in blackjack. Those who do not get a natural blackjack may draw an additional card, or cards, depending on the rules of the blackjack version they are playing. The goal of the game is to get a hand value of either 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over that number. Players who end up with a hand value of more than 21 lose the game.
The name “blackjack” comes from a bonus that used to be offered in US casinos in order to help encourage players to join in a game. A payout of 10 to 1 was given if a player got 21 by having an Ace of spades, and a black Jack, which could have been either the Jack of spades, or of clubs. This bet is no longer offered, but the name stuck.
Blackjack game of luck and skill!
While there are obviously large elements of luck needed to get a good hand in blackjack, skill does make a real difference. The game of blackjack can be played with enough skill to decrease the house edge, and increase the odds of a player winning. While casinos obviously have to have an edge over players, otherwise they could not stay in business, it is certainly possible to play blackjack, both online can offline, and win!
New blackjack players should give themselves every advantage that they can. There is blackjack strategy that can be perfected and implemented. Card counting can be done in a few different methods, some easier and some more complicated, but whichever card counting system is chosen, it can make a difference to your game.
Online Blackjack Bonuses
Online casino players have some great advantages over land-based casino players. One of these advantages is that players can make use of blackjack bonuses. Land-based casino players tend to receive comps when online casinos try to attract them to play. The comps are usually for meals, shows, or perhaps a discount on a hotel room, or even a free hotel room. While all these perks are great, they do not compare to getting free bonuses from online casinos, since those who receive comps from land-based casinos generally tend to spend lots of money on other things while they are on a vacation at a casino resort.
Blackjack Variations and Tournaments
Blackjack can be found in a number of variations, all of which follow the same basic rules, but add various twists and turns to make the games somewhat different, and often having a different house edge because of the different rules. Blackjack variations include Atlantic City Blackjack, Blackjack Bonus, Spanish Blackjack, Blackjack Switch, and Pontoon, amongst others.
Blackjack tournaments can be found in land-based casinos, and in online casinos. Blackjack tournaments usually have the players playing against each other, rather than playing against the house. The blackjack tournament prize is usually the pot.
