Do you know the blackjack origins? Blackjack is one of the world’s most popular casino games. To play blackjack, you must beat the dealer with a hand equal to 21 or as close to this total as possible.
If you win, the dealer pays 1:1 for a standard hand and 3:2 for a winning hand.
In this article, we reveal everything you need to know to come to terms with the fascinating world of blackjack, showing the rules, variations, and history of this much-loved casino table game.
What is Blackjack?
This is a classic card game that has been played for centuries. The objective in the game is to beat the dealer with a hand equal to or as close to 21 as possible.
You get two initial cards from the dealer and can elect to hit and take another card or stand as the game progresses. If you hit, you receive another card, but if you stand, you are happy with the cards you have been dealt.
Every number card in these games takes its face value. Ace can be worth 1 or 11, and picture cards are all worth 10. The best hand you can receive via the initial deal is an ace + 10 or picture card, known as blackjack.
The key thing to remember when playing this game is not to go over 21, as this leads you to go bust and means the dealer automatically wins.
When you’re happy to stand on your total, it’s the dealer’s turn to act to see if they can beat your score without going bust.
History of Blackjack
Historians believe that the game can be traced back to the start of the 1700s. It was probably first played in France, known as “Vingt-et-un,” which translates to “twenty-one” in English.
Legend has it that the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and King Louis XV were avid players.
Thanks to the conquests of French colonists, the game made its way to North American shores in the 1800s. It was particularly popular on the streets of New Orleans and by the 1820s, it was played at legal gambling venues in the city.
When it arrived in America, the game was different from what we know and love today. There were restrictions on what the dealer could do when the game was in play.
The name of the game, “blackjack,” comes from the Klondike gold rush. It was a colloquial way of referring to a specific type of ore that indicated the potential presence of gold and silver deposits at a site.
As the game was played by miners and a winning hand was similar to the thrill of spotting potential gold deposits, blackjack was the name given for winning hands in the game that had been known simply as “21” up to this time.
Outside of New Orleans, American casino owners started offering a 10:1 payout if anyone won a hand with an ace of spades, which helped the game spread throughout the continent.
Reviewing Popular Blackjack Variations
Today, you can enjoy numerous exciting online blackjack variation games at casinos and brick-and-mortar venues. Among the most popular variants are:
American Blackjack
Sometimes referred to as classic blackjack and regarded as the original blackjack game, this variant is the most played at online casinos. In the American version, the dealer receives their hole card (the face-down card) before the player makes any decisions regarding their hand. Standard wins pay 1:1, and blackjack pays 3:2.
Blackjack Switch
This exciting game allows you to play two hands simultaneously. Before the game ends, you can switch the second cards dealt in both hands to try to make the best possible hand and beat the dealer.
Blackjack Perfect Pairs
Though it is a super simple game, some variants have side bets that you can place to crank things up a notch. One such game is Perfect Pairs, where you can bet whether your first two cards will be a pair. In this game, you can also bet on 21+3 and a few other side bets.
Atlantic City Blackjack
One of the most popular variants in the United States, Atlantic City Blackjack is known for its super high RTP (99.55%) and the fact that you can double down on any two cards.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack titles are extremely popular at online casinos. These games resemble the original game in brick-and-mortar casinos, letting you interact with a real-life dealer as you play from the comfort of your own home. Studios like Evolution Gaming offer excellent HD live dealer blackjack games.
Basic Rules of Blackjack
To play online, you need to understand the basic rules. Though they differ slightly from game to game, the following blackjack rules will help you get started:
- The objective in any game is to form a hand equal to or as close to 21 as possible to beat the dealer.
- All number cards retain face value, while picture cards are worth 10. Ace can be worth 1 or 11.
- The dealer gives two cards to each player at the table, facing up. They also deal two cards for their hand, one face up and one face down.
- Considering the dealer’s face-up card alongside the cards in your hand, decide whether to:
Stand
Remain with the hand that you have been dealt.
Hit
Receive another card from the dealer. You can hit as many times as you like if your cards don’t total more than 21.
Double down
Double your wager to receive just one more card from the dealer.
Split
If you receive a pair, you can split your hand in 2. This requires a subsequent bet of the same value as your initial stake, and you now play two hands instead of one.
- When you decide to stand, the dealer will reveal their second card.
- In many games, the dealer stands on 17, but this might not be a rule in every variant you play.
- The game plays out until the dealer beats the hand that you stood on or goes bust.
- If you beat the dealer with a regular hand, you win a payout of 1:1. If you beat the dealer with blackjack, you win a payout of 3:2.
Strategies for Winning at Blackjack
It makes sense to develop an essential basic strategy to play blackjack online with a chance of winning. Here are some things to bear in mind:
Always consider the dealer’s face-up card
This card is a good indication of the hand they are likely to produce. If it’s a ten or picture card, there’s a chance they will land blackjack. You should weigh up your hand against the dealer’s showing card before deciding what to do next.
Check the game-specific blackjack rules
As mentioned above, each game has rules that may deviate slightly from the norm. You should check things like how many times you can double down, when the dealer needs to stand, and whether there are limits on splitting your cards.
Consider side bets
Side bets can be a viable way to increase your blackjack table winnings. When you play a blackjack game online, you will see side bets like insurance, 21+3, and perfect pairs, which can all increase your win amount. Remember that side bets are less likely to win, so manage your bankroll accordingly.
Practice card counting
In any online blackjack game, where a single deck of cards is used, you can count cards to increase your winning chances. It’s not illegal to count cards, but it’s not easy, either. So, if you want to take this approach, consider playing free blackjack games first before switching to real-money titles.
Blackjack in Popular Culture
Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote) was the first known person to mention the game of 21 in written form sometime in the 17th century. Casino play has progressed rapidly since then, and the game has permeated culture around the world.
The hit 2008 movie 21 is a heist tale starring Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth. In it, a team of MIT mathematicians travels to Las Vegas to try to beat the casino.
Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise are stars in Rain Man, the 1998 movie in which Hoffman brilliantly counts cards at Caesars Palace Casino in Las Vegas.
Ultimately, there are many portrayals of blackjack players and games in popular culture, but feel free to grab a bag of popcorn and tune into the above two films to whet your appetite for this brilliant game.
How to Play Blackjack Online
You can play online blackjack at EVO, one of the leading online casinos for classic table games. Online blackjack has numerous advantages over playing at a land-based casino.
When you play blackjack online, you can play anywhere at any time. You don’t need to suit up and travel to a brick-and-mortar venue.
Another great thing about online blackjack is that you can play numerous variants in the same place, ranging from RNG games like American Blackjack to live dealer variants.
To play online blackjack, players should follow the prompts to create an account at EVO in minutes. You can then load up your account with a real money deposit to play your favorite games, no matter where you are.
Blackjack Games: Key Takeaways
You now have all the information you need to play. Before settling on a game, consider the numerous variants available to you and read the rules so you know what to expect.
If you want to practice before playing for cash, free blackjack games are a great option and enable you to hone your approach and strategy.
You can then play online blackjack at any time of the day or night for your chance to win some real money as you take on the dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackjack
How do you play blackjack?
To play, create an account at our online casino, make a real money deposit, and take on the dealer.
Is blackjack the same as 21?
Yes, it is known in some parts of the world as 21. It is the same game but known by a different name.
Is blackjack an easy game?
Yes, it is one of the easiest casino games to play. Though strategy and luck are required, you can enjoy online blackjack as a beginner with little gameplay experience.
Is blackjack all skill?
No, to win blackjack, you need both luck and strategy. Luck is required because of the cards drawn, and strategy is required as you need to know when to stand, hit, split, or double down.