Blackjack is one of the oldest and most popular
casinos games in the world. The game was founded hundreds of years ago, but there are no firm details as to how the game came about. The best guess we have is that the game originated in Spain, as the game is noted in a book by the author Miguel de Cervantes (who actually penned the classic book Don Quixote).
Over the decades, Blackjack has proven to be very popular around the world, as the game mixes in strategy elements alongside pure luck to become the game that everybody seems to know how to play, but few have mastered.
European Blackjack may have originated back in the Old World, but it has effectively spread to gaming houses and casinos throughout the globe, and can be found at many casinos even in America. The game is nearly identical to its Vegas brother, save for the fact that players can only split a Hard 9, 10, or 11.
What does Hard mean, you ask? Hard in Blackjack simply means that there is no Ace involved in your hand. If there is an Ace, it would be called a Soft Hand.
While playing Blackjack you will see some terms pop up from time to time. Below are a list of common terms, and how they will apply to your game.
Dealing- Depending on the type of game you are playing, the dealer will generally deal out cards face up or one up and one down to the players on the table as well as himself. This is the starting out point for all hands of Blackjack.
Blackjack- If you have a natural 21 with those first two cards (an Ace and a 10, Jack, Queen, or King), you have a Blackjack and win instantly (unless the dealer also has a natural Blackjack, in which case you push). Blackjacks usually result in a 3:2 payment, although some tables pay out 6:5.
Hit and Stand- Requesting a Hit from a dealer means you want another card. The dealer will do so when you press the hit button in the game. Standing is when you have decided you are as close as you want to be to 21 and don’t want any more hands. Standing will result in the next player going to their turn.
Double Down- If you have a hand where you think you will only need one more card and want to double your bet, you can Double Down. Doubling Down means you get one more card but get to double your money. This is especially handy when you have a 10 or 11 in your hand. You generally cannot Double Down after hitting,.
Splitting- If you end up with two identical cards, you are able to Split your hand by doubling your bet. This will allow you to get two new cards (one for each original card), where you can possibly put yourself in a better position to win.
Insurance- Insurance bets are made when the Dealer is showing an Ace in their hand. Players can put down 50% of their bet total as insurance, and if the Dealer has a Blackjack, then the original stake is not lost. Insurance is often considered to be a bad deal on behalf of the player, as it adds to the house edge.