Blackjack
Blackjack is a universal game of choice because its rules are easy to follow and the game is simple and exciting. Its advantage over roulette and slot machines is that it is less of a game of chance and is based more on mathematical rationality. However, knowing Blackjack strategy can be very advantageous. Using a regular pack of fifty two cards the players rather than compete with each other compete with the dealer.

There are a number of theories regarding the origin of the gambling game - Blackjack. One such theory points to the “twenty-one” game played in French casinos at the beginning of the eighteenth century. However, one hundred years later the game was being played in American casinos. It seems that the name owes its origin to the fact that a player holding the first two cards of a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades received a bonus payment. Hence the name Blackjack comprised the two components of a black suit of spades together with a winning Jack card.

Card Values and Objective
In Blackjack you calculate your card score by counting the ten-card, King, Queen and Jack at 10 points; all other cards with numbers from 2 to 9 maintain identical points. The Ace can either be 11 or 1.

The aim is to obtain 21 points or as close as possible to 21 without going bust. Going bust means that you have exceeded 21 and consequently have immediately lost. If your score is higher than the dealer, and under 21, then you win. Calculate your total by the above-given score. If your score is identical to the dealer’s and totals 17 or higher neither of you win and you can play again. A natural blackjack means that your first two cards amount to 21, that is one card is an ace and the other a 10 point card, and you now win the deposit back with an additional 50% of the deposit sum. A blackjack always wins over a 21 point-score comprising three or more cards.

How to Play Blackjack
Up to seven players can participate in Blackjack. After each player has wagered, the dealer deals one card in turn to each player always leaving himself to last, and then deals a second card in the same order placing his last card face down. As you receive each new card, you calculate your score; weigh up your chances to improve your score by taking an additional card facing the risk of going bust. Your decision and intuition determine whether or not to settle for keeping the number of cards in hand and declining further cards, or taking a chance on another card.

Only after all the other players have decided not to accept more cards the dealer plays by turning over his cards and showing his hand. The dealer is bound by a number of rules: he is only free to deal himself more cards if his total is under 17, in fact he is obliged to continue taking cards. When he totals 17 or any number above seventeen he is obliged to cease drawing more cards. At this stage the player with the highest number to 21 wins, however if the dealer goes bust then all the other players win.

The Three Winning Options

Split Winning Option
This option allows you to split your hand if your first two dealt cards are of identical value. To play two hands you now place a bet identical to your first wager. You then continue to draw cards and add to both hands. If you are dealt two aces, then they should be split. However on splitting two aces you are permitted to add only one card to each hand. A total of 21 with a split ace is not considered as blackjack but simply a score of 21. It is not recommended to split cards with a ten-value such as a king. Each casino has its own rules: there are rules on sub-splitting which you should be aware of, such as if you are dealt a seven directly after having already split two sevens, you can usually split again creating a third hand.

Double Winning Option
This option, also called doubling down, enables you to add to your original bet up to and including doubling it. This decision, however, can only be made after being dealt the first two cards when you feel that an additional card will give you victory over the dealer. However, the drawback is that doubling permits you to receive only one additional card.
Thus if your first two cards give you a total of eleven you can perhaps wager that you’ll get dealt a ten-value card. Once again doubling rules are contingent on the casino and it’s worth knowing the rules. Some casinos permit it on any first two card totals, while others hold out for specific totals such as ten. Some casinos only permit non-split hands while others demand doubling after splitting the hand.

Insurance Winning Option
This option enables you to insure yourself against the dealer’s likely blackjack. To purchase this security you have to hand over 50% of your bet by clicking on the Insurance button. If you forecasted correctly and the dealer does hold blackjack your insurance pays you two to one on your insurance deposit. However, you lose your insurance wager if you have forecasted wrongly and the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack.

Where to play Blackjack online?
Visit our Best Blackjack Casinos page to find out which are the best online casinos for Blackjack.