Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world. It’s so popular that it has inspired many other games and variations of itself, including Spanish 21, European Blackjack and Pontoon. But what makes this skill based card game so special? Let’s take a look at its history, variation and benefits!
History of blackjack
Blackjack has been around for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to 15th century France, where the game was called “vingt-et-un” or “twenty-one”. The name Blackjack comes from an American card dealer who named it after his favorite horse in the 1920s.
By far, blackjack has become one of the most popular casino games and is second only to slot machines as a revenue generator in casinos. In fact, during 2015 alone—the last year on record – it generated almost $80 billion worldwide!
This wasn’t always so: at one time, blackjack was considered too risky for most players because dealers had more power than players did (they had access to an extra card). That changed when casinos started shuffling cards differently so that neither player nor dealer knew what their next hand would be until all cards were dealt out face up on the table. This meant that even if you had a bad hand like a low pair (two 7s), there was still hope that you could draw another high number (an Ace) which would make your hand beat out even better ones like three 10s or four 2s/3s combined together into one pile with no other high numbers attached; this is known as “blackjack” because hitting 21 points exactly means winning both bets placed against each other by yourself and then doubling your money instantly!
Game Variations
There are many variations of this game, but the most popular is what is known as Atlantic City or Vegas Blackjack. Some other variations include Spanish 21 and two new versions called Pontoon and Double Exposure Blackjack.
Basic rules
Basic rules are fairly simple. Two to eight players sit around a table, and the dealer deals each player two cards face-down. The dealer has a face-up card and a second card dealt facedown.
After looking at their own cards, players can choose to do any of the following:
- draw another card
- take no more cards
- split your hand into two hands
- double your bet
If you go over 21, you will go bust and lose your bet. If not, you will win according to the total value of your hand compared with that held by the dealer.
Advantages of the game
Did you know that blackjack is the most popular card game in the world? Yes, this is true and it is not surprising. If you’re new to this game, or board games in general, here are a few reasons why you should give this timeless classic a try:
It’s easy to learn
The game has only 6 rules. Once you know these rules and understand how they affect each other, it’s time for some practice! Try our free blackjack simulator and practice with different strategies until you find one that works best for your needs before heading out into Vegas or Atlantic City.
The house advantage is small
The house advantage is small compared with other casino games like craps or roulette. The average player has about a 50/50 chance of winning each hand (we do not take bonuses into account now), so just by having more money than necessary on hand when playing well can help give yourself an advantage over time compared with those who don’t put much thought into strategy at all.
You can play online
You can play online whenever suits your schedule without having to leave home; this makes it ideal if there aren’t any casinos nearby where friends hang out regularly.
Brain training
Blackjack requires the ability to count cards, helping you to keep your brain active while playing. At the same time, this game is quite fun and does not feel like work!
[…] Blackjack is perhaps the king of casino games that require certain skills. Here your goal is to get as close as possible to 21 points without busting. Whoever has the most points at the end wins the hand. There is an element of strategy involved in deciding when to hit and when to stand. […]