Play Online Blackjack Games for Free - PokerStars Casino Played with four 52-card decks, the dealer receives a hole card and must automatically check for Blackjack if their open card is an ace or ten-value card. Dealers must stand on Soft 17. Not sure which game is your favorite? Try them for free at the PokerStars Casino play-money tables! You can also play Blackjack (including Multi-Player) and Roulette games on your iOS or Android device, using the PokerStars Casino Mobile app . If you have any questions about Blackjack games at PokerStars Casino, contact Support . Blackjack at PokerStars Casino Anatomy of Blackjack Card Values and Basic Strategy (Hard & Soft Hands) In Blackjack all card values are as you would understand them in general. Cards 2-10 are of value two to ten. Jack, queen and king are of value ten, and ace is valued at one or eleven. Hard Hand – any two card total that does not include an ace. A hard hand is defined as such because the total of both cards includes the risk of a bust.

So whereas technically a two and three (equalling five) is a hard hand by definition, during the game it is soft because there is no risk of a bust regardless of what card you hit on next. Soft Hand – any two card total involving an ace. A soft hand means there is no risk regardless of what card you hit on next. The highest soft hand is a nine and an ace (equalling 10 or 20). Blackjack Probability Blackjack probability is a topic that has been discussed in online gaming arguably since its inception. The probability of a specific outcome is dependable on so many variants which make Blackjack so popular. It’s the unpredictable nature of the game that draws in millions and millions of fans to casinos and online casinos every day. Determining the odds of any outcome or hand of a game of Blackjack is not something that the majority of people can calculate mentally during a game.

There are simpler calculations that you can logically make, for instance, the probability of your first card being an ace is 4/52, with your second card being value ten 16/51, however if you were to complicate the equation, the probability of you getting Blackjack with an ace first would be (4/52)*(16/51) = 64/2652 = 0.024 = 1 in 41.6. Blackjack odds and probability equations run into the millions. The more decks you play with, the more complex the probabilities become. History of Blackjack Take a closer look at the game of Blackjack and the History of Blackjack throughout the years. From the pioneers of the game to the strategic nuances, it’s all here. The earliest version of the game of Blackjack containing the following elements: deck of cards, player vs. dealer, winner determined by numerical value of cards, was a Spanish game called Trente-un (31). Miguel de Cervantes, best known for Don Quixote, wrote about it in the book Rinconete and Cortadillo, published as one of his twelve Exemplary Novels in 1613.

A gambling game named Trente-un appears in written works as old as 1440 (though there are several unrelated games by this name). A variation of this game was called Bone Ace in England during the 17th century. In Cervantes' story and in Bone Ace as described by Charles Cotton in The Complete Gamester (1674), an ace can count as one or eleven. A French predecessor of Blackjack called Quinze (15) first appeared in the 16th century and was popular in casinos of France into the 19th century. An Italian card game called Sette e Mezzo (7 & 1/2) was played beginning in the 17th century. Sette Mezzo featured a 40-card deck (removing eights, nines, and tens). The remaining cards corresponded with their numerical value; face cards counted as one half. Another French game, Trente-et-quarante (30 & 40) was played at the Spa Casino in Belgium in 1780.

Trente-et-quarante, unlike most of these earlier games, was house banked, meaning the casino played against the players, taking or paying off bets by players. This game was also the first version offering an insurance bet. The rules of modern Blackjack came together in the French game Vingt-un (or Vingt-et-un ‘21’) in the middle of the 18th century. Enthusiasts promoting the game in France in the late 1700s and early 1800s included Madame Du Barry and Napoleon Bonaparte. In 19th century America, casinos eventually adopted two rules making the game more favourable to players: allowing the players to see one of the dealer's cards, and requiring the dealer to hit hands of 16 and below, and stand on 17 and above. In the early 20th century, the game became better known as Blackjack, due to a promotion (briefly tried and long discarded) that paid a bonus if the player made 21 from the ace of spades and a black jack (jack of clubs or spades). Following the popular academic research by Dr.

Thorp and subsequent players and analysts, Blackjack became the most popular table game in casinos. Although casinos benefited from the development of basic strategy, they have generally discouraged the practice. Although numerous court decisions have established that counting cards is not a form of cheating, casinos in most jurisdictions have the right to bar players for any reason. Individual casinos also modify Blackjack rules (sometimes differing from table to table): different numbers of decks, different deck penetration, house hitting vs. standing on soft 17, limits on splitting and doubling, and offering or not offering surrender. Books like Ken Uston's The Big Player (1977) and Ben Mezrich's Bringing Down the House (2002) described the fortunes made (and sometimes lost) by teams of Blackjack card counters. Mezrich's book became the popular film 21. Casino Games Online BlackJack – Play Blackjack Online at SilverOak Casino Let us now go over the moves available to a player after the first deal. Stand If you are dealt a hand which is good-with the value of the cards already close to 21-you don't have to take another card. Click on the Stand button to exercise this option.

Hit If you need to add more points to your hand, opt to Hit. The Dealer gives you another card. Remember, if you choose to hit and overshoot the 21 figure, you go Bust (lose automatically). Double Doubling Down means doubling your bet. Let's say, for example, you hold a hand valued at ten or 11. There is a good chance your next card will take you to 21, especially if the Dealer's Up Card is anything between 2 and 9.You click on the double option which automatically doubles (2X) your original bet, say $100. If you hit an Ace or ten, you win the $200 double bet. If you don't, you lose the same. At Silver Oak Casino, the double option is provided when you are holding two cards. Though it is available on any two cards, judge your hand carefully before you opt for it. For instance, your 5, 3 hand may not lead to a high score with the next card. If you opt to double your bet, and hit a 5, your total would be 13.

The Dealer may come in with 8 and 2 and add another 9, beating you with 19. Split When you are dealt two cards of the same value, you can split them into two hands. Let's say you are dealt two Queens. As it adds to 20, you may wish to try your luck with each as the first card of two hands. When you click on the Split option, the hand splits into two. It also means an equal wager is placed on the second hand. The rules of the game require you to hit at least once on each hand. However if you split on two aces, you can only hit once on each hand. Here is an example of a split: Let us say the first hand reaches a value of 21 (Q, 8, 3) and the second holds a value of 19 (Q, 6, 3); the Dealer then plays their round and comes up with just 18 (10, 8). You win twice over, for taking an educated risk. Another scenario is of an Ace split. You hold two hands with Ace as the first card. The second card you draw on the first hand may be any card worth ten.

This takes the value to 21; you draw another A on the second hand -this means you have to opt for a hard Ace and hold a hand of 12. The Dealer's hand goes bust (10, 4, K) and you win! Even if the Dealer's hand does not bust, and remains below 21, you win because you hold a hand worth 21. In this case, though the cards constitute a Blackjack in the strict sense of the term, it is not one. A Blackjack is not recognized on split Aces. Dealer's Turn After you play your cards, the Dealer reveals their other card. Depending on the hand, they will opt to hit or stand based on a series of rules that the Dealer must follow: Hit on any total of 16 or less Stand on any total of 17 or more There may be a case when the Dealer's card value matches yours. This is a tie, also called a Push and your bet is returned. There is a rebet option which you can click to repeat the same amount each time you make a bet. You Win When Your hand is closer to (but does not exceed) 21 points than the Dealer's hand.

If the Dealer busts and you do not. Additional Rules At Silver Oak Casino our Online Blackjack carries a 3:2 payout. This means that when you are dealt two cards adding up to 21, you win 1.5 times your bet amount (3 divided by 2). This has to be a combination of an Ace with 10 or any of the face cards. A $100 bet fetches you $150. If there is a tie, you get back your ante (first bet). Playing two hands at once Not many casinos let you play two hands at the same time. But at Silver Oak Casino there is a choice to place two bets and be dealt two hands at the start of every game of online blackjack. This means you have two hands to beat the Dealer's hand with. After you click on the 'bet' button and place a wager, an arrow pops up pointing to the other betting circle, asking you if you wish to place another bet. If you want to, then click on the chips again and place a second bet before you click on deal. Two hands are dealt one after the other, after which the Dealer is dealt their hand.

Proceed with all the moves for each hand one after the other. The Dealer will play after you stand on both. If you bust on any hand or reach 21 with one, you continue playing on the other. You can choose other options of split or double on each hand independently. Playing two hands against one of the Dealer means the Player can win both or lose both bets or win at least one. Of course, a tie is always a possibility. Insurance Bet An insurance bet is one in which you can insure yourself against losing when the Dealer's up card is an Ace. There is a possibility that the Hole Card could reveal a Blackjack, so you can buy yourself insurance for half the cost of your original wager. If you placed a $100 bet, buy insurance for $50. An insurance bet carries a payout rate of 2:1, so if the Dealer has a Blackjack, you are paid $100 on your insurance bet and play ends. If the Dealer doesn't have a Blackjack, then you lose your insurance bet and continue to play your hand. Insurance bets are an additional or side bet. So while you may lose your original wager, bagging the insurance helps you break even.

Online Blackjack Strategy and Tips The simple truth about Blackjack is that there are only 16 cards with the value of 10 in a 52-deck card, but many casinos use multiple decks, reshuffled between hands. Some players rely on card counting strategies, but the idea of tracking cards on multiple decks that are reshuffled would be virtually impossible. One way is to assume that the Dealer's second card is also worth 10. If the Dealer holds 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, the chances of busting are more. If they hold 5 or 6, the chances of busting are so great that you just have to play safe and avoid busting. If the Dealer's cards reveal 7 or anything higher, their hand could add to 18, 19, 20 and 21. In such cases, hit to improve your own hand. Some Other Blackjack Scenarios If your hand is equal to 17 or greater, and the Dealer is not showing a 7 or higher, the risk of busting is high. So you should stand.

If your hand is valued anywhere between 12 and 16, and the Dealer's Up Card is of high value, it is better to stand and see what their second card reveals. Chances are the higher value cards out there will make the Dealer bust. If your hand carries a value of 12 to 16 and the Dealer has a 7 or higher, you should hit. As the Dealer is likely to get a better hand than you do, you have little option but to risk busting. Blackjack History The earliest traces of Blackjack can be traced to 17th Century France, in a game called Vingt-et-Un (meaning 21). However, the Italian Seven and a Half card game has also shaped modern day Blackjack. Vingt-et-Un revolved around getting a 'natural' Blackjack --when one had a hand comprising Jack and an Ace of Spades. In Seven and a Half played with 7, 8 and 9 and the face cards, the goal was to reach a hand of 7.5 points. The value of 7, 8 and 9 was one while face cards carried half a point. If players busted the 7.5 value, they lost.

In fact, the term "bust" in Blackjack is derived from this feature. The game variations migrated to North America in the 19th century when governments took stern action against gambling. This forced Blackjack underground, where it flourished. In 1931 when Nevada legalized gambling, Blackjack resurfaced. Since then, much of its evolution can be attributed to efforts by statisticians who researched and published strategies to reduce the house edge in the game. In 1962, Professor Edward O. Thorp published his much-acclaimed card counting strategy in his book "Beat the Dealer." It topped the New York Times' best seller list the next year. In the second edition of "Beat the Dealer", published many years later, strategies were worked out by Julian Braun, an IBM employee, who used computers and played Blackjack with a simulator. Ever since, Blackjack card counting has taken casinos by storm as many try to outwit the Dealer through complicated strategies. Blackjack Glossary The pleasure of playing Blackjack is enhanced if you are well-versed in all the terminology associated with the game. Below are common terms that you will come across while playing Blackjack.

Action: A gambling term that refers to a specific amount of money wagered in a certain amount of time. Five bets of $20 each is a $100 of action. Banker: Usually the Dealer -- online casino. Bankroll: Money that a player has set aside to bet with. Blackjack: A natural 21 using an Ace and a Face Card. Bust: When the total value of a hand exceeds 21 the player loses the bet. Card Counting: Tracking the cards that have been played to score over the Dealer with the remaining cards. Double: Doubling your initial bet after receiving the first two cards dealt Draw: Addition of another card to your hand-the same as a hit. Even Money: When you cash in your bet at a 1:1 payout ratio. Face Cards: Jack, Queen or King, all with a face value of 10. Hard Hand: A hand in which any Ace is counted as a one and not as 11. This is done to prevent the hand from exceeding 21 as it would then go bust. Hit: Ask for another card to be dealt. Hole Card: The Dealer's face down card.

Insurance: A bet that you place when the Dealer's up card is an Ace. You are betting half of your initial bet that the Dealer will get a natural blackjack. If the Dealer gets a natural blackjack the bet doubles, if not the bet is lost. Pat Hand: A hand with a total of 17. Push: The Dealer's hand and the player's hand have the same total, leading to the players bet being returned. Soft Hand: A hand in which an Ace is counted as 11 but whose value does not exceed 21. A hand can go from 'soft' to 'hard'. Take the example of an Ace and seven. It adds up to 18. If the player takes another card whose value is anything between 4 and 10, it means a bust. So the Ace will assume a value of 1. Split Hands: If the first two cards dealt are of equal value, you have the option to play them as two separate hands. Stand: When a player decides not to hit anymore. Stand Hand: A hand that has a total of a hard 17, when the player takes no further action.

Stiff Hand: Stiff hands are usually hands that are valued from 12 to 16 and have little chances of winning. Up Card: The Dealer's first dealt card, placed face up. Play other 21 Games games like Blackjack Download Now and use coupon code: SPECIALFIVE What is BlackJack :: THE BETTING WIZARD THE BETTING WIZARD Home > Casino > Explanation of the games > What is BlackJack What is BlackJack The Black Jack (also known as Twenty-one in Italian) is a gambling card that takes place between the bank, represented by the casino, and players. They win the players who make a higher score bench no more than 21. History The game originated in France in the seventeenth century, with the name of vingt-et-un (or "twenty-one"). Once arrived in the United States the game of twenty-one was called Black Jack (jack black) with the introduction of a variant: if the player did a 21 with an ace and jack of spades, was paid a bonus of ten times the mail . Although currently the bonus was abolished, however, the name has stuck.

The cards Black Jack is normally used with a shoe size of 2 decks of cards in France, for a total of 104 cards. In the game, the ace can be worth 11 or 1, face cards are worth 10, while the other cards are worth their face value. The seeds have no influence or value. The sum of the points, in order to calculate the score, is by simple arithmetic. Playing the game Once the players have made ​​their bet, the banker from left to right give each player one card at each location played, giving the last bench. Then made a second round of cards face up, without attributing one to oneself. The distribution took place, the dealer law regarding the score of each player inviting them to express their game: they will be able to hit or stay at their discretion. If a player exceeds 21 is a loser and the dealer will collect your bet. Once players have defined their scores the dealer develops his game following the "rule of the bench": he must roll paper with a score of less than or equal to 16. Once you pass 16 you must stop.

If the counter exceeds the 21 "bust" and must pay all bets remain on the table. Once all the scores, the dealer compares his own with one of the other players, pays combinations superior to his own, retires and leaves the lower ones in a draw. The payment of winning bets is on par. The Black Jack pure The Black Jack pure is obtained when the player makes 21 with the first two cards assigned by the dealer, and you can only do with an Ace of Spades (11) and a Jack of spades; This score beats the dealer even though totals 21. The Black Jack The player who makes 21 with the first two cards assigned by the dealer, that receives an Ace (11) and a ten or a shape, form, blackjack and is entitled to payment of 3 to 2 (one and a half times the mail, that is, , the stake x 1.5); if the dealer also makes him the Blackjack hand is considered equal.

The doubling of the bet (double down) Players have played a particular option: if the first two cards are made ​​from 9 to 15 points, they can double your bet when you call but pledging to ask for a single card, and after receiving this card, the player is obliged to stop. The division (split) If the first distribution, the player receives two cards of the same value can make the split and that is: separate the two cards and add an equal bet on the second; continue the game as if the player had the first two cards; add a card on each separate card. In the case of two Aces double play is allowed but with the right to a single call. Strategy for the split The "split" in the size of the British game does not place limits on the number of divisions equal card even though it is forbidden the player to "split" the four, five and figures, that the institution of rules of the game in Britain has assessed statistically disadvantageous as betting against the player. A good blackjack player can if necessary be "split" four and five but should never dare to split the two figures.

Insurance When the banker serves as an Ace up card, there is the possibility that face Black Jack with the second card, so players may resort-insurance. The stakes of the insurance bet is half the base (the one on the box, for example: If the player has bet the insurance is worth 50 100). If the dealer achieves Black Jack the player will lose all of your initial bet, but will be compensated with twice the value of the insurance (2:1): in practice, it is as if the hand would end with an "equal". If the dealer does not make a Black Jack insurance will be canceled regardless of the outcome of the hand. The different versions In Europoa the cards are dealt, two for each player, one for the bench. In the U.S. also, the dealer, in addition to its face-up card, immediately took the other, which remains covered. In various casinos can be "split" (separate) cards equal to three times, except the axes which can be separated only once. After the split you can often (but not everywhere) to double your bet. In general, you can not double your hands soft (an ace with a card that is not shown).

However, there are casinos that allow you to double down on any initial combination. Among the variants of Blackjack are: Classic, European, Spanish 21, Vegas Strip, Atlantic City, Blackjack Switch, Multi-hand. Strategy The strategy of the game varies depending on the local rules and number of decks used. Beyond the choice whether to participate in the game, and the bet placed in one hand and the ability to double the stakes, the only choice left to the player to decide whether to ask for another card (and, if the first two cards are the same, to make a split, that is to split your hand into two). Basic Strategy To carry out the calculations of probabilities in various situations have been used as some of the first computers available to the university. In particular at MIT have been made several studies in this field. Based on these calculations, it is now possible, based only on what cards you have in your hand to know what the probability of getting any kind of paper. Based on these probabilities, was calculated by a rule (Basic Strategy) that determines which is the best decision to be made in different circumstances.

Everything is explained in the section win with the Blackjack Counting Cards These calculations and this rule is based solely on the cards in play at that time. However, it is possible to develop a further strategy due to the fact that the number of cards at the table (ie, the number of decks used) is fixed and the fact that the cards are shuffled only at the beginning of the game and continue to play in one hand and the other without reshuffle the cards, but continuing to use the remaining cards in the deck. The cards are shuffled only when you reach the cardboard divider that is usually placed around the middle of the shoe. This paper partition determines the percentage of deck penetration, ie the number of cards that will be distributed (with respect to the total present in bunches) that takes place before the shuffle. More than this percentage is high, and the greater the benefits to the player. [1] It is therefore possible, although very difficult to remember which cards have already come to know and then which remain in the deck.

The high number of cards used makes it difficult to remember each card individually; However, it is possible (though still hard) to remember if outputs from the deck are more low cards than high value cards and consequently calculate the probability that a card drawn from the deck is of high or low value. This technique is indicated with the name of card counting. A situation with a deck of cards with more high cards than low is favorable to the player and unfavorable to the bank (because it increases the likelihood of a bank of over 21, since the bank is acting in a fixed way, which is to continue to take a 'additional paper as long as it does not exceed or until all players get to 17, and for other reasons). This technique allows therefore difficult to know what is the most propitious time to make higher stakes. Black Jack, there are also some versions to be played between all players, in which the part of the dealer is alternated between the various players. Inside the casinos instead the role of the dealer is always held by the house staff. BlackjackGamesJoy | Online Blackjack Basics: What is Blackjack Switch What is Blackjack Game?

France is widely believed to be the original home of blackjack or the game of twenty one as it is commonly called. Miguel was a gambler who played card games like blackjack very early in the history of gambling. The title of his book is not very popular but the contents are, plus the idea that his book carried the earliest writings on blackjack. The main characters in this blackjack book were known to professional cheats at Veintiuna - a Spanish name which means twenty one. The game of twenty one was more common in France than in other places in the 17th century though there were minor variations. The basic requirement for a player to hit 21 without busting was retained in all the variants of the game and the provision for counting an Ace as either 1 or 11 also remained uniform throughout all the variants. The Spread of Blackjack The game of blackjack spread to North America after the famous French Revolution. The Americans were not very enthusiastic about the game and casinos offered bonuses to attract players and draw more interest to the game. There was a bonus of 10 to 1 if a player had an Ace of spade and black Jack on his hands.

The bonuses soon disappeared once the game started gaining popularity but the use of the term black jack stuck. The United States government was not particularly happy with gambling games which were thought to encourage organized crime and corruption in society. The U.S. government moved to ban all forms of gambling in the beginning of the 19th century. Blackjack games were outlawed as well as all forms of gambling. But this move did not deter the blackjack adherents from playing the game only that it moved from being an open casino game to underworld game. With time the US government found it more challenging to control the game with a ban on since it had spread underground and the government did have sufficient mechanism to control it. Some states thought that it could probably be better dealt with if it was legalized to make it come to the surface and then regulate it from that point. Nevada legalized gambling in 1931 and the Las Vegas blackjack emerged. Edward Thorp published a book entitled Beat the Dealer in 1962 with elaborate details of blackjack card counting strategies which served to even popularize the game further. More books about different blackjack variations were published later on.

Blackjack – Card Game Rules | Bicycle Playing Cards Tag: Twenty-One Vingt-et-Un Equally well known as Twenty-One. The rules are simple, the play is thrilling, and there is opportunity for high strategy. In fact, for the expert player who mathematically plays a perfect game and is able to count cards, the odds are sometimes in that player's favor to win. But even for the casual participant who plays a reasonably good game, the casino odds are less, making Blackjack one of the most attractive casino games for the player. While the popularity of Blackjack dates from World War I, its roots go back to the 1760s in France, where it is called Vingt-et-Un (French for 21). Today, Blackjack is the one card game that can be found in every American gambling casino. As a popular home game, it is played with slightly different rules. In the casino version, the house is the dealer (a "permanent bank"). In casino play, the dealer remains standing, and the players are seated. The dealer is in charge of running all aspects of the game, from shuffling and dealing the cards to handling all bets.

In the home game, all of the players have the opportunity to be the dealer (a "changing bank"). The Pack The standard 52-card pack is used, but in most casinos several decks of cards are shuffled together. The six-deck game (312 cards) is the most popular. In addition, the dealer uses a blank plastic card, which is never dealt, but is placed toward the bottom of the pack to indicate when it will be time for the cards to be reshuffled. When four or more decks are used, they are dealt from a shoe (a box that allows the dealer to remove cards one at a time, face down, without actually holding one or more packs). Object of the Game Each participant attempts to beat the dealer by getting a count as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21. Card Values/Scoring It is up to each individual player if an ace is worth 1 or 11. Face cards are 10 and any other card is its pip value. Betting Before the deal begins, each player places a bet, in chips, in front of him in the designated area.

Minimum and maximum limits are established on the betting, and the general limits are from $2 to $500. The Shuffle and Cut The dealer thoroughly shuffles portions of the pack until all the cards have been mixed and combined. He designates one of the players to cut, and the plastic insert card is placed so that the last 60 to 75 cards or so will not be used. (Not dealing to the bottom of all the cards makes it more difficult for professional card counters to operate effectively.) The Deal When all the players have placed their bets, the dealer gives one card face up to each player in rotation clockwise, and then one card face up to himself. Another round of cards is then dealt face up to each player, but the dealer takes his second card face down. Thus, each player except the dealer receives two cards face up, and the dealer receives one card face up and one card face down. (In some games, played with only one deck, the players' cards are dealt face down and they get to hold them.

Today, however, virtually all Blackjack games feature the players' cards dealt face up on the condition that no player may touch any cards.) Naturals If a player's first two cards are an ace and a "ten-card" (a picture card or 10), giving him a count of 21 in two cards, this is a natural or "blackjack." If any player has a natural and the dealer does not, the dealer immediately pays that player one and a half times the amount of his bet. If the dealer has a natural, he immediately collects the bets of all players who do not have naturals, (but no additional amount). If the dealer and another player both have naturals, the bet of that player is a stand-off (a tie), and the player takes back his chips. If the dealer's face-up card is a ten-card or an ace, he looks at his face-down card to see if the two cards make a natural. If the face-up card is not a ten-card or an ace, he does not look at the face-down card until it is the dealer's turn to play.

The Play The player to the left goes first and must decide whether to "stand" (not ask for another card) or "hit" (ask for another card in an attempt to get closer to a count of 21, or even hit 21 exactly). Thus, a player may stand on the two cards originally dealt him, or he may ask the dealer for additional cards, one at a time, until he either decides to stand on the total (if it is 21 or under), or goes "bust" (if it is over 21). In the latter case, the player loses and the dealer collects the bet wagered. The dealer then turns to the next player to his left and serves him in the same manner. The combination of an ace with a card other than a ten-card is known as a "soft hand," because the player can count the ace as a 1 or 11, and either draw cards or not. For example with a "soft 17" (an ace and a 6), the total is 7 or 17. While a count of 17 is a good hand, the player may wish to draw for a higher total.

If the draw creates a bust hand by counting the ace as an 11, the player simply counts the ace as a 1 and continues playing by standing or "hitting" (asking the dealer for additional cards, one at a time). The Dealer's Play When the dealer has served every player, his face-down card is turned up. If the total is 17 or more, he must stand. If the total is 16 or under, he must take a card. He must continue to take cards until the total is 17 or more, at which point the dealer must stand. If the dealer has an ace, and counting it as 11 would bring his total to 17 or more (but not over 21), he must count the ace as 11 and stand. The dealer's decisions, then, are automatic on all plays, whereas the player always has the option of taking one or more cards.

Signaling Intentions When a player's turn comes, he can say "Hit" or can signal for a card by scratching the table with a finger or two in a motion toward himself, or he can wave his hand in the same motion that would say to someone "Come here!" When the player decides to stand, he can say "Stand" or "No more," or can signal this intention by moving his hand sideways, palm down and just above the table. Splitting Pairs If a player's first two cards are of the same denomination, such as two jacks or two sixes, he may choose to treat them as two separate hands when his turn comes around. The amount of his original bet then goes on one of the cards, and an equal amount must be placed as a bet on the other card. The player first plays the hand to his left by standing or hitting one or more times; only then is the hand to the right played. The two hands are thus treated separately, and the dealer settles with each on its own merits. With a pair of aces, the player is given one card for each ace and may not draw again.

Also, if a ten-card is dealt to one of these aces, the payoff is equal to the bet (not one and one-half to one, as with a blackjack at any other time). Doubling Down Another option open to the player is doubling his bet when the original two cards dealt total 9, 10, or 11. When the player's turn comes, he places a bet equal to the original bet, and the dealer gives him just one card, which is placed face down and is not turned up until the bets are settled at the end of the hand. With two fives, the player may split a pair, double down, or just play the hand in the regular way. Note that the dealer does not have the option of splitting or doubling down. Insurance When the dealer's face-up card is an ace, any of the players may make a side bet of up to half the original bet that the dealer's face-down card is a ten-card, and thus a blackjack for the house. Once all such side bets are placed, the dealer looks at his hole card.

If it is a ten-card, it is turned up, and those players who have made the insurance bet win and are paid double the amount of their half-bet - a 2 to 1 payoff. When a blackjack occurs for the dealer, of course, the hand is over, and the players' main bets are collected - unless a player also has blackjack, in which case it is a stand-off. Insurance is invariably not a good proposition for the player, unless he is quite sure that there are an unusually high number of ten-cards still left undealt. Settlement A bet once paid and collected is never returned. Thus, one key advantage to the dealer is that the player goes first. If the player goes bust, he has already lost his wager, even if the dealer goes bust as well. If the dealer goes over 21, he pays each player who has stood the amount of that player's bet. If the dealer stands at 21 or less, he pays the bet of any player having a higher total (not exceeding 21) and collects the bet of any player having a lower total. If there is a stand-off (a player having the same total as the dealer), no chips are paid out or collected.

Reshuffling When each player's bet is settled, the dealer gathers in that player's cards and places them face up at the side against a clear plastic L-shaped shield. The dealer continues to deal from the shoe until he comes to the plastic insert card, which indicates that it is time to reshuffle. Once that round of play is over, the dealer shuffles all the cards, prepares them for the cut, places the cards in the shoe, and the game continues. Basic Strategy Winning tactics in Blackjack require that the player play each hand in the optimum way, and such strategy always takes into account what the dealer's upcard is. When the dealer's upcard is a good one, a 7, 8, 9, 10-card, or ace for example, the player should not stop drawing until a total of 17 or more is reached. When the dealer's upcard is a poor one, 4, 5, or 6, the player should stop drawing as soon as he gets a total of 12 or higher. The strategy here is never to take a card if there is any chance of going bust. The desire with this poor holding is to let the dealer hit and hopefully go over 21.

Finally, when the dealer's up card is a fair one, 2 or 3, the player should stop with a total of 13 or higher. With a soft hand, the general strategy is to keep hitting until a total of at least 18 is reached. Thus, with an ace and a six (7 or 17), the player would not stop at 17, but would hit. The basic strategy for doubling down is as follows: With a total of 11, the player should always double down. With a total of 10, he should double down unless the dealer shows a ten-card or an ace. With a total of 9, he should double down only if the dealer's card is fair or poor (2 through 6). For splitting, the player should always split a pair of aces or 8s; identical ten-cards should not be split, and neither should a pair of 5s, since two 5s are a total of 10, which can be used more effectively in doubling down. A pair of 4s should not be split either, as a total of 8 is a good number to draw to.

Generally, 2s, 3s, or 7s can be split unless the dealer has an 8, 9, ten-card, or ace. Finally, 6s should not be split unless the dealer's card is poor (2 through 6). Blackjack history What is Blackjack history? A very elusive but a rather unique and intriguing history, it is commonly agreed that the very first roots of blackjack appeared during the 17th Century in France where a game called Vingt-Et-Un was played in French casinos. The name 'Vingt Et Un' means '21' in French, which makes it quite clear that blackjack did originate from it. However, a very fundamental factor of both these card games is that their rules are sparingly different in all aspect. The game of Blackjack has always evolved by leaps and bounds and continue to do so to this day, with new variations created all the time. From '21', Blackjack garnered its now common name when a rule was set that let a player win an additional amount of money if he receives a Jack of spades and an Ace of spades as the first two cards dealt to him.

Blackjack gained speeding momentum in the 1800's in the U.S and it has steadily maintained its popularity as a well established casino table game to date. The discovery of this casino game can be entirely attributed to the French people and is believed to be an off shot of French card games 'Chemin de fer' and 'French Ferme'. Another game that may have contributed to the invention of blackjack is the Italian game 'seven and a half. This game was played with only 8's, 9's, 10's and face cards with face cards being considered as the 'half'. The Spanish game 'one and thirty' has similarities to blackjack too, though the desired total is '31' rather than '21' and the game is played with three cards instead of two. Initially, blackjack did not raise much curiosity and intrigue in the minds of the people and hence gambling houses tried to entice players with various bonus payouts. In today's gambling scenario, Jack is no longer required and any ten value card with an Ace now makes up for a winning hand and the blackjack remains a testimony true to the game's origins and history.

Most casinos now, technically speaking offers a payout of 3 to 2 on a natural blackjack irrespective of its suit and color. In Russia, blackjack is called '21' or 'Ochko' (The Hole) and the other early variations include 'Pontoon' and 'California Aces'. Like most gambling games, the precise origin and history of blackjack is clouded and still remains a mystery. A majority of scholars and historians though have finally concluded that the French game Vingt En Un is the most likely predecessor to the modern game of blackjack. Initially, Blackjack in America was heralded by names like Vingt Et Un or 21. Since the game didn't muster as much popularity and fame over a period of time, the term blackjack was created from an early bet that paid 10 to 1. In the late 1950's and 1960's, mathematical information was published (see Stanford Wong and Ed Thorp ) that showed sophisticated gamblers how they could play nearly even with the house and perhaps gain a slight edge with the correct Blackjack strategy . This information sparked the interest of the public and made it the number one table game in the U.S in the 1960's.

The casinos were however not happy with the success of the book and subsequently made changes to improve theirs odds. This restored the casino's edge to odds they considered acceptable. ... Now it is time to visit one of the best online casinos for blackjack . Good Luck at the blackjack tables. Copyright blackjackpam.com 2017 - All right reserved - sales at blackjackpam dot com There are two black jack cards, spades and clubs. In card room circles or home games, the jack of spades is nicknamed Ogier. And the jack of clubs is called Pam. Welcome to Blackjack Pam, your online blackjack resource. The content of this website is only for information about blackjack. This is not an incitation or promotion for gambling online or at live casinos. Blackjack is a game of skill where the player's ability to make decisions differentiates this game from pure games of chance, such as roulette and craps, where no skills or decision making are involved. If you think you have a gambling problem, contact a gambling addiction specialist. Always play blackjack within your bankroll and while sober.

Blackjack | How to Play Blackjack | Rules, Tips and Strategy New Slots How to Play Blackjack Blackjack is one of the few casino games where players can make decisions that give the house less of an advantage. All casino games give some advantage to the house but, in Blackjack, the advantage to the house can be reduced to less than one percent. Blackjack is often called 21. The game originated in France around 1700. The French name for it was vingt et un which means twenty-one. The name Blackjack came about because the dealers would call out "Blackjack" if a player was dealt an ace and a black jack, that is, a jack of spades or a jack of clubs. The early casinos paid 10-1 for a "Blackjack". Dealers still call out "Blackjack" but the casinos no longer pay 10-1. Casinos now generally pay 3-2 for any two dealt cards that add up to 21. Click for information on history , strategy charts , terminology/glossary , table layout and blackjack card counting .

Blackjack: The Basics For the player, the object of Blackjack is to reach 21, or as close to it as possible, without going over. Players are dealt two cards face-up. The dealer receives one up card and one down, or hole card. A player's hand is considered "soft" if there is an ace with the second card not a picture or a ten. A player who is not dealt an ace at all is said to have a "hard" hand. After receiving their two cards, players have several choices of how to proceed. Hit: When a player says "hit" it means "give me another card". Remember, the objective is always to reach 21 or come close. Stand: When a player says "stand" it means "I don't want any more cards". Even if the player has not reached 21, they may want to let the dealer play his cards without the player risking going over 21. If the player goes over 21 before the dealer has to play his cards, the player loses automatically and may have lost a chance to win the hand.

Split: When a player is dealt a pair of the same number, he may split the two cards, thereby creating a second hand to play. The player makes a bet on the new hand equal to the bet he made on the first hand. The player then plays each hand separately. The player can "hit" one of the hands and "stand" on the other. There are some variations on "splitting" depending on the casino's rules. Some casinos allow players to create up to four separate hands by splitting. Players may be allowed to double any of the separate hands. We will explain "doubling" in the next paragraph. Finally, most casinos allow the player to split aces only once even if they allow more splits for the other cards. Double Down: As the name implies, this means to double your bet. After a player "doubles" they receive one, and only one, more card. Some casinos allow doubling only when the two cards dealt add up to 9, 10, or 11. Some casinos allow doubling on any two cards dealt. Insurance: After the first two cards have been dealt, the player may buy insurance when the dealer has an ace showing.

Under this option, the player increases their bet by 50% before the dealer checks his hole card to see if he has blackjack. The dealer checks to see if he has blackjack before other cards are dealt. If the player has taken insurance, and the dealer does in fact have blackjack, the player wins the insurance bet, which pays 2-1, and loses the original bet. In this way, the player breaks even on the hand. If the dealer doesn't have blackjack the player loses the insurance bet and the hand proceeds like any normal hand. Insurance is considered a poor choice because there is less than a 33% chance that the dealer will have a ten card in the hole. Surrender: This means that the player may give up half their bet and retain the other half. A player will choose this option when they feel their chances of winning the hand outright are very small. Early surrender means the player may surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. Late surrender means the player may surrender after the dealer has checked for blackjack. The player has chosen his course of play. The player will either stand with 21 or less or will go over 21.

When the player goes over 21 it is called a "bust" and the player loses immediately. The player loses in this case even if the dealer later busts as well. When it is the dealer's turn to play, he will turn over his hole card. The dealer takes cards until he has 17 or more. If he has 17-21 he stands. If he goes over 21 he busts and the remaining hands win. In some casinos the dealer may hit on soft 17, that is, an ace and a six. In other casinos the dealer must stand on any 17. If the dealer's and the player's point totals are the same the hand is a "push". This means a tie. Neither the player nor the house wins and the player gets his bet back. There are variations in the rules that increase or decrease the house's advantage. Here are some rules variations that help players. The number of decks: The player has an advantage when the casino uses few decks. Most casinos use anywhere from two to eight decks. Experienced players who can count cards can gain a positive advantage over the house if the house uses only one or two decks.

Soft 17: It is a clear benefit to players if the casino rules say the dealer must stand on a soft 17. Splitting: It is an advantage to the player if the casino allows them to split aces. It is also beneficial if the casino allows players to split up to four times. Doubling Down: Some casinos allow doubling only on a two-card total of 9, 10, or 11. Some allow doubling only on 10 and 11. It benefits the player if the house allows doubling on any two-card combination. Here are some variations that clearly benefit the house. Experienced players will avoid games with these rules. Payout for Blackjack: Most casinos still pay 3-2 for blackjack but some now pay 6-5. It is rare, but some casinos pay only 1-1 for blackjack. Stay away! Dealer's Blackjack: This is sometimes called "European Blackjack". The dealer doesn't check his hole card for blackjack immediately. This causes players to use the doubling and splitting options only to find out that they lost automatically to a hidden blackjack. Ties: This variation is rare online. The house wins ties. This is a killer variation. Stay away from such games!

Blackjack Basic Multi-Deck Strategy Chart - Dealer Stands on Soft 17 Basic Blackjack Strategy The casino shows the house's advantage for its specific rules. The house bases its advantage on players playing "basic strategy". Many players play hunches or faulty strategies. These enhance the casino's advantage. So it's a good idea to invest some time in learning "basic strategy". Always stand on a hard 17 or higher. Never split 10's. Always split 8's or Aces. Always hit on a hard 8 or lower. There is one exception to this strategy: If the house is playing with only one deck the player may, at times, double with these cards. Here are three poor strategies that some players use. They increase the casino's advantage. Some players are afraid to bust, that is, to go over 21. These players never hit on 12 or above. Some players do what the dealer does. This means they always hit on 16 or less and they never double or split. It is not sound to always assume that the dealer has a ten in the hole. Players who use these poor strategies increase the casino's advantage by as much as 10 percent.

Blackjack Table Layout Summary - Enjoy Blackjack! Some players love the camaraderie around the table; you don't compete with the other players, only with the house. Some play it because the rules and strategies are simple and easy to learn. With good strategy, the house's advantage is less than 1 percent so players can make their money last a long time. Blackjack is one of the more popular casino games and will likely remain so for a long time to come. While some casino players love the spin of the wheel or the roll of the dice, others love the play of the cards and the sound of the dealer calling "Blackjack". Our strategies and rules are solely for entertainment purposes only. Our website encourages players to play responsibly and to realize that over time, the house always wins. Posted by CCJ Team Blackjack Resources Click for a full range of blackjack resources like the history of the game, how to play, card counting, glossary and much more: Online Blackjack | up to $400 Bonus | Casino.com Australia Back To Top Game Rules The aim of the game of online blackjack is to create a total hand value of close to 21 than the dealer without going over.

Each card has a value – two through ten have their face value; face cards have a value of ten and Ace has a value of 1 or 11 depending on the value of the other cards in the hand. The rules of the game may vary depending on the variation you are playing so it is important to be familiar with the game before you begin. To begin the game, you must place your bet. You will then be dealt two card face up and the dealer will be dealt one card face up and one card face down. At this point you will need to play your hand and as the player, you will have many options. Surrender – Some online blackjack games offer the opportunity to surrender your hand. In many cases you can only surrender once the dealer has checked for Blackjack (late surrender), while in some cases you can surrender before (early blackjack). Insurance – if the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, you can take out insurance against him having Blackjack. If the dealer has Blackjack, you win the insurance bet and lose the game bet. Double down – receive one more card and end your turn. This is available only on the first two cards.

Split – If you have two cards of equal value, you can split your hand into two separate hands with separate bets. In many cases you can split after splitting. If you split Aces, you may be able to receive only one more card. Hit – Receive one more card. You can continue to hit until you go bust or choose to stand. Stand – Receive no more cards and end your turn. Once you have completed your turn, the dealer will play his hand. The dealer is required to play according to the house rules which require him to hit on 16 and stand on 17. The two hands will then be compared and you will be paid out for any wins. There are a number of ways to win at blackjack: Achieve Blackjack Back To Top Blackjack Odds Understanding the odds in a game of online blackjack can help you understand the best way to play the game. The overall odds of the game can be as high as 7-8%, but the good news is that by playing with optimal strategy, you can reduce those odds down to as low as 0.5%. The odds in the game can be high because the dealer plays last.

This means that some of the players will already have gone bust by the time the dealer plays, leaving him with a smaller number of people to compete against. In addition, the players that go bust will lose their bet regardless of if the dealer later goes bust or not. The odds of you going bust increase the higher your hand total is. This means that if you hit on a hand total of 20, the odds of you going bust are 92%. Compare this to the 31% odds of going bust when your hand total is 12. In most cases, it is recommended to stand on a hand total of 16 or 17, which have odds of going bust of 62% and 69% respectively. Understanding the odds of the dealer achieving certain hand totals can also help you. The odds of the dealer achieving a hand total of 16, is 28.36%, which works out to the hand total with the highest probability. This means that if you have a hand total of 15 or lower, the odds are in favour of the dealer beating you.

In contrast, the odds of the dealer achieving a hand total of 21 with three cards, is only 7.36%. The basic strategy charts that players can use take into account the odds of the dealer going bust based on their up-card and recommend player actions accordingly. Deal – Deal the cards Double – Double bets on the table. Undo – Undo the last action – remove the last bet that was placed or replace the last bet that was removed. Clear Bets – Remove all bets from the table. Hit – Receive one more card. Stand – Receive no more cards and end your turn. Double – Double your bet and receive one more card. Insurance – Take out an insurance bet against the dealer having Blackjack. Split – Split your hand into two separate hands. New Game – Start a new game. Rebet – Place the same bet as in the last round. Rebet and Deal – Place the same bet as in the last round and then immediately deal. Back To Top Blackjack Glossary Blackjack – A 2-card hand consisting of an Ace and a card valued at 10 for a total hand value of 21. Bust – You hand value going over 21.

Double down – The player option of receiving one more card and ending your turn. It is an option available on your first two cards only. Edge – The percentage advantage the casino has over the player. Hit – To receive another card. Hole Card – The dealer’s unseen (face-down) card. Insurance – An optional bet that can be placed by the dealer. It is placed against the dealer having Blackjack if his up-card is an Ace. Shoe – The box where the remaining decks are held. Stand – Receive no more cards and end your turn. Surrender – Forfeit the game at the cost of half your bet. Split – Divide two cards of equal value into two separate hands to be played with separate bets.

Question: What is Blackjack called in France?
Answer: Vingt-et-un