Blackjack is regarded as one of the most popular casino games world over and not without reason, for it requires a unique blend of luck and skill. The game also referred to as twenty one or pontoon has been at the focus of numerous Hollywood movies over the decades and probably draws much of its popularity from there. Here is a brief overview.
Twenty-one
It is called twenty one because the player has to acquire a total of 21 to win the bet. The queen, king and the jack all carry ten points, while an ace can be used as either 1 or 11 as per the player’s choice. All the other cards carry the same points as their number. The dealer gives the player two cards face-up once he has placed his bet. To win a player needs to have a total of 21 points or a total bigger than that of the dealer without exceeding 21, which results in a bust in which case the dealer wins the hand.
A dealer keeps one of his cards face up while the other card is undisclosed, both the player’s cards are dealt face up, he can ask for more cards if his total is much lower than 21. The additional cards are dealt one at a time, until either the player feels confident to play with the hand or he busts.
Usually between 6 and 8 decks are mixed together in a box (called a shoe), from which the dealer deals the hands. The lesser the number of decks the greater advantage player is at. Mostly the pay-offs are 1:1, that is the player wins the same amount which he has bet.
Some common terms associated with blackjack are hit, which is a signal to take another card, stand implies that the player is confident enough to play his hand. Double down allows the player to double his bet after getting the first two cards. The player places the chips next to his initial bet and then he is dealt another card, the playing hand then includes the two initial cards and the third dealt card.
Another term that you come across is card counting, which is equivalent to keeping track of the cards that have been dealt, to work out the probabilities of the remaining cards being high. Though card counting mentally is legal, using any electrical means for it is banned.
Blackjack’s popularity has only increased over the years. Now you know all you need to know, so go play.