Learning and Playing the Game of Blackjack

Blackjack or 21 is one of the most popular casino games land-based or online. This game is believed to have originated from France in the early part of the 18th Century. The term “Blackjack” was coined after it was inspired by the hand that was typically dealt in the game – two cards consisting of the Jack of Spades and the Ace of Spades.

Playing the Game

Blackjack is one of the most popular games online. With the top-of-the-line software, the game’s graphics and sounds are pretty amazing. In an online blackjack, you actually play against the House. Initially, the player will place their bet. The dealer will then deal two cards to the player and himself. The 2 cards are placed with one card face up and the other card face down. The goal is to draw and create a hand which adds up to 21. Player’s cards that are face cards like Jacks, Queens and Kings are valued as 10. An Ace card is worth 11 points. The rest are worth their face value. Whenever the player or the dealer’s first two cards equals to 21, he holds a Blackjack and he wins the game; unless, both of them hold a Blackjack in which case a tie or a “push” results.

Different Kinds of Blackjack

There are actually various kinds of Blackjack – the Face-Up 21, Match Play 21, Pontoon and Super Play 21.

• Face-Up 21 uses 8 decks of 52 cards
  The dealer deals the cards both face up. The dealer has to get soft 17 if he wants to win. In this version, the Blackjack always beats any hand even if it has a value of 21. If both the player and dealer hold a Blackjack, the player wins the round. If they both the same hand, but not Blackjack, the dealer wins.
• Matchplay 21 uses 8 decks of 48 cards
  The 10s are removed in this Blackjack variation. The dealer hit soft 17. The blackjack always beats any 21-valued hand. If both the player and dealer hold a 21, the player wins.
• Pontoon uses 2 decks with 52 cards
  In this game, a combination of Ace with 10 is known as the Pontoon. All ties in Pontoon are won by the dealer.
• Super Fun 21 uses 8 decks with 52 cards
  If both the player and the dealer holds a Blackjack, the player wins the game.