Blackjack is a legendary casino classic that has permeated popular culture more than any other card game. Before the internet it was a mainstay in land-based casinos, and so it was inevitable that online Blackjack would take off in the same way. Other names for the game include Vingt-et-un (Twenty-One) and Pontoon, although it’s most commonly known by its US name Blackjack.
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If you’ve heard of Blackjack but you’re not quite sure what it is or how to play, we’ve created this quick guide to get you started on the basics and give you the confidence to give the game a go here on our site – it’s really very simple, and potentially very rewarding.
History of Blackjack
The origins of Blackjack are debated, but one of the earliest mentions of the game ‘Vingt-et-un’ can be found in the classic novel Don Quixote from the early 15th Century. However, it was not until the French gambling houses of the 18th Century that the game really began to take off. It was named ‘Twenty-One’ because the aim of the game is to score as close to the number 21 as possible without going over it.
The game began to really take off in 18th Century France, when gambling houses became more established. The name ‘Blackjack’ is believed to have arrived here, as casinos offered better odds on hands with an Ace and a ‘black jack’ – i.e. a Jack of Spades or Clubs.
When France colonised America, they brought the game with them, and when gambling was more widely legalised in the 1930s, Blackjack became a standard game in the casinos of Vegas and beyond.
How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack’s appeal is largely down to its simplicity and fast pace. The aim of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand by getting closer to the number 21 than they do.
Aces are worth either one or 11, depending on what benefits your hand more. Face cards are worth ten, and all other cards are taken at peg value.
The game begins with each player being dealt two face-up cards. The dealer is also dealt two cards – one is face-up, one face-down. Players then place bets depending on how likely they think it is that they might beat the dealer’s hand without going ‘bust’ – going over 21.
Then players choose whether to be ‘hit’ with another card, or stick with their existing hand. You’ll stay in the game as long as your hand is valued at 21 or less.
Play the Best Online Blackjack
There are many variants of online Blackjack, including Blackjack Multihand, Lightning Blackjack and of course our Live Casino Blackjack experience which allows you to play with live dealers in real time.
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