Online Blackjack USA

The origin of Blackjack is unknown, but according to some written references, the game was played since the 17th century or even earlier. Miguel de Cervantes, widely regarded as the greatest Spanish writer thanks to his novel Don Quixote mentioned in one of his stories written between 1601 and 1602 “veintiuna” which is the Spanish word for twenty-one. When twenty-one arrived at the US casinos, players were offered bonus payouts which made the game look more attractive. One of the bonuses was a ten-to-one payout delivered when the player’s hand contained the ace of spades and one of the black jacks. This is how the game got the name we know today since such a hand was called a “blackjack”.

Blackjack involves logic and math and over the decades, experts tried to develop an optimal Blackjack strategy. Some of them were Harvard University students and ex-students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology who were dedicated to devising counting techniques and more sophisticated science-based strategies to beat casinos. Other teams were formed worldwide with the same goal.

The game starts with placing a bet. The player is then dealt two cards which may be face up or down which depends on the variation of the game played. The cards from 2 through 10 are worth the number indicated on them while all face cards are worth ten. When it comes to Aces, they can be worth 1 or 11. After you are dealt two cards, you can draw additional cards to make your hand come closer to 21. The dealer’s turn comes after all the players have completed their hands, but if players have busted or got blackjacks, the dealer’s hand stays uncompleted.

You got a blackjack if you are dealt 21 from the start while the dealer hits until their cards are worth 17 or more. To beat the dealer, you must not bust or have a hand of a higher value than the dealer’s hand. In most cases, a blackjack pays 3:2, while some single or double deck games pay 6:5. A “push” is a situation in which both the player and dealer have the hands of the same value, which means that the player does not win or lose money.

To play Blackjack, you have to acquire the basic strategy. It basically means that you should know what decision you should make to beat the dealer. These decisions may include hitting, standing, splitting or doubling down your hand. By applying the basic strategy, you decrease the house edge to 0.5%. There are a few simple rules you should stick to such as standing when your hand is between 12 and 16 and the dealers are between 2 and 6. When you have a hand worth between 12 and 16 and the dealer has 7 and Ace, you should hit. You should always split Aces and 8s and double 11 when the dealer’s hand consists of 2 and 10. When you have Aces and 6s, you should hit or double down.

More advanced Blackjack strategies include applying betting systems or the combination of the betting systems, card counting and paying attention to the odds of winning and losing. Some games also offer the option to surrender when the dealer gets a blackjack. If you opt for this move, the house will take a half of your bet while the other half of the bet will be returned to you. When the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you can take insurance before the dealer checks the face-down card. It is a side bet which pays 2:1.

Blackjack games come with different rules, especially at online casinos where you can choose from dozens of variants. They are all based on reaching 21, but some of them offer side bets which can add more excitement to the gameplay and pay higher prizes. You can also play Blackjack at live dealer tables, which will provide you with an immersive gaming experience as if you play at a land-based gaming hall. Keep in mind that Live Blackjack tables have higher minimum bets than virtual ones.

Here are some of the most popular Blackjack variations.

Written by Shane Pickrell

Shane Pickrell is a seasoned expert in the world of online gambling, with a profound passion for enhancing the gaming experience through his deep knowledge of online live dealer games. With over a decade of involvement in the industry, Shane has established himself as a respected authority on the intricacies of live dealer gaming and its dynamic impact on the gambling landscape.

Shane’s journey into the realm of online gambling was paved with a solid educational foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from a prestigious university in the United States. His academic pursuits not only honed his analytical skills but also provided him with a well-rounded understanding of the business and technological aspects of the online gaming industry.