Blackjack is an exciting and intriguing card game and it has become a world favourite, pipping even Poker to the post in the popularity stakes. Also known as 21, Blackjack is played between the player and the dealer and when enjoyed online, can be extremely fast-paced. Players will compete against the dealer rather than each other and the aim of the game is to beat the dealer in one of 3 different ways.
These are as follows:
- Attaining a hand of 21 or Blackjack in the first dealt cards. A ‘Blackjack’ is an ace and a face card totalling exactly 21, and is also known as a natural hand.
- Reaching a score of closer to 21 than the dealer, without going bust.
- Letting the dealer draw additional cards until they go bust (exceed a hand of 21 points).
A common misconception amongst many players is that the aim of the game is simply to have a hand of as close to 21 as possible, forgetting that beating the dealer at the same time is essential.
Blackjack Basics
Blackjack has been popular for several centuries and its exact origins are somewhat murky, although it was mentioned in a book as far back as the early 1600’s. By going online in the 1990’s the game grew massively in popularity, as it suddenly became all the more accessible and players were able to play at their own pace and learn the intricacies required to build a winning hand.
Comparing to Pokies, Blackjack is a game of strategy rather than chance, and by implementing strategic game play, players are able to affect the outcome of a hand, increase their winning chances and reduce the house edge. This means that practice can, in essence make perfect, and the online arena gave players the chance to refine their strategies for free, whilst still enjoying a hyper-realistic gaming experience.
Blackjack has a number of terms that new players also need to become familiar with, including Hit, Stand, Double Down and Split. These are easy to understand, but they are necessary as they affect your game play and the decisions you make during every hand. Knowing the card values is also important, but again, this is simple and quick to learn.
Blackjack Variations
Blackjack can be enjoyed in numerous different variations, but the premise of the game will always remain exactly the same. By going online, a number of new variations have been developed in an effort to keep the game fresh and exciting. Single hand and multi hand and single deck and multi deck games are available, as are those with progressive jackpots. Blackjack tournaments are also part of the online gaming experience and add a new element of interactive play to the game.
Classic Blackjack, European Blackjack and Las Vegas Blackjack are amongst the more popular versions, but there’s also Spanish Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, Pontoon and a number of other different options. Some casinos offer as many as 40 or more different variants of the game, and it continues to attract a growing audience as more and more players recognise that beating the house can be very satisfying when you can skill to your advantage rather than relying purely on luck.
