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| Vegas Casinos Online: BlackJack | ||||
| Blackjack is a fantastic game to start with; it makes are great segway into online card games, and when you’re not quite ready for poker. Here you will find a comprehensive introduction to the game. Originally, BlackJack was referred to simply as Twenty-One, from the highest score that can be accomplished. It came to America from the French in the eighteenth century, though obviously variances in the game have developed. For example, in the original French version, a score of twenty-one did not have the substantial payout of today’s game (3:2 ratio). As the game arrived in the States, it was received into the underground only, seen as an illegal gambling game. It was not popular with anyone of reputation and scarcely played by anyone without. It did, however, catch the interest of casinos, and seeing the potential in the game, they instigated tremendous offers to entice players into participation. Many casinos went so far as to offer a 10-to-1 payout for those players who achieved an ace of spades and a (literally) black Jack- one of spades or clubs. This winning hand is where the name “BlackJack” originated. When the game started to grow in popularity, the 10-to-1 deals were no longer necessary, but the name stuck. It has also evolved to the point where the term BlackJack is the combination of an ace with a jack, color notwithstanding. To win the game is simple: you must have a hand totaling more than the dealer’s, but that which is equal to or less than 21. If your total point score for the cards in your hand totals more than 21, it is considered a “bust,” or a losing hand. You automatically lose. Cards with a face value of 2 through 10 are worth their actual value; Face cards (jack, queen, king) are worth ten points. An ace can be worth one point, or eleven points depending on the hand, and the needs of the player. When a player has an ace in his hand, currently with a value of 11, it’s called a “soft hand,” as if the player were to ask for an additional card, he could not bust if his points were to go over 21; the value of the ace would simply change to 1. The game of blackjack is a game where you play against the dealer of the table, rather than against the other players sitting next to you. For this reason, a sense of camaraderie can be developed at some tables, particularly hot ones. Each player shares the objective to beat the house in their scores, and the more winners the merrier. It is not uncommon for all players at a table to win a hand if the house receives poor cards, or busts himself. When the dealer busts, players with cards valuing below 22 points all win. If both a player and the house busts, the player still loses. If the dealer and the player achieve the same score in points, it’s called a “push;” neither win or lose, the ante remains on the table, but there is no payout. A tie, if you will. When you enter your online casino site, and are choosing a game, make sure you know what the minimum bet will be at that table. It will typically be posted near the name of the game in the menu. Land-based casinos advertise their minimum bet (also known as the ante, or the bet required to be dealt cards to you) on the table, or on a sign above it. It is your (responsible) choice what you’d like to wager in BlackJack. Once the first bets are laid on the table, the dealer will lay out the cards, one to each player, then himself- twice, so that everyone has two cards. Both of your cards will be face up, while one of the dealers will be face down. The unseen card is called the hole card. If the dealers top card (the exposed one) is either an ace or face or 10, he will check the covered card to see if he has blackjack. This action follows the cards being dealt, after insurance has been offered, but before players play. If the dealer does have blackjack, then the gamblers initial bets will all be collected, unless a player at the table also has blackjack (it’d be obvious, as all your cards are face up.) A two-card hand that totals 21 points is called twenty-one, blackjack, or a natural. A gamblers automatically wins with a hand such as this, unless the house also has 21 points, at which time- they push, or tie. If game play continues, players then have choices: · Hit- you are asking for an additional card, which points will be added to your current total. · Stand- the player doesn’t want any additional cards, and will play out with what they have · Double Down- the player wishes to (1) double his initial bet and (2) receive one more card, after which he will stand. · Split- when both a gambler’s cards are of the same value (i.e. two fives) he may split his hand into two, add another ante bet for the new hand, and play both hands. · Surrender- the player chooses to fold (quit) and keep half of his initial bet. Most modern casinos do not allow surrenders anymore, though it was quite popular in the early 1900’s. Once a player has chosen to stand, meaning, he doesn’t want to receive any more cards, his turn is over and the game play goes on to the next player around the table. Once all players have had their play, the dealer will expose his other card, and play his own hand. House rules are set, however: if the hand total is 17 or higher, the dealer will stand; if the point value is 16 or lower, the dealer will continue hitting until a score of 17 is reached, or he busts. In either, case the dealer will then payout those players whose hands beat his own, and collect the bets from those who don’t. Typical odds are 1:1, though exceptions do apply occasionally. As in any game, there are variations, especially in online casinos that can alter your experience: · Early Surrender- the gambler can surrender when a 10-point value card or ace is showing in the dealers hand before he checks his hole card. · Late Surrender- the player can surrender after the dealer has checked · Multiple Splits- if a player were to split two fives into two hands, and received an additional five for one of the secondary hands, a multiple split rule would allow him to split a third time (or fourth…) This is uncommon. · One Card for Split Aces- if two aces are received, and split- the player would receive one additional card to each of the hands, making the ace an 11-point value automatically. · Five Card Charlie- if the player is able to hit 5 times (totaling 7 cards on the table), this rule makes the player an automatic winner. He would be paid out immediately, and the dealer would then move onto the next player. · Split Any Tens- a rule allowing splits for cards of 10-point value; basically it wouldn’t need to be two queens, a queen and a 10 could be split into two hands. Rare, since your original score is 20, a great hand in the game. · Double Down after Split- This rule prevents players from doubling down after their cards have been split. · Double Down Restrictions- this rule limits the combinations of cards that a player may double down on- usually totaling 9, 10, or 11. · European No Hole Card Rule- in this version, the dealer only deals himself one card, no second until after all the players have completed their turns. At this point, the next card becomes the dealer’s second. The risk is that if the dealer were to achieve 21, all bets may be taken- initial and otherwise- depending on the casino. Usually, double down and split bets are not taken, and the game plays the same way. Make sure as you explore online what version of the game you are playing, and what rule variations may be in effect. It is the players’ responsibilities to understand the game play both online and in the casino, though in a live casino you have immediate resources available (asking the dealer, the surrounding players…)
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