Blackjack is a great game for players who enjoy a relaxing card game. The objective of this game is to reach the sum of 21 without going over 21(hitting over 21 is called a bust.) Casinos will use anywhere fron one to eight decks of cards. This high amount of cards deters card counters and cheaters. The wonderful aspect about blackjack is that no other players are involved. Its just you against the dealer. However, in certain cases you luck may be challenged by others sitting at the table. Their bets will not go up against yours, but the amount of cards being dealt may. Keep in mind that all aces can be worth 1 or 11, it is up to you to decided what amount they are worth. There are hundreds of different strategies in blackjack. We suggest you follow these basic rules:
Card counting is a well-known strategy in the game of blackjack. There have been hundreds of books published on this subject. Many casinos see card counting as a negative stragegy and have deployed many attempts to banish it from the casinos for good. Rules have been changed and new ones have been added in order to relinquish card counting in blackjack. Card counting is NOT illegal, however if a casino notices your strategy you will be asked to either leave the casino or be escorted to another game. Casinos have lost a great deal of money to card counter. Every single casino has their own way of dealing with these players. If you decide to use this strategy, please be aware of the consequences.
Most blackjack players find the game relaxing and enjoyable. It is important to be aware of your cards and to not play recklessly. We also suggest blackjack players do not drink while playing. Drinking tends to lower your inhibition and you will end up losing more money than expected.
1st base - The first player on the left of the dealer.
Action - All of the bets which have taken place in a specific time.
Bankroll - The entire amount of money a player has in there possession for a specific amount of time.
bet sizing - When a player places a bet that matches up with the advantage he/she has over the dealer.
Black play - Slang for a high roller who places $100 or more on a blackjack player.
Burn card - A card taken from the top of the deck and set aside. This deters the cheater from winning.
Bust - When the player or dealer exceeds the sum amount of 21.
Buy-in - When a player buys additional chips to place more bets.
Cage - Another term for a cashiers area.
Card counting - A blackjack strategy where cards are counted. Many casinos look down on this type of play. Players must be exact when using this strategy or else it will fail.
Cut card - A plastic, colored card which is given to a player so that he/she can cut the deck of cards.
Double down - This is a strategy when a player adds more money to a bet and requests additional cards. If players win during a double down session, they have the opportunity to win a larger jackpot.
Edge - The edge is used to describe the advantage the house has over the casino patrons.
Flat bet - When a player keeps the same exact bet through many hands and does not raise or lower it.
Grinder - A player who always is striving to get his/her money back from the money lost. Once they have broken even or won a small amount of cash, they will walk away from the game.
Hole cards - The cards which are placed face down on the table.
Head on - When a player faces a dealer one-on-one. There are no other players at the table. Some blackjack players believe playing this way will give them a better advantage against the house.
Hot deck - A deck of cards which is deemed luck.
Insurance - When a player only has to give half of their bet to dealer.
Joker card - Not all casino play with joker. The ones who do, use the joker as a bonus. Most likely the casino will use this card as an automatic 21.
Paint - Slang for a face card.
Pit - The area surrounding the blackjack tables, this is where the pit boss is located.
Push - When both the player and the dealer tie. The pot is equally split.
Second base - The player sitting next to the first base player.
Shoe - A device where the cards are stored and dealt from.
Soft hand - A blackjack hand with an ace card which will be count as 1 or 11.
Stand - To stay where your are and to no longer accept additional cards.
Toke - When a player tips the dealer.
Whale - Slang for a blackjack high roller.
Need a little help with your blackjack game? Never played before and want some tips before you head off to the casino? If so, we are here to give you some blackjack help. Follow these simple tips and you will be a poker professional before you know it.
History of Blackjack
Blackjack origins started in France in the 17th century. It was coined the term vingt-et-un, which means 21 in the French language. It wasn’t well spread across the world until the 18th century. It took some time to become popular in the United States. The reason it was named blackjack was because if the player received a jack of spaded and an ace of spades, in their very first hand the player would be rewarded. Blackjack is one of the few card games which have been through a lot of drama in the gambling industry. It has been legal for a few years, then illegal for the next and so on. This game has really been put through some serious scrutiny over the past 100 years.
Many blackjack players think they have found the secret to cracking the game’s code. For hundreds of years there have been writers and players who believe their strategy will make them rich. This is not necessarily the case. Casinos spend a great deal of money to make sure these strategists, card counters and cheaters are challenged. Unlike poker, the card game of blackjack has gone through more rule changes than any other game. It seems like every single casino have their own specific set of rules. Blackjack was never really designed to become a wildly popular casino game. It was more just for fun, nothing serious and the game was never really intended to be a gambling casino game.
Blackjack was always considered an underground game. It is not just as popular as poker. This game is perfect for players who enjoy interaction with the dealers. For years, may people have regarded this game as a science. Many fortunes were won and even more fortunes were lost due to this game. If you are interested in learning more about blackjack and the culture surrounding it, check out the book Ken Ustons, “Journey into the World of Blackjack.” This book gives readers a true insight to the way blackjack ticks. If you are looking to educate yourself about blackjack, this book is helpful.