» Some people believe that Blackjack is based on some European card games. Blackjack have elements of French “Vingt-Un” (21), “Trente et Quarente” (20 and 30), “Chemin de Fer” (Railroad), Spanish “One and Thirty” and Italian “Baccara” and “Seven and a Half”. For some time casinos and gambling houses were forbidden. In Nevada gambling was illegal from 1910 to 1931. In 1931 gambling was legalized in Nevada. Casino gambling and Blackjack were very popular. Blackjack was played at nearly every casino and gambling house. The most popular types of Blackjack were played with one or two decks. The first article about Blackjack was titled “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack”. In “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack” Roger Baldwin wrote about some strategies. Roger Baldwin explained how to reduce the “House”, or casino, advantage based upon probability and statistics. “Beat the Dealer” was published in 1962 by the Mathematics Professor Edward O. It was Edward O. Thorp who developed and wrote about the first card counting systems. “Beat the Dealer” was one of the most popular books. After “Beat the Dealer” was published much more people began to play at casinos. People wanted to implement Thorp’s strategy. Some casinos changed Blackjack rules as Thorp’s strategy really worked. Casinos had to change Blackjack rules back to attract players. Julian Braun was one of the most important contributors to modern Blackjack strategy. Mr Braun improved Dr. Thorp’s code. Braun’s updated strategies and card counting systems were included in the second edition of “Beat the Dealer”. Troph, Braun and others made Blackjack very popular. Blackjack History

» Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. Those who play different casino games spend most of their time playing Blackjack. Blackjack rules are easy to understand and to learn. Blackjack gives the skilled player a consistent winning advantage over the house! A dealer and several players take part in Blackjack. Every player and the dealer have two cards each. Each player's hand is played against the dealer's hand only. The players don't play against each other. The objective of Blackjack is to Beat The Dealer! The most powerful hand possible is a hand value of twenty-one in your first two cards. An ace and a ten valued card will give you 21 or blackjack. When you receive a blackjack, the dealer will pay you three chips for every two that you have bet. If both you and the dealer have blackjacks your bet is simply retained by you. It is you who is to determine when to "hit" (take another card) and when to "stand" (stop taking cards). There are fixed rules governing the play for the dealer. If a player obtains a hand value less than or equal to twenty-one and greater than the dealer's hand value the a player wins an amount equal to his wager. A push bet is neither won nor lost. If both your hand and the dealer's hand is a bust, you lose your bet because the dealer always plays out his hand last. The dealer always plays out his hand last, which gives the dealer his greatest advantage over the players. Players have the advantage of flexible play. Players have four options. Players determine when to hit, when to stand, when to split (play two separate hands) and when to double down (double your wager in favorable situations) About Blackjack

» Bets and the Deal. The blackjack tableis covered by a green or blue colored felt. The blackjack table has seven places for players. The dealer deals cards in a clockwise direction from one or multiple decks. One of the players has to"cut" the deck wth the plastic card. To cut the deck, the player has to insert the plastic card into the deck. After shuffling and cutingt the deck, the dealer "burns" one to five cards immediately placing these unseen cards into the discard box before the deal of the first hand. You will see a sign on the table. Minimum bets are usually $1. 00, $2. 00, $5. 00, $25. 00 or $100. Maximum bets are generally $500. 00. Minimum and maximum bets higher through special arrangements with the house. You can make your bets with house chips. Sometimes you can make bets with cash. All winnings are paid with house chips. Chips can be purchased at the tables. If you want to cash your chips you must go to the Cashier. The dealer always deals his own cards face down. After the dealer has dealt everyone two cards, he will turn his first card face up for all to see. The dealer's other card, his face down card, is often referred to as his "hole card". After all players have played out their hands, the dealer will turn his hole card face up and, if necessary, hit his hand until he has a hand value of seventeen or more. When one or two decks are played, the dealer will deal from his hand and the player's cards will be dealt face down. When there are four or more decks, the cards are dealt face up from a "shoe". The shoe makes it more difficult for a dealer to cheat by dealing a card other than the bottom card. The more decks a house plays, the more favorable the odds become for the house against the card counters. When using four or more decks, the cards are often dealt face up both in European and American casinos. Dealing cards face up prevents some forms of cheating by the players.   Bets And the Deal

» Insurance. If you think that the dealer has a blackjack you can take the insurance. The insurance bet costs one-half your original wager, and the payoff is 2:1. If you win the insurance bet, the dealer will pay you by simply leaving your original wager on the table Insurance

» Blackjack Terminology. If there is a ‘Push’ nobody wins and nobody loses. You have a bust it the total of your hand goes over 21. Hole Card is a dealer's down card, which isn’t shown to the players.  ‘To cut the deck’ means ‘to insert a plastic card into a deck’. ’To burn after a cut’ means ‘to place up to 5 cards into the discard box before the deal’ Blackjack Terminology

Blackjack Casinos

If you are looking for a quick casino where you can avoid lengthy downloads and installations, you must play at Strike It Lucky Flash Casino. You will be playing your favorite games almost instantly! Bonuses, promotions, awesome graphics and a large variety of popular and rare games! The support staff will always be at hand. The support staff will answer all your questions and will help to solve all the problems. The simplicity and ease of the casino is combined with fast and professional service. It is certainly worth taking advantage of the great games offered at Strike It Lucky Casino. All players get free membership to CasinoRewards. CasinoRewards is the nets premier loyalty program. CasinoRewards is a widely recognized and professional group. There are also six other casinos in the group. Any VIP points that you earn can be redeemed at any of the casinos. Strike It Lucky pretty much covers the full range of payment options available online. Strike It Lucky utilizes a 128-bit security. The 128-bit security ensures that all transactions are totally secure. The customer support at Strike it Lucky is a credit to the casino! Strike It Lucky offers e-mail support, toll free numbers. The support staff is quick to answer your questions and available 24/7. Strike it Lucky uses the well-respected Microgaming software. The casino is fast and reliable

Excitement, fun and action of Las Vegas, but in the privacy and comfort of your own home! Zodiac Casino offers $10 free for downloading, and an additional $40 bonus on your first deposit of $100. Zodiac Casino offers amazing introductory offers and promotions. Zodiac Casino will start your luck by giving you $10 FREE just for downloading free casino software. Pleasant atmosphere, awesome graphics and our professional support service will make every your game unforgettable. All bonuses and promotions for Zodiac are handled by CasinoRewards. Casino Rewards is the most competitive online loyalty program. Membership to CasinoRewards is free and automatic when you register at Zodiac Casino. With Casino Rewards you get all bonuses, great weekly and monthly promotions into your account promptly. Zodiac Casino has a fresh, clean interface that is easy to use. VIPER will offer you the most realistic gaming experience available online. Zodiac Casino offers a wide range of payment options to all players. Payment options combat the problems that are becoming increasingly evident when making purchases at online casinos. At Zodiac Casino service is a priority for them. You can always rely on the support staff. The support center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The support staff will answer all your question and will help you if you have any problems. Table Games: Blackjack, Mulithand Blackjack, Sic-Bo, Craps, Baccarat, Roulette, Keno, Poker Pursuit. Video Pokers: Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Aces and Faces Poker. Multi-hand Power Pokers: Joker Poker, Tens or Better, Jacks or Better, Deuces Joker, Double Joker, Deuces Wild, Aces and Faces. Progressive Pokers: Supajax, Jackpot Deuces. Slots: Winning Wizards, Jackpot Express, Golden Dragon, Crazy Crocs, Goblins Gold, Party Time, Double Magic, Astronomical, Jurassic Jackpot, Cool Buck, Fantastic Sevens, Zany Zebra, Reels Royce, Flower Power, Totem Treasure, Jet Set, Cracker Jack, 5 Reel Drive, High 5. Progressive Table Games: Triple 7's progressive Blackjack, Progressive Cyberstud, Roulette Royale. Progressive Slots: CashSplash, WowPot, LotsaLoot, Fruit Fiesta, Treasure Nile, Major Millions.

Fortune Room Online Casino brings the classic Las Vegas experience right onto your desktop. You can play all the traditional casino games and some new ones from the comfort of your own home. The gambling environment is safe and secure. You get just what you'd expect from an established, reputable online casino: stability, reliability, security, integrity and consistent gambling pleasure. You will enjoy playing at our casino. The special programs will give you more advantages and opportunities. You will enjoy every game you play at the casino. Fair gaming, easy instructions and our help are main characteristics of the casino. Fortune Room guarantees that all its games are entirely fair. All payouts are subject to reviews by Independent auditors. Fortune Room uses only the latest commercially available security technology. The casino runs on the latest Microgaming software. Microgaming is the oldest and most trusted casino software provider. Download version or Flash instant play. if you decide to play a flash version it will take you a few minutes to start. You will be surprised at realistic 3D graphics, ambient sound and music. Players can be guaranteed that all transactions are completely safe. You can purchase casino credits with NETeller, Click2Pay, UseMyBank, Credit Card Deposits, Bank Wire-Transfer Deposits, NETeller InstaCash, Debit Card, Firepay Deposits. If you doubt the safety of your card or bank account, you can telephone your details through to the customer service agents on toll free lines. Video pokers: aces & faces poker, deuces & joker poker, deuces wild poker, double joker poker, jacks or better poker, joker poker, Louisiana double poker, tens or better poker. Slots: cosmic cat, double magic, fantastic 7's, fruit slots, jackpot express, jurassic jackpot, moon crazy, reels magic, reels royce, shark attack. Payout: 3rd party review for October 2002. All games - 97. 26%, Table games - 98. 19%.

In Vip Casino you can get up to $80 free. Play casino games online including Blackjack, Video Poker, Roulette and Slots at VIP Casino. 10% cash back up to $10000 if you don't win or 1% cash bonus on your winnings. Accumulate points for every bet you place, win or lose! On the 25th of each month Vip Casino converts your points into a CASH BONUS, which is credited to your account. There is a Cash Reward Program in Vip Casino. VIP Casino’s unique Cash Reward Program offers all its players Cash Back each month as long as they play. You have to choose a way you want to play games. You can use a free CD or flash version. You can purchase casino credits with NETeller, Click2Pay, UseMyBank, Credit Card Deposits, Bank Wire-Transfer Deposits, NETeller InstaCash, Debit Card, Firepay Deposits. If you doubt the safety of your card or bank account, you can telephone your details through to the customer service agents on toll free lines. The payouts are fast

AboutBlackjack.co.uk with reviews of the bets, blackjack strategies, rules, tips and bonuses for players of United Kingdom