» Blackjack History The origin of the game Blackjack is still discussed. Some people believe that Blackjack is based on some European card games. 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” come to the United States in the 19th century and were very popular. In the Western part of the USA gambling was legal from the 1850’s to 1910. 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. In 1956 the first article about Blackjack was printed. 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. Thorp. 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. When Blackjack rules were changed in some casinos most people stopped playing Blackjack. Casinos had to change Blackjack rules back to attract players. Thorp’s strategy seemed complicated and difficult for some players. 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

» The Card Values. All face cards (Jack, Queen and King) as well as Tens have the value of ten. In blackjack card suits are of no importance. The value of the ace seems to confuse some players under the "heat of the action". It si up to you to decide how to value aces. You can count the ace as eleven until a count of eleven will put your hand over twenty-one, then you can count the ace as one Card Value in Blackjack

» Soft and Hard Hands. Aces can be valued differently. If you have an ace in your hand that counts as eleven, you have what is known as a "soft hand". If you hold no aces or have an ace in your hand that counts as one, you have a "hard hand". If you have a soft hand, you hold a distinct advantage over the dealer Soft and Hard Hands in Blackjack

» Game Rules and Signals. Blackjack is an international game. In some casinos neither dealers nor players say anything during the game. Using signals is a form of international communication. The signals help to avoid noise. If you are dealt a blackjack and your cards are dealt face down, you have to signal a blackjack by placing your cards face up in front of your bet. The most common decision you will have to make is whether to stand or to hit. If your cards have been dealt face down, you may hold your cards in one hand only. If you want to signal a stand, you have to slide the corner of your cards face down under your bet. If you want to signal a hit, you have to wait until the play comes to you then simply scrape the bottom of the cards lightly against the table toward you. If your cards have been dealt face up, your stand and hit signals are made with your hand. To indicate a stand you have to move your hand left to right, in a flat, palm down position about two inches over your cards. To indicate a hit you have to tap the table next to your cards with your finger tips or you have to place your hand near your cards and move your finger tips toward you. If the first two cards dealt to you are cards of equal value, you may "split" the pair combination. If your cards have been dealt face down, you have to place one card, face up, in front of each bet. If your cards were dealt face up, then the dealer, upon seeing your second bet, will split your cards for you. When you split, you play two individual hands. Some casinos don't allow to split aces. Most casinos that do allow splitting of aces will only allow one card to be dealt to each split ace. Some casinos allow multiple splits if the second card dealt to either hand has a value equal to the first card.   You may "double down" on a hand which consists of two cards. If your cards have been dealt face down, you have to place them face up in front of your doubled bet. Some casinos restrict the double down option. Some casinos don't allow doubling down on split hands. Some casinos can permit doubling down when the total value of your two cards is ten or eleven. Blackjack Rules And Signals

» Push happens if the hand value of the dealer and of the player is equal. If there is a ‘Push’ nobody wins and nobody loses. You have a bust it the total of your hand goes over 21.  ‘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. You can contact the support center via email, chat or telephone. 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. Strike It Lucky pretty much covers the full range of payment options available online. Strike It Lucky utilizes a 128-bit security. 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.