» 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”. 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. For some time casinos and gambling houses were forbidden. In the Western part of the USA gambling was legal from the 1850’s to 1910. When casino gambling was legalized Blackjack became one of the most popular games. Casino gambling and Blackjack were very popular. 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”. “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack” was written by Roger Baldwin. In “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack” Roger Baldwin wrote about some strategies. “Beat the Dealer” was published in 1962 by the Mathematics Professor Edward O. Thorp. It was Edward O. Thorp who developed and wrote about the first card counting systems. A lot of people read books about casinos, casino games and gambling. After “Beat the Dealer” was published much more people began to play at casinos. People wanted to implement Thorp’s strategy. When Blackjack rules were changed in some casinos most people stopped playing Blackjack. Thorp’s book ended up making money for casinos, as it increased the amount of Blackjack being played. Thorp’s strategy seemed complicated and difficult for some players. Julian Braun was one of the most important contributors to modern Blackjack strategy. Thorp’s code. Blackjack History

» The Card Values. The numbered cards (2-10) have a numerical value equal to the number printed on the card. All face cards (Jack, Queen and King) as well as Tens have the value of ten. Aces may be counted as either eleven or one. In blackjack card suits are of no importance. The value of the ace seems to confuse some players under the "heat of the action" Card Value in Blackjack

» Bets and the Deal. Blackjack is played on a semicircular shaped table. The blackjack tableis covered by a green or blue colored felt. The dealer stands behind the table. The dealer deals cards in a clockwise direction from one or multiple decks. After shuffling all cards thoroughly, the dealer will give one of the players a plastic card. 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. On the sign minimum and maximum bets allowed will be posted. 00, $2. 00, $10. 00 or $100. Maximum bets are generally $500. 00 or $5,000. 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. At the outset of each hand, you have to place your bet in the square on the table directly in front of your seat. When all the bets are made all players and the dealer are dealt two cards each. 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. 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 there are four or more decks, the cards are dealt face up from a "shoe". The shoe is a plastic box which sits on the table holding the portion of the deck remaining to be dealt. The shoe provides the dealer with a convenient way to handle four or more decks. The shoe makes it more difficult for a dealer to cheat by dealing a card other than the bottom card. The house has one more advantage when dealing from the shoe. The more decks a house plays, the more favorable the odds become for the house against the card counters. Dealing cards face up prevents some forms of cheating by the players.   Bets And the Deal

» Game Rules and Signals. Blackjack is an international game. In some casinos neither dealers nor players say anything during the game. The use of special signals is preferred in most casinos. 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. 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. When you split, you play two individual hands. Many casinos allow you to split any pair combinations. 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. When you double down, you are dealt only one additional card to your hand. To signal the intention of doubling down, you have to pay another bet equal to your first bet. 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. Hole Card is a dealer's down card, which isn’t shown to the players. Shoe is a plastic box, which stands on the table and from which the players receive cards.  ‘To cut the deck’ means ‘to insert a plastic card into a deck’ Blackjack Terminology

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United Kingdom Blackjack Directory featuring reviews of the blackjack casinos, rules, tips, bets, bonuses and blackjack strategies for players of United Kingdom