» Blackjack History The origin of the game Blackjack is still discussed. Some people believe that Blackjack is based on some European card games. 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. In Nevada gambling was illegal from 1910 to 1931. In 1931 gambling was legalized in Nevada. When casino gambling was legalized Blackjack became one of the most popular games. The most popular types of Blackjack were played with one or two decks. In 1956 the first article about Blackjack was printed. 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. 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. 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. Braun’s updated strategies and card counting systems were included in the second edition of “Beat the Dealer”. Blackjack History

» The Card Values. 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". 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

» Bets and the Deal. The dealer stands behind the table. After shuffling all cards thoroughly, the dealer will give one of the players a plastic card. 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. You will see a sign on the table. On the sign minimum and maximum bets allowed will be posted. Minimum bets are usually $1. 00, $2. 00, $5. 00, $10. 00, $25. 00 or $100. 00. Maximum bets are generally $500. 00, $1,000. 00. Minimum and maximum bets higher through special arrangements with the house. You can make your bets 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. 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 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 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. Blackjack has a fairly standardized set of rules and rule variations. In some casinos neither dealers nor players say anything during the game. The dealer and the players use special signals to show their playing intentions. Using signals speeds up the game. Using signals is a form of international communication. The signals help to avoid noise. 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 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. 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. 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. With "double down" you double your original wager. 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. 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. Doubling your wager add to your advantage. Blackjack Rules And Signals

» Surrender. The surrender rule allows you to surrender any two card hand along with one-half his original wager. Many casinos do not allow any form of surrender rule. "Early Surrender" allows a player to surrender his hand even before a dealer can determine whether he has a blackjack Surrender

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