» 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 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. Blackjack was played at nearly every casino and gambling house. 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. Roger Baldwin explained how to reduce the “House”, or casino, advantage based upon probability and statistics. 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. 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 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. Braun’s updated strategies and card counting systems were included in the second edition of “Beat the Dealer”. 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. 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. Blackjack is played on a semicircular shaped table. The blackjack tableis covered by a green or blue colored felt. The blackjack table has seven places for players. The dealer stands behind the table. The dealer deals cards in a clockwise direction from one or multiple decks. 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, $5. 00. Maximum bets are generally $500. 00. 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. 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 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. When using four or more decks, the cards are often dealt face up both in European and American casinos.   Bets And the Deal

» 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. The use of special signals is preferred in most casinos. Using signals speeds up the game. Using signals is a form of international communication. If your cards are dealt face up, the dealer will automatically recognize the blackjack. The most common decision you will have to make is whether to stand or to hit. 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. If you want to accommodate and signal your split intention, you have to place another bet, equal to your initial bet, alongside your initial bet. 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. With "double down" you double your original wager. When you double down, you are dealt only one additional card to your hand. 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 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. "Late Surrender" doesn't allow the player to surrender until the dealer has ascertained that he does not have a blackjack Surrender

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