» Blackjack History The origin of the game Blackjack is still discussed. 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. 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. 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. Mr Braun improved Dr. Braun’s updated strategies and card counting systems were included in the second edition of “Beat the Dealer” Blackjack History

» 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. 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. Blackjack is played on a semicircular shaped table. 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. On the sign minimum and maximum bets allowed will be posted. Minimum bets are usually $1. 00, $2. 00, $10. 00, $25. 00 or $100. 00. 00, $1,000. 00 or $5,000. 00. Minimum and maximum bets higher through special arrangements with the house. Sometimes you can make bets with cash. Chips can be purchased at the tables. If you want to cash your chips you must go to the Cashier. 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". 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 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

» Insurance. The insurance option is simply another form of wager that is offered to the players when the dealer has an ace showing. 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. 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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