Blackjack – an All-Time Favourite

Undoubtedly, blackjack is among the most admired casino games in the world. That card game is so attractive mostly because of its simplicity. Blackjack can be drawn down easily and the victory is not just a matter of luck, especially for experienced players.

There are several versions for the origins of blackjack. Some people consider that the game derived from the French ‘vingt-et-un’, in the 17th century. Another theory leads to Spain and their ‘veintiuna’. In the 19th century, blackjack gained huge popularity in North America although it was banned at that time. Finally, in 1931, gambling was legalized in Las Vegas, Nevada. That place has become an iconic gaming destination, and blackjack has turned to one of the classics in the field.

Basic Gameplay Principles and Terms Explained

Although blackjack is an easy-to-play game it still requires using some kind of ‘tricks’. First, you need to learn the basics. The dealer is your only opponent and you need to accumulate a total of 21 points (or as close as possible to 21 points) to beat him/her. If you have more, you ‘bust’, which means the game is over. You should remember that you play to defeat the croupier and not get as close as possible to 21 points (that is a common mistake of beginners). In the end, you could win even with a hand of ten or eleven points. From 2 to 9, the cards are considered with their corresponding value. The 10, and the Face cards: Jack, Queen and King all bring you 10 points each. Ace can be counted as either 11 or 1 (depending on the player’s interest). In blackjack, there are three types of hands you can have:

• Blackjack – if your first two cards contain a card with a value of 10 (10, J, Q, K) and an Ace, it’s the perfect hand – the original blackjack.
• Hard hand – any hand containing cards different from an Ace. An example is a hand of 10-5.
• Soft hand – any hand with an Ace included.

If you are not ‘busted’ and your hand is greater than the dealer’s, you win 1:1. So, if you bet £5, you earn £5. In case the points are equal, there is no winner. After placing a wager, the croupier deals two cards for you and two for himself/herself. You have to decide: to get another card (‘hit’), to stay with the cards you have (‘stand’), to ‘split’ your hand, to double the bet (‘double down’), to insure it (‘insurance’) or to opt-out (‘surrender’). Here is a brief explanation of each option:

• ‘Hit’ – that means to request a new card from the dealer. He/she will give you as many cards as you want. When you have enough, it is better to pass.
• ‘Stand’ – you can do it at any time. If you are satisfied with the sum of your hand, then you should ‘stand’.
• ‘Double down’ – this option allows you to double your original bet but then you must take a card and ‘stand’ after that.
• ‘Insurance’ – you can make an ‘insurance’ bet if the croupier’s visible card is Ace. If the dealer has Blackjack, you win the insurance but you will lose the initial one.
• ‘Split’ – if you take two cards that have the same value, you can play with two hands. So the opportunity for you to win becomes bigger.
• ‘Surrender’ – opt out of the game and get half of your bet amount.

When you are done with your move, it’s the dealer’s turn. If his/her hand has fewer than 17 points, he or she must draw a card. If he/she has 17 or more, the points are compared and the winner is announced.

Popular Variations at Online Casino Sites

If you prefer a land-based instead of online casino, you will likely do it because of the real atmosphere there. Nowadays, more and more operators offers online live blackjack. You will enjoy the performance with a genuine dealer in real time. All the standard options available are included in the interface (such as ‘hit’, ‘stand’, etc.). After you press the selected button, the croupier sitting in front of the camera will accomplish the required action. No software is involved, a real person manages your blackjack game, just the way it would be in a brick and mortar casino. The most popular blackjack variations (different than the classic one) on the web are: BlackJack Surrender, Progressive BlackJack, Pontoon, BlackJack Switch, etc. We advise you always to check the limits of the tables before starting your game.

Blackjack Tips – a Guide for Beginners

All games of fortune require some extent of luck. In blackjack, however, the player’s correct decisions can keep the odds in his favour. The main goal of the strategy for beginners is to get 17+ points where the croupier exceeds 21 points. There are some helpful ‘rules’ you should remember.

Always click ‘hit’ in the following cases:

• Your hand totals 8 or 12-16 and the dealer’s visible card is 7,8,9,10
• Your hand is 11 and the dealer has an Ace
• The dealer’s face up card is 10 and you have a 10
• You have cards of total value of 9 and the dealer got 7, 8 or 9

Check out when it’s appropriate to ‘stand’:

• If your hand totals 17 or more
• When the dealer’s face up card is a 6 or less and your hand is 13 or more
• You have a split-able pair of 10s, Js, Qs, or Ks, don’t split them. It is better to ‘stand’

Virtual blackjack is a great chance to have lots of fun and win some money. Practice could make you a real expert in the area.

The Best Casinos to Play at

For sure, playing in a random online casino isn’t what you seek. It is necessary to gamble on a really good and reliable casino site, so you can feel the stunning thrills and pleasure from the game. To all blackjack fans we recommend they try out EuroGrand and William Hill.

EuroGrand Casino

Definitely, EuroGrand is one of the trustworthy operators out there. They offer a variety of exciting blackjack games such as Classic Blackjack, Blackjack Surrender, Blackjack Switch, Pontoon, Live Blackjack and many others. Most of the tables have limits of £5-£100 or £0.50-£30. You may choose the one which is suitable for you and your budget.
Once you head over to EuroGrand, you will be highly impressed by its elegant design and regular promotions. You simply need to download the Playtech-powered software (or visit the website of the casino). When you sign up and put at least £10 in your ‘real money’ account, you can receive a 100% match bonus up to £100. That is your ticket to the ‘borderless’ world of EuroGrand casino. You should wager your deposit plus the bonus amount at least 25 times to cash out your earnings. Most types of blackjack games available count towards the bonus at a rate of 20%.

William Hill Casino

William Hill can be really proud of their long-standing reputation. You will spend great time there with the blackjack variations offered. Classic Blackjack, Double Attack Blackjack, American Blackjack, Super 21 Blackjack, 21 Duel Blackjack, and Live Blackjack are just some examples. These slick games will provide you with a classy and unique feel. In fact, by this you will recognise their developer, namely Playtech. No matter if you are a beginner or a high-roller, you’ll find exactly what you need. Speaking about the welcome offers, a word is quite enough to describe them: generous. If you download the app, you become eligible for the so-called Platform First Deposit Bonus, which is 150% up to £200. You could also take advantage of the welcome bonus of up to £150. That offer is valid for both browser-based and downloadable versions of the casino. For the high-rollers (those of you who deposit bigger amounts, at least £1000) there is a separate ‘gift’ of up to £300. The minimum wagering requirement is to play the sum of your deposit and bonus 20 times. Blackjack games (excluding Blackjack Switch and Pontoon) contribute to the playthrough by 20%. The exceptions we have just mentioned count 5 % towards the conditions.

The Mobile Experience

Today, most operators have developed mobile versions, compatible with the common devices. You have the great possibility to play on the move whenever you feel like gambling. When it comes to blackjack games, you should see what 888Casino Mobile have prepared for you. Feel free to bet wherever you are, through the special Android casino application. All you have to do is head over to the mobile site, download the app and install it on your smartphone. 888 Mobile casino have one more surprise, which will catch your interest: Mobile Welcome Bonus up to £100. 888 casino mobile is worth giving at least a single try, isn’t it?