Blackjack games date back to the 17th century. Known initially as Ving-et-un, French for 21, Blackjack has come a long way from its origins in French society. Compared to most table games, Blackjack, or simply known as 21, is one of the easiest table games for new players to master and, most importantly, enjoy.
Mastering Blackjack involves more than learning the odds and the different payouts. It calls for understanding the essential terms and lingo. This blackjack guide breaks down all of the essential blackjack terms for new and veteran players.
Introduction to Blackjack
As we mentioned earlier, Blackjack is one of the simplest card games to play and enjoy. The dealer issues two cards face up to each player. In between passing cards to the player, the dealer also passes themselves two cards, with the first card left face up. The goal is to get to 21, which is possible with the first two cards, or to strategically hit and stand to have the highest hand possible, greater than the dealer’s, without going over 21.
The Evolution of Blackjack Games
For the most part, Blackjack games have remained mostly consistent in the gameplay. However, with the rise of technology and online casinos, Blackjack continues to undergo many positive transformations. Online Blackjack offers many more exciting and rewarding variants with additional betting options.
Understanding Blackjack Jargon
Blackjack is a truly elegant table game with simple rules. Before planning your blackjack strategy or chart, become familiar with these essential terms.
- Natural Blackjack: This is where the player or dealer automatically wins from their first two cards because it adds up to 21.
- Soft 17: In most variants, the dealer must stand on a soft 17, meaning that if they have an ace or a six, they can’t draw an additional card.
- Hit: This is when the player or the dealer draws a third card to increase their playing hands.
- Stand: This is where the player or the dealer doesn’t draw an additional card.
- Double Down: This is when the player hits for one final card in the playing hand. However, the player must match their initial bet.
- Split: Most blackjack variants support splitting pairs into two independent playing hands.
- Surrender: For blackjack games that support surrender, players can fold their hands to prevent losing their entire bet.
- Upcard: This is the card the dealer has left face up for the players to see.
Types of Blackjack Games
While Blackjack might not have as many variants as poker, it does mix things up with these common variants.
- Classic Blackjack: This is the most traditional blackjack variant. Getting a natural blackjack results in a 3:2 payout.
- American Blackjack: For the most part, American Blackjack follows the traditional rules of Classic Blackjack and all the payouts. However, the dealer can check their upcard and hole card in this variant to see if they have Blackjack.
- European Blackjack: This variant is virtually identical to American Blackjack with all the rules and payouts. However, in European Blackjack, the dealer only checks their cards until all the players have made their moves. Also, European Blackjack doesn’t usually support early surrender.
- Spanish 21: This unique blackjack variant doesn’t feature tens in the playing deck. While it is more challenging to form blackjack hands, the payout ratios can go as high as 6:5 if you do get it.
- Atlantic City Blackjack: This popular variant supports playing Blackjack with six to eight decks.
Betting Terminology
Blackjack doesn’t involve complex winning combinations like poker. However, the wise player studies and understands these essential blackjack betting terms.
- RTP: The return to the player is the percentage of the bets that a player can expect to get back. The usual RTP standard for blackjack games begins at 99%.
- House Edge: The house edge, otherwise known as the house advantage, is the overall percentage that the house keeps from the player’s wagers. More often than not, the house always wins.
- Betting Strategy: Depending on your comfort and experience level, some blackjack players use tested betting strategies like The Martingale to help them make bets.
- Strategy Chart: Because Blackjack calls for players to hit and stand based on their playing hands and the dealer’s upcard, some players build a strategy chart to help them.
Side Bets
Thanks to the rise of online Blackjack, many of today’s variants support side bets such as:
- Insurance: If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, the player might have the option of purchasing insurance to help prevent big losses.
- 21-3: Based on three-card poker, this side bet lets the player gamble on whether the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard form a poker-winning combination like flushes and straights.
- Royal Match: This ambitious side bet allows players to gamble on their first two cards, which are from the same suit.
Conclusion
Thanks to the abundance of retail casinos and the rise of real money and social casinos, there are 24/7-accessible casinos near you where you can fall in love with Classic Blackjack and its popular variants. Thanks to elite software providers like Evolution Gaming, blackjack players can take their game to a new and challenging level with live dealer opt
