Blackjack: a timeless adventure of cards and probability

Blackjack is a classic card game that became known worldwide for its simple rules and the excitement associated with it. Along with Roulette, it is one of the most popular table games so definitely a game not to be missed. Let's look at the origins of blackjack is and how the favorite game of many became so popular.

The origins of Blackjack

Blackjack's origins go deep back in time, and although its exact origins are unclear, it is believed that the game originated in the French casinos of the 18th century. Originally known as "Vingt-et-Un," French for 21, the game quickly found its way into the aristocratic salons of Europe. Its simple mix of excitement and strategy quickly made it popular with a large mass of players.

The evolution through the years

As Blackjack found its way across the Atlantic to the United States, it underwent some significant changes. In America, it was named Blackjack because of a special rule that gave players an extra quick payout if their first two cards were a black jack and an ace. Although this rule disappeared over the years, the name stuck and Blackjack grew to become one of the most popular casino games worldwide and in our dice casinos.

The 1960s marked a turning point for Blackjack in the United States. The game came to prominence thanks to books such as "Beat the Dealer" by Edward O. Thorp. Thorp introduced revolutionary ideas about strategies for Blackjack such as card counting, which allowed players to gain a statistical advantage over the casino. These revelations brought about a surge of interest and popularity for the game, changing the image of Blackjack from a pure game of luck to one that involved skill and strategy.

Card counting and casino response

With the rise of card counting, the popularity of Blackjack grew to unprecedented heights. Casinos, however, were not happy with the idea that players could simply gain an advantage, and began taking countermeasures. Some measures were quickly introduced such as the use of multiple decks of cards in one game and frequent shuffling of the cards. Still, Blackjack's popularity remained intact.

Variants of Blackjack

What many people do not realize, however, is that there are different variants of Blackjack. They don't differ much from the traditional version, but even small changes bring a completely new dimension to the game. So always carefully read in advance the specific rules of Blackjack so you know exactly what to expect.

Traditional blackjack

Blackjack is played with the goal of achieving a hand value as close to 21 as possible, without exceeding it. It begins with players placing their bets before the dealer deals two cards. After this, each player receives two face-up cards and the dealer himself receives one face-up. Card values are simple, number cards retain their nominal value and face cards (jack, queen, king) are worth 10 points each. Aces can be 1 or 11 points, whichever is more favorable. Players have choices such as "hit" (take an additional card), "stand" (be satisfied with the current hand), "double down" (double the bet and take only one additional card), and "split" (divide two cards of equal value into two separate hands). Once all players have determined their actions, the dealer receives another face-up card. After this, the dealer plays according to specific rules and the hand that comes closest to 21 without busting wins.

Multihand Blackjack

Multi-hand Blackjack is a variant of the traditional Blackjack game in which players have the option of playing multiple hands simultaneously. Instead of only one hand per round, multihand Blackjack allows players to decide to participate in the game with two, three or even more hands simultaneously.

The basic rules of multihand Blackjack are similar to those of the classic version. The goal remains to form a hand with a total value as close to 21 as possible, without exceeding it, while beating the dealer's hand.

American Blackjack

In American Blackjack, four to eight decks of 52 cards are usually used. Unlike the traditional version, the dealer receives two cards at the beginning of the game, with one card shown face up and the other remaining a closed card (hole card). Players have the option of taking insurance if the dealer's open card is an ace.

In addition, some versions of American Blackjack may allow players to double down after splitting their cards. The rules regarding "surrender" can also vary, with some casinos offering this option to withdraw and keep half the bet.

Pontoon

In Pontoon, a popular variant that came over from the United Kingdom, the dealer's cards are displayed face down. This makes it difficult for players to estimate the dealer's hand. Moreover, the five-card hand, known as a "Pontoon," is valued higher than a regular blackjack, making the game more dynamic.

A game for the ages

Blackjack vertelt een verhaal van eenvoud, spanning en evolutie. Wat begon als een kaartspel in de chique salons van Frankrijk heeft zich ontwikkeld tot een wereldwijd fenomeen. Speel Blackjack bij PepperMill Casino, maar als je op zoek bent naar een alternatief kan je steeds onze populaire dice games of dice slots proberen.

Blackjack tells a story of simplicity, excitement, and evolution. What began as a card game in the posh salons of France has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon. Play Blackjack at PepperMill Casino, but if you're looking for an alternative you can always try our popular dice games or dice slots.