Blackjack

HISTORY
The actual birthplace of Blackjack is somewhat hazy, but it is thought to have probably stemmed from such French games such as "chemin de fer" and "French Ferme". Some claim Blackjack originated in French casinos in the early 1700s where it was called "vingt-et-un" ("twenty-and-one"). It has been played in the U.S. since the 1800's.

THE NAME
The game was christened 'Blackjack' because if a player held a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades as the first two cards, the player was paid out extra. So with Spades being black and Jack being a vital card - Blackjack was born!

BASIC RULES … VALUES
Cards are counted at the value nominated on their face, with picture cards all valued at 10 and Ace at 11:
1=1
2=2
3=3
4=4
5=5
6=6
7=7
8=8
9=9
10=10
J=10
Q=10
K=10
A=11 or 1

BASIC RULES … PLAY

The object of Blackjack is to get your cards to add up to a total as close to 21 as possible without going over (or 'busting') or to have higher numbers than the dealer. Rules can vary from casino to casino, but these are the basic guidelines to follow:

1. Between one and seven players can take part in any hand of
Blackjack. The players put an initial wager forward and two cards are dealt to each player (one at a time) with the dealer dealing him/herself last with one card face down.

2. You assess your cards total value and decide whether you need to take another card to boost your total ('hit' link here to page called 'the lingo') or take a punt on the tally you already have and hope others will 'bust' (this is called a 'stand' link here to page called 'the lingo').

3. When you draw an ace, you can decide whether it counts as 1 or 11.

4. When all the players stand, the dealer plays his own hand. The face down card is flipped over - the dealer must 'hit' until the total is 17 or above. Then the dealer has to stand. If the dealer busts, all players that are still in the game win. Between the players and the dealer, whoever is closer to 21 without going over wins. (The same chips are used for your next turn.)

5. Winnings are calculated on the amount of the bet for a winning hand. But if you have Blackjack - two cards totalling 21 - you win one-and-a-half times your wager. The only way you can lose with a blackjack hand is if the dealer has one, too.

BASIC RULES …TECHNIQUES
Splitting pairs: If your two cards are the same value, you can 'split' them into two separate hands. The catch is that you also have to make two bets (one for each of the hands you now hold). Each split pair can be split again, for a total of four hands. If you split on an ace, you can only take one hit, but for all other cards you can take as many hits as you want.

Doubling down: When your total is 10 or 11 (after being dealt your first two cards) you can choose to 'double down'. This is starting a second bet (up to the same amount as your original wager). When doubling, you can only take one hit. (NB It is dangerous to split two fives - you are replacing a hand that is potentially excellent for drawing on or doubling down on, by what will probably be two poor hands.)

Insurance: If the dealer's face-up card is an ace, you can make a side bet. You can wager up to half your original bet that the facedown card is worth 10 or more (i.e. a picture card or a 10). If you are correct, and the dealer has a Blackjack, the player wins the side bet (the insurance bet) but loses the original bet. Therefore the player feels no net loss or gain. If it's not a face card or a 10, you lose the side bet or 'insurance'.

BASIC RULES: THE LINGO
First Base: the first seat on the dealer's left
Third Base: the first seat on the dealer's right.
Cut: where a player using the marker card, splits the shuffled pack
Wager: the amount bet on your hand (usually in casino chips)
Hit: where the player wants another card from the dealer. Usually indicated by pointing at the cards with a quick stabbing two times and nodding the head.
Stand: where you do not want another card added to your hand. Usually indicated by moving your flattened hand from left to right with your palm down, above the surface of the table, while shaking your head.

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