Written by Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world. Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish author who wrote Don Quixote, also wrote in 1601/2 a short story called Rinconete y Cortadillo. In it the two characters played a card game called Ventiuna, an almost identical game to Blackjack. So we can date the game back at least 400 years.
The name Blackjack is relatively new and refers to the practice, in the early days of casinos, of awarding a bonus payment to anyone holding the Ace of Spades and a black Jack (Spades or Clubs).
It has many different forms and rules depending on where you live. At its most basic it is played with a deck of fifty-two cards against the dealer. Two cards are dealt to each player including the dealer and the aim is to get as close to or exactly to the total of twenty one, simultaneously retaining a better hand than the dealer. Extra cards can be delivered during the course of the game and money is almost always won and lost. Around the world it is known by other other names including Vingt et Un (France) and Pontoon (UK). The best Blackjack hand is an ace followed by a card with a ten value.
In it’s most common form, each player and the dealer receives two cards face up on the table to begin. The dealer has one card face up, the the other down. Each player now makes a choice whether to:
Hit (take another card, a player can take a hit as many times as they want until a total of 20)
Stand/Stick (take no more cards)
Double Down (double the original bet – on the first hand only)
Split (split two cards of equal value and double the bet placing an identical bet on either card)
Surrender (surrender the hand – losing half the original stake).
When all choices are made, the dealer reveals his face down card and either Hits to improve his hand or Stands. Hands better than the dealers win. A tie usually results in the stake being returned. A Blackjack beats all other hands.
