Blackjack is probably the oldest gambling game in the world that is still played today, testimony to its vice like grip on the imaginations of gamblers throughout the centuries. The first direct mention of a game that resembled Blackjack was by Miguel de Cervantes back in the 16th Century, however most historians would agree that it was being played even way before this.
Blackjack, therefore, occupies a special place in the gambling world, and it is for this reason that many people use it as their first point of call when going gambling. It is also a lot easier to employ a variety of tactics and strategies with Blackjack, mainly because there are always a finite number of cards in play. Read ahead and learn how to play Blackjack, its rules and strategy.
Basic rules of Blackjack
So, first and foremost it is important to know the basic rules of Blackjack, as your gambling session probably won’t be very successful without this knowledge. The number one goal during Blackjack is to get as close to the number 21 as possible with your cards, however one thing to make sure you bare in mind is that if your hand exceeds 21 you will go bust and lose.
Blackjack is always played against a dealer, so it is their hand against yours. You will also need to know the basic vocabulary when playing, here are a few key ones:
- Hit: If you require another card during the game of Blackjack you must hit.
- Stand: This is where you will refrain from obtaining any more cards.
Betting systems
Right then, that’s the basics out of the way, now it’s time to explore some of the more advanced strategies when it comes to trying to win at Blackjack. First off, it is very important to make sure you are using the right betting systems when gambling at this game.
For example, many people praise the Martingale strategy, but the reality is that this tactic can often leave you with huge losses. Our recommendation is to find a few different betting strategies and blend them together, therefore getting the best of both worlds.
Splitting your 10s: A good idea?
If you are dealt two 10s in a game of Blackjack you are given the option to split this into two separate hands, something that many first time players do without thinking as it appears to increase the odds.
Although it can be a good idea to split your 10s in certain scenarios, by and large it is something that most experienced Blackjack gamblers actually end up ignoring.
Counting cards
If you are genuinely committed to winning at Blackjack you might want to learn the art of counting cards, although you will need to make sure you are mathematically astute enough to do this as well.
As there are a finite number of cards during Blackjack it is possible to accurately estimate what cards are left in the deck, and this is the essential crux of counting cards.
