Blackjack is a casino game in which you compete against the dealer to have a higher hand value than him, yet not surpass 21. While blackjack may initially seem difficult, with practice you can become proficient within two weeks. Many casinos provide training programs which teach basic strategies as well as local laws and regulations.
While learning the rules of blackjack is essential, understanding basic strategy will enable you to make better decisions at the table and increase your chances of winning and profits. By understanding all aspects of this game, your odds of victory increase substantially and profits increase too!
One common misperception about blackjack that could cost you money is that splitting pairs of aces or doubling down every hand will guarantee success in blackjack. While these may be sound strategies, winning in this form usually comes from unexpected sources such as splitting threes to get one hand that totals 21 without being considered a blackjack (payout-wise).
To play blackjack, a dealer must distribute each player two face up cards and allow them to decide between hitting or standing. If players decide to hit, additional cards will be dealt until their hand reaches 21 or busts; when this occurs, their bets will be collected by the dealer; should their hand beat that of the dealer they will get their original bet plus an equal payout on any side bets placed with them.
Beginners often assume a natural is the ideal blackjack hand. Unfortunately, this belief can be false as even if your first two cards contain an ace and 10 you still may lose to the dealer – in fact even with perfect blackjack hands, one and a half times your initial bet will only be returned as compensation!
Blackjack’s precise origins remain uncertain, though it is believed to have first originated in French casinos around 1700. Some speculate that its roots can be found in an earlier game called Vingt-et-Un (which translates as twenty-one). Popularity among miners during mining boom periods may have also played a factor.
In order to qualify as a blackjack dealer, a high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. Most dealers enroll in a gaming program offered by either a casino or vocational school that typically lasts six weeks and provides classroom instruction on casino games as well as local rules and regulations as well as practical experience at real casinos. Depending on your chosen casino, additional qualifications such as evening or weekend availability or knowledge of specific software that tracks wagers and payments may also be necessary.
