Blackjack is undeniably the most highly demanded of all table games with its availability being in nearly every online and brick and mortar casinos. Like most other classic sets that have been around for a long time, the origin of this game is unclear.
This vague nature is contributed to by the fact that blackjack was not the invention of a single entity such as in the case of roulette. Rather, the game has evolved to become the blackjack that is enjoyed today.
Among the theories that explain the origin of Blackjack can be traced back to the Romans, who are well-known for their gambling habits. During the time, wooden planks with different values were used in the place of cards.
The Spanish also had a similar game that was labelled One and Thirty, where players were tasked with acquiring a value of thirty-one or close to it using only three cards.
The variation that is closest to the blackjack game enjoyed today is Twenty-One which has its roots in seventeenth-century France.
Like most other casino games that were popular in the region at the time, blackjack did not see the outside world up until the French Revolution, and it has since been revised to provide numerous variations.
Blackjack has managed to maintain its popularity among punters for such a long period due to some upsides which include the following.
- Ease of gameplay
Most table games are associated with the use of skill aside from the dependency on luck to land winnings. Online blackjack displays one of the more straightforward procedures of play, which makes it easy for both new and seasoned players.
Therefore, it maintains the fun element of gameplay even with the application of skill to win. During play, punters are tasked with acquiring a card value of twenty-one or one close to it before the dealer.
All variations of the game apply this rule even with some revisions applying to others. Punters should note that this game still depends on luck to land wins and the results are not usually predictable.
- Easy access
Being the most played table game across the globe, it goes without saying that blackjack is a keen focus for most online gaming software developers.
This variation can be found in nearly all casinos that offer a table games category and in several variations. The option is granted in both online and live dealer lobbies.
The popularity of blackjack also demands its provision in mobile casinos. Due to the rise of mobile gadgets as the primary access platforms for online casinos, most gaming companies and casinos make their software compatible with their OS. Some of the most popular OS considered include iOS, Windows, and Android.
- Low house edge
When gambling, the house always has the upper hand over punters. Blackjack carries the lowest house edges in most casinos, which leaves gamers with favourable chances of walking away with wins. In some cases, the odds can be as low as the 0.1, leaving gamers with a Return to Player rate of 99.9 per cent.
- Freedom to play as long as desired
Some games such as poker are known to drag on for as long as hours, which makes it cumbersome for gamblers looking for fast gameplay. With free online blackjack, the results of each hand take only a few seconds, and bettors can play as many hands as possible.
Once one is tired or pleased with their results, they can collect their chips and walk away. Therefore, gameplay can take only a few minutes or as many hours as desired depending on the player.
How to Play Blackjack?
Blackjack boasts one of the simplest gameplay procedures among other casino sets. The basic rule of the game demands that gamblers try to achieve a card value close or equal to twenty-one before the dealer.
If a higher value is landed, the punter or dealer busts, which means they automatically lose. The chances of busting when another card is dealt for some numbers are as follows:
Lower than 11 and 11 | Zero per cent |
Twelve | 31 per cent |
Thirteen | 39 per cent |
Fourteen | 56 per cent |
Fifteen | 58 per cent |
Sixteen | 62 per cent |
Even with the numerous variations that have cropped up over the years, nearly all of them have maintained this rule of play. Some key elements to pay attention to during the gameplay include the described below.
- Card decks used
When the blackjack game was fresh on casino floors and online platforms, a single deck of fifty-two cards was used.
However, due to the prevalence of the counting cards technique by a lot of players, most blackjack games use more than one deck, and the cards used can go higher than four hundred in some games.
Some online casinos, however, maintain the use of a single deck of cards and reshuffle them after each hand. A single deck has fifty-two cards.
- Soft seventeen
In most variations, the dealer is required to stand on soft seventeen, which is acquired by an Ace and seven. Hitting after this value is allowed in some games, which raises the house edge slightly.
- Doubling
Most blackjack versions allow doubling, but the action is limited to only a few variations. Depending on the incidences where the action is approved, the house edge can increase by as much as 0.18.
- Doubling after split
This action is allowed in a few blackjack variations, which lets punters double their bet amount after splitting their cards. This option is an upside for punters, and its strips about 0.15 per cent off the house edge when allowed.
- Resplitting
Resplitting is not common with most blackjack games since it raises the advantage for players significantly. If it is provided, players are allowed to split their cards once more after the initial split.
- Dealer peeks
If the dealer receives an ace or ten as their exposed card, they are given a chance to check if the down-facing card results in an ace. If it does, the round ends immediately.
Closing Thoughts
Like most other casino games, blackjack can be played in both free and real money modes. iOS and Android applications are also provided for those who enjoy download play along with instant play variations for those who prefer no download gameplay.
An apk kit facilitates the Android downloads. Register in some of our recommended casinos to get both the download and no download options to play and collect real money wins.