Blackjack History
Blackjack started in France in the early 18th century and was originally called: ”vingt-em-un” ("twenty-one"). The game arrived to the U.S in the 19th century and the name was changed to Blackjack because of the winning combination between Jack and the black suit of Spades when players held a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades.

Blackjack is easy to learn due to its simplicity which contributed to its popularity among gamblers around the world. However, there are a number of strategies that can help raise wining odds. The game uses a set of 52 cards and is played against the dealer.

Blackjack Rules
Values of cards:
King, Queen, Jack and 10 = 10
2-9 = Face value
Ace = 11 or 1

The player wins if the total value of his cards is either 21 or closer to 21 (not exceeding 21) than those held by the dealer. When the total value exceeds 21, it is called a "bust," and it loses automatically. If the player’s and the dealer’s total card value is the same, (17 and up) neither wins and the bet is returned in a "push".

When the first dealt cards total 21, it is called a natural Blackjack and it wins the player one and a half times the bet. A blackjack beats anything but another blackjack. If you have a blackjack, and the dealer has 3 cards that add up to 21, you still win the hand even though you both have hands valued at 21.

Winning Payouts
Winning Hand 1 to 1
Blackjack 3 to 2
Insurance 2 to 1

Game Process
One to seven players can take part in Blackjack. Two cards are dealt to each player (one at a time) and the dealer dealing to him/herself last with one card face down.

The dealer reveals his hand when all players “stand” (choose not to take cards). The dealer MUST “hit” (add a card) until a total value of at least 17 and CANNOT “hit” when the value is between 17 and 21. If the dealer goes over 21 while taking additional cards, he "busts," and automatically loses then all players that are still in the game win.

Game Options
Split:
When first two cards posses the same value, the player may “split” them into two separate hands by doubling the original bet. Player then proceeds to draw cards. If two aces are split only one additional card can be drawn for each. And if two aces are split and the value totals 21, the payout is counted as 21 and not blackjack. Any two ten value cards can be split. Splitting 10’s is not recommended, but always split Aces and 8s. Some casinos, however, have limits on re-splitting.

Double:
After the player is dealt with two cards, the original bet can be doubled your bet. This is also known as “doubling down” and the player is allowed to receive only one more card after doing so and cannot “stand”. The casino house rules vary for doubling down. Some allow “doubling down” on any two card total and some only on 10 or 11. Furthermore, some casinos do not allow “doubling down” after splitting hands.

Insurance:
Insurance is intended to protect the player when the dealer seems to have blackjack by placing half of the original bet as an insurance. If the dealer has blackjack, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance. If the dealer has any other total value, the player loses the insurance bet.