Why is blackjack so called? The objective of the game is to make a hand which comes as close to a numerical score of 21 without exceeding it, and achieving 21 in just two cards is possible if you are dealt an ace and a picture card or a ten. If you succeed in doing this, then you have made what is called a blackjack and, assuming that the dealer does not also have a blackjack, you are paid out at 3 to 2.

But the name still does not make sense. The cards do not need to be black, and you do not need to hold a jack, so why not simply call the game twenty one as it was originally when invented in Europe or even pontoon as it became known in the UK?

The reason that it is called blackjack relates to an old rule which is now defunct as it gives too much of an advantage to the player and can create a negative house edge. Originally, as well as what is today known as a blackjack, there used to be another special hand which consisted of the ace of spades and a black jack, either spades or clubs. This was paid out at a remarkable 10 times the original stake.

The online version of modern blackjack is no different from that played at live casinos apart from one very important feature. In live blackjack the cards are dealt from a shoe consisting of a number of card decks; perhaps four, six or eight. This means that each hand and each round is not a completely independent event for every time a card is dealt, the shoe has been depleted of that card. This means that card counters are able to assess when the structure of the deck is more conducive to a player winning and when the dealer is more likely to win. Thus by increasing the size of the bet when the shoe favours the player, the player can gain an edge over the house.

In online blackjack the cards are electronically shuffled, or randomised, after every round so as a result the cards do not carry any historical information and so card counting is pointless.

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It is often said that Blackjack is the only game where the player can have an edge over the house. Perhaps it is true in special circumstances such as in card counting scenarios in live games, but in online casinos where card counting will not buy you an advantage, there will always be a house edge, though by playing correctly you can minimise it sufficiently to win regularly.

In future articles we will look into how to play optimally and use what has become known as Basic Strategy, but in this introduction we will concentrate on the fundamental mechanics of the game.

The dealer deals from a shoe containing several packs of cards. Players place their bets and are dealt two cards, both face up. The dealer’s two cards are dealt one face up and one face down. Once the deal has commenced the bets are fixed though Double Downs, Splits, and Insurance can be added to the bet during play.

The objective is to get as close to 21 as possible without going but (exceeding 21) and you win if your total is higher than that of the dealer. If you make 21 with two cards then that is a Blackjack and, unless the dealer has one too, it pays out at 1.5 to 1. This is achieved with an Ace plus a ten or a face card.

When it is your turn you can stand (not accept any more cards) or accept as many cards (hits) as you wish. If you bust you lose automatically.

When all the players have completed their play it is the dealer’s turn. The dealer must hit if she has less than 17 until she has at least 17. If the dealer busts everybody who is still in wins otherwise she pays every hand that is better than hers. If hands are the same count, it is a push and bets remain on the table.

Additionally you can double down, in which you double your bet and receive one face up card; split a pair and play as separate hands; take insurance (against the dealer having Blackjack) if you see the dealer with an Ace. Insurance will cost you half your original bet. If the dealer has a Blackjack then you get paid at 2 to 1.

Later we will deal with basic strategy and as an introduction to this: the first thing to learn is to NEVER take insurance. Other casino games than blackjack? log on to http://www.onlineroulette.org.uk and explore the possibility!