Everything You Need to Know About Online Blackjack

Getting To Know About The Origins of Blackjack

Blackjack is a common and popular card game played by one or more players and a dealer, in which every single player, in turn, competes against the dealer rather than against each other. Blackjack is broadly played as a casino baking game worldwide with individual or extra decks of 52 cards.

There have been countless theories about the origins of the Blackjack card game. The oldest idea is that the Romans invented blackjack, and it was believed that Romans would play this game with wooden blocks of various numerical values. This theory holds some weight as Romans loved to gamble, but there is not much evidence for the idea.

Another known version of blackjack originated from Spain and was known as ‘One and Thirty. The rule for the Spanish version was to reach 31 with at least three cards.

Another popular origin for the Blackjack card game comes from French casinos in the 1700s, in which the game is known as ‘Vingt-et-Un’ which translates to ‘Twenty-One’. The popularity of the card game skyrocketed in 18th century America with the aid of French colonists.

‘Vingt-et-Un’ was not well-spread and developed in France in the 19th century, but the game would be found in New Orleans in 1820 in the legalised gambling halls. Many believed that the ‘Vingt-et-Un’ likely came from Chemin de Fer (a French card game) and French Ferme.

Out of the various versions of the game, ‘Vingt-et-Un’ or ‘21’ continued to grow in popularity over time. It is interesting to note that the rules were different from the blackjack rules we are familiar with, as, in earlier versions of Blackjack, the dealer is the only one who is allowed to double. In addition, a betting round was conducted between each of the playing cards dealt.

The card game was still named ‘21’ when it gained its fame in 1931, Nevada, the first state to legalise gambling. To attract more people to the game, certain casinos offered a particular bet at the time: A hand featuring either of the blackjacks (the Jack of Spades or that of Clubs) and the Ace of Spades would pay 10-to-1 odds on the player’s bet.

Even though casinos would later discontinue this particular layout, the trademark name ‘blackjack’ or ‘black jack’ remained and became the game that we know today.

The popular card game Blackjack has evolved over the years and continues to grow to this day with the help of the internet. Today, the online casino industry has developed different game versions to revolutionize the card game, such as Live Blackjack.

The Supreme Cheatsheet: How to Play the Perfect Blackjack

Blackjack, the heart of casino games regardless of live casinos or online casinos, is universally popular in gambling. Blackjack can come in different forms, such as live blackjack and online blackjack.

If you are new to the card game and you’re looking for some tips on how to understand and play the perfect blackjack, this article will come in handy for you.

The Layout of Blackjack Table

Blackjack is usually played on a semicircular table that can accommodate different players. For example, the most common blackjack tables allow seven players (otherwise known as seven “spots”), but there are also tables that only allow 5 players, while other tables have 12 spots. The blackjack dealer stands behind the table and chip rack, and the players sit on the other side.

The Blackjack Glossary

If you are not familiar with blackjack, you might often encounter various jargon when playing the card game online or online blackjack. Fear not; this shortlist will provide some of the most common words used in blackjack and their meaning.

• Blackjack: When the first two cards add up to 21, it is called a “blackjack”. The blackjack is also the most potent hand that hits a score of 21 and consists of 3 or more cards.
• Bet: The player bets by selecting the chip value they wish to bet.
• Deal: The player chooses to “Deal” to start the game and gets two cards to face up. The dealer would also receive two cards.
• Hit: If the player wishes to receive another card from the dealer, they may take a hit before standing at any time.
• Soft Ace:
  • If your two cards contain an ace, you can play with a higher or lower total.
  • Hence, if your hand is a six and an ace, you can choose to play your hand with a total value of seven or 17.
  • If you hit and your next card is a five, your current hand goes back to 12 because the 17 + 5 would make you bust and lose.
• Stand: If the player chooses not to take any extra cards.
• Push: When the value of the dealer’s cards (usually between the numbers 17 to 21) and the player’s cards are identical, neither party would win, resulting in a push. The player’s bet is given back to the player.
• Split:
  • If you have two cards of the same value, you have the choice to split, evening your initial wager. Now you are divided into two separate hands and can take cards as usual.
  • It is important to note that there is an exception when splitting A-A in that only one bonus card is distributed per ace and a hand 21 after you have divided aces only counts as 21, not blackjack.
• Surrender/Late Surrender:
  • When the player hits the surrender button, they will receive only half of their current bet, whereas the other half goes to the dealer.
  • Surrender is only permitted on the first 2 cards.
• House Edge:
  • The house edge is the house or casino’s anticipated advantage in a particular game.
  • In blackjack, the house edge is about 1% for players with a basic foundation of the blackjack strategy.
  • This means that for every RM100 you wager, you’ll lose RM1 on average.
• Win
• Doubledown:
  • After the player has been given the first two cards, the player can choose “double down”, and the player believes that a solitary third card will provide them with a position to beat the dealer’s eventual hand.
  • Only one extra card is given to the player when the bet is doubled, and the dealer finishes his hand.
• Pit: A pit is the table area you are seated for your blackjack game. A hole is often overseen by a stern-looking casino employee known as a pit boss.
• Bust: A bust is when the total value of cards for either the dealer or the player is over 21. If the player busts, the bet is lost; however, the player wins by default if the dealer busts.
• Insurance:
  • When the player believes that the dealer might have blackjack, the player has the option to secure insurance against the dealer’s blackjack at the price of half their initial wager.
  • The insurance pays 2 to 1 (of the initial bet) if the dealer does have blackjack.
  • If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player will lose their insurance.
  • The bet is then concluded by comparing the player’s cards with the dealer’s cards.

How do you win at Blackjack?

Without a doubt, blackjack is a probability game, but you can boost the odds in your favour when you are composed and collected and engage in reflex counting. Perseverance, strategising, stamina, and a deep understanding of the rules are central elements in winning blackjack. Short-term and long-term strategies are crucial for your game and winning chances despite what you may have heard.

There is some basic know-how that you must have prepared to optimise your opportunity at the game. You should understand that high-level mathematical odds are required in blackjack games. To improve your chances of winning, here are four things to remember:

• Be prepared when heading to the blackjack table
• Know the rules of the game
• Come up with a good blackjack strategy
• Be calm and collected when there is trouble in your game

The Basic Blackjack Strategy

It is important to point out that Blackjack is one of the very few casino games that require a lot of calculating. Therefore, having prior knowledge in this field will significantly boost your edge over the house.

If you have background knowledge in statistics, it will be easy for you to understand the strategy and rules for the game. For example, if you know that the dealer has a soft 17, they will bust at about 29% of the gaming time. A mathematical foundation will give you the upper hand at making accurate predictions during your game.

Conclusion

You are more likely to lose than win at the game in blackjack. Therefore, you should also remember that your mental attitude is essential in playing blackjack. Be calm and have an optimistic outlook when responding to situations you don’t control.

But it is also necessary to maintain a positive attitude and collected nature when losing the game. This will guide you in making better-calculated strategies to secure your winnings.

The Complete Rules of Blackjack

If you came across this article without any blackjack experience prior, the basic rules of blackjack go like this:

• The players will go against the dealer attempting to reach 21 or be the closest to 21 without having more than 21. They will receive two cards per person. They can either hit or stay. If the player or dealer gets cards that add up to over 21, they “bust” and lose their hand.

The Goal of the Blackjack

The main goal of game blackjack is for the player’s hand to defeat the dealer’s hand. There are two methods for the player to win blackjack. The first method is that the player must have a hand value that is more than the dealer’s hand by the end of the round. The player can also win the second method if the dealer’s hand value is more than the player’s hand value by the end of the blackjack round.

The Basics of Blackjack

a. The Card Values
In blackjack, each card has the value represented on the card itself except picture cards (which have a value of 10) and Aces, which can be either a 1 or 11. For example, a hand comprises a seven, and a 9 is worth 16. Depending on how to play the hand, an indicator of an Ace and an 8 can be worth either 9 or 19.

b. The Chip Values
Most Malaysian casinos use standardised chip colours, such as white RM1 chips, red RM5 chips, green RM10 chips, blue for RM25 chips, and black RM50 chips. However, the chips’ colour and value can differ in online casinos.

c. The Number of Decks
The most common decks used in blackjacks are six to eight, but this is entirely up to the casino. When you play with a smaller number of decks, it is advantageous as it means there’s a higher possibility that you’ll draw a Blackjack. Your odds are lowered when more decks are used.

d. Hand Types: Soft and Hard
A soft hand is a hand that carries an ace functioning as an 11. If cards are given to the hand and will cause it to go beyond 21, the ace value can be reduced to 1.

e. Busting
When a hand exceeds the number 21, the hand and its player have gone bust. For example, if you hit a hand of 16 and receive a 7, the value at your hand is 23, and you will go bust. Provided if your original hand was an Ace and a 5, then, in that case, the new value of your hand will be 13.

The Rules of the Blackjack Table

a. Placing your bets
You should get all of your bets in before any cards are dealt when playing blackjack offline or playing live dealer blackjack. This term will not apply in online blackjack because you control when the cards are given.

b. Hard or Soft Hands
Any hand that carries an ace is considered a Soft hand because you can change the value of the authority from 11 to 1. A hard hand does not have an ace or one with an ace that can’t be counted as an 11. Therefore, a hard provides less flexibility with the option to hit.

c. Odds and Payout
In blackjack, getting a 21 pays out 3 to 2 is commonly demonstrated on the table itself. However, when landing a blackjack, some blackjack versions pay 1 to 1. This is done to balance other rules that are more agreeable for players.

Rules and Etiquettes for Blackjack Players

If you’re playing blackjack in an offline gambling casino or live dealer blackjack online, you must follow specific rules and etiquette. While some of these mannerisms won’t be as significant to the players of the online blackjack community, it’s still essential to know the right way to behave at a blackjack table.

a. Don’t touch the Face Up cards
Nervous or fidgety players may need to rotate, flip or fiddle with their cards. This isn’t something that will be accepted in casino blackjack venues, in which there’s no need to disturb cards that have been distributed face up.

b. Don’t take too long
There’s taking some time to make your next decision, and then there’s dragging your feet for no good reason. So if you’re playing in-person or live dealer games with other players, make your next move as quickly as you’re comfortable doing.

c. Use one hand to handle cards
Casinos are relatively concerned about players messing with their cards and using two hands to manage cards. Therefore, you should use your dominant hand and don’t take out your cards from the table.

d. Signal and announce your decision
Casino security camera operators very much appreciate signals, and they also help prevent errors due to confusion at the table.

• Hit: Tap the table
• Split: Place your bonus bet outside of the usual betting area and split fingers
• Stand: Waving your hand over the cards
• Double Down: Place your additional bet in the same place as the previous bet

e. Never use two hands to hold your cards
For blackjack games in which the cards are “pitched” to you and played face down, you must pick up the cards with one hand and don’t use both. This rule is intended to prevent players from playing with or flipping their cards.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Playing Blackjack

The Do’s

• Split your cards into pairs of 8s and Aces
• Split 2, 3, 6s, 7s, and 9s, unless the dealer has a 7 or a more significant number
• Double down when you have an overall of 10, but the dealer has a 10 or an ace
• If the dealer shows an ace, you can double down if you have 11
• When you have an 11 or a smaller number, take the Hit
• Take the hit if the dealer has a 7 or higher if you have between 12 and 16
• When you have a hard hand of a seventeen or higher, it is ideal that you do not get any more hits
• Take a hit if you have a soft 17 or fewer
• When the dealer possess a 6 or lower and you have a soft 18, take a Hit
• Utilise the basic blackjack strategy

The Don’ts

• Don’t split pairs of the 10-value cards, such as Jacks, 10s, Kings or Queens.
• Don’t buy insurance: The dealer generally gets an average of thirty per cent for most occasions when the dealer has an ace. Therefore, it does not make any sense to bet on the dealer.
• Don’t comply or conform to the dealers’ strict rules.
• When you have a soft 19, do not take any other hits.

To conclude, learning and understanding these basic foundations, rules and mannerisms can be beneficial and essential to any blackjack player new to the card game.

The Different Variations of Blackjacks

It can be debated that blackjack is the heart of casino games. Moreover, it plays an influential role in shaping popular culture, and many people have recognised the particular importance of the number ‘21’.

While many people partake in the game in casinos worldwide, some are still unfamiliar with the other game versions. Like many alternate versions of games, different types exist that provide the players with better odds for their money.

In this article, we will be diving into some of the various types of blackjack and explaining its particular rules and advantages that differentiate them from the card game most people know and love.

American Blackjack/Classic Blackjack

Whether it’s a live casino or a blackjack 21 online real money casino, classic blackjack remains the most popular form of the game in most parts of the world.

There is no mistake that the American blackjack (also known as Classic Blackjack) is the all-time gambler favourite for a good reason. The house edge is low, it’s more social than poker, and the rules are pretty easy to understand.

As mentioned earlier, the house edge is low. Although this is important as you see that very intriguing 0.5% profit number, it doesn’t mean that you are taking advantage of the game. The infamous 0.5% that is always seen when looking at casino games with the lowest house edges makes you guess that you are making all the correct moves.

The benefit is that American blackjack is not challenging to learn the right actions. However, it requires practice.

Overall, if you choose the American blackjack as the standard version, you will give yourself a splendid chance to win some profit.

European Blackjack

Like roulette, there is a European version of blackjack. But, again, similar to roulette, European blackjack provides slightly better odds to players than its standard American counterpart.

One of the ways to distinguish European blackjack is that the game is generally played with two decks of cards. This would mean that the cards are more predictable than the other blackjack variations that include a half-dozen or more decks into one game. Another element of European blackjack that makes it more favourable to players is that the dealer stands on soft 17.

One disadvantage of European blackjack is that the dealer doesn’t check for blackjack after distributing the cards. This indicates that you could be making bets continuously while you have no chance of winning because the dealer already is holding the winning hand.

A few more aspects that set European blackjack apart are:

• Dealer blackjack versus player blackjack can end in a tie or push
• Players can double down only when their cards display 9, 10, or 11.
• Blackjack’s reward is only 3:2.

When you calculate, the result shows that the casino profit for European blackjack comes in at 0.39%. In other words, the outcome of playing European blackjack is about 20% lower than classic blackjack.

Face Up 21

Face up 21 puts a great deal of power in players’ hands while also removing some of the advantages of the house.

Both of the dealer’s cards are distributed and shown face up in this version of Blackjack. Of course, this goes without saying that seeing two cards rather than just one gives gamblers significant insight into how they should be betting during the hand.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always encouraging for gamblers when it comes to the game. For instance, when a dealer hits on soft 17, the blackjack dealer beats a player blackjack, and blackjack only pays even money.

Like European blackjack, players can only double down on 9, 10, and 11 in Face Up 21.

Even though the overall casino winnings might be lower, this variation of Blackjack might be a better option than classic blackjack if you adjust your betting strategy according to the rules that require the dealer to show both cards after dealing.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is without a doubt the most popular alternative to classic blackjack. In addition, Spanish 21 is known to be perhaps one of the most player-friendly games you can ever find in the casino, even more so than traditional blackjack.

One of the first things you will notice when playing Spanish 21 is that all the ‘10’ cards are removed. You might think this would be a massive advantage to the house edge, but the rules are tilted in the players’ favour, so it more than evens out.

There are a few differences that make Spanish 21 stand out. For one, the dealer stands on soft 17 in Spanish 21. Unlike Face Up 21, player blackjacks always defeat the dealer blackjacks.

One of the advantages of this game is that resplitting is allowed, including aces, which offers gamblers a great chance to optimise their winnings. Next, players can double down on any point total after cards are distributed. Finally, they can even double after splitting.

The next element of Spanish 21 that makes it so popular is its unique payout structure. Keep in mind that these are not the same at every casino, but here are some of the most common payout structures: –

• A five-card 21 rewards at 3:2
• Six-card 21 pays 2:1
• A seven-card 21 pays out at 3:1
• A 678 and 777 of mixed suits pays 3:2. If they are the same suit, it pays 2:1

There is one significant, impressive payout component to Spanish 21. If a player has 777 of the same suit and the dealer is holding a 7 in any case, there is an RM1,000 bonus awarded to the player. If the player has wagered over RM25 at the start of the hand, the reward will rise to RM5,000.

Spanish 21’s house edge is around 0.38%, making it the lowest depending on how you play. The disadvantage is that the house edge can be about 0.78% depending on some house rules, which would make it not quite as appealing as some of the other games on the list.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack

The Perfect Pairs blackjack gives you a unique opportunity to win big for players who think that a great betting strategy is more important than a great playing strategy.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack has the same rules as classic blackjack but has a betting twist. At the start of each hand, the players can make an extra side bet if the first two cards you’re distributed will be the same number.

One common question for people new to Perfect Pairs blackjack is, “Betting on two cards being the same seems like an unlikely win. What’s the payout if I take the risk?”.

If your pair is any two cards of the same value, or just the number or the same face card, you will win at a ratio of 5:1. If the two cards are the same number, same colour, but a different suit, you will be paid 10:1. The big jackpot win comes if the two cards are the same rank and same suit (remember that it is possible as multiple decks are used). If you hit a “Perfect Pair,” you will win at 30:1.

Perfect Pairs blackjack is so interesting because it’s just regular blackjack with the opportunity to take a little risk on the side. Anyone familiar with classic blackjack won’t have to face any learning difficulties, as the rules here are easy.

Overall, Blackjack might be as standard as it gets for casino games, but the different game variations ensure that blackjack is an evergreen casino classic.

Six Elements to Consider When Assessing Online Casinos

With the help of the internet, blackjack and casinos continue to revolutionise and develop. Online casinos are becoming more and more mainstream and one of the easiest ways for players to access casino games, such as baccarat, blackjack, etc. In addition, online casinos provide their players with a sense of realism in the digital casino gaming experience.

This article will examine the six most significant elements that one should never forget when accessing online casinos.

a. Online Casino Software Providers
Most online casinos know which live dealer platforms would attract the most significant number of players to their casinos. Because of this reason, you would rarely come across an unreliable online casino platform provider. However, it is always better to know the brand names of the most trustworthy and licensing authority of the online casino software providers.

Some of the most popular platforms in Malaysia include:

• 888Casino
• 22bet
• Genesis
• Playamo
• KingBilly

An advantage is that online casinos software providers ensure that the games available are mobile and HTML5 compatible and provide a wide selection of games available for the players. In addition, an exceptional and practical software platform provider ensures that their software is user-friendly and provides a pleasant experience for their players with its features.

b. Betting Limits and Bet Sizes
There will be some restrictions on bet sizes for the maximum and minimum stakes the online casino sets when playing in online casinos. A betting limit is the maximum amount of money a gambler can bet on a single game or other coexisting games.

Online casinos provide more variety in the wagering options and provide cheaper costs for their players than offline casinos in terms of overhead costs. Implementing a bet limit in online casinos can be advantageous as players of all budgets can enjoy playing on the online casino with different stakes that make the casino games enjoyable.

c. Private Tables
While most gamblers know that online casino sites function as a place of fun and games and interact with other online casino goers, they are not aware that online casino sites also provide private tables for those not keen on socialising. The idea of private tables may seem antisocial, but it’s a suitable alternative for people who want to enjoy casino games with few people.

Private tables are pretty similar to regular gaming tables in offline casinos; the difference is that other online players need to be invited first before joining you in the game. Private tables enable you to choose the players you wish to play with on the table games for online blackjack in Malaysia. Before accessing private tables in online casinos, you must follow the registration procedures for the online casino to book a private table session.

However, it is essential to remember that not every online casino site offers Private tables readily available to their clients. Therefore, if you are looking for an online casino site with a private table games option, you should check and ask if the online casinos have personal table options or not.

d. Banking and Other Secure Payment Options
All the most significant online casinos will provide you with a variety of payment and withdrawal options that are easy to use and widely available. Online casinos are in the business of money. Hence, it is in their interest to offer their members a diverse range of options, such as e-Wallets, debit or credit card payments, cybercash payments, and even internet banking transfers.

When it comes to online deposits and withdrawals, some of the factors one should consider include: –

• The availability of local payment and withdrawal options for the player
• The user can make a deposit and withdrawal through their desktop and mobile devices
• The period for deposits to reach the player’s casino balance
• The maximum and minimum limits for the player to deposit and withdraw
• The period for the player to take out their winnings
• The guaranteed safety and reliability of the casino’s payment system

e. Multi-Device Compatibility and Availability
Many online casinos would give their members a choice to connect to games through a live casino app or compatible HTML5 web browsers on their smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop devices. Multi-Device compatibility for online casino players also provides a positive impression and a user-friendly experience as online casino apps are readily available. This means that the players can indulge themselves in the online live casino experience in the comfort of their own homes.

f. Online Casino Licensing
While it is true that there is a diverse range of online casinos with the growth of the casino industry, one of the crucial factors when looking for online casino sites is to check the license for the casino site.

If you do not find or see a license on the casino page, it proves that the casino does not comply with laws and is unregulated. So instead of registering for the online casino, you should just invest your money by depositing before getting ripped off from an uncertified online casino.

There are thousands of online review platforms for casino sites. Therefore, it is good to look up the online reviews for your potential online casino candidate. That way, you will be one step ahead and understand how the online casino site works, such as its interface, payment methods, games, and more.

Overall, online casino sites come with various gambling games such as roulette, blackjack, slots, etc. In addition, online casinos should always provide a user-friendly and enjoyable experience for their players to indulge in gambling and spending their bankrolls. Therefore, it is essential to remember these six factors when choosing an online casino site. You would like to spend your leisure time on a reliable and enjoyable online casino rather than a casino site that is slow and unresponsive.