You need a standard deck or decks of 52 playing cards without the joker card to play blackjack. For instance, California Blackjack players aim to reach a hand value of 22. While the ultimate objective of blackjack is to get a hand that’s close to 21, there are variations of the game where 22 is the target instead. To do this, you have to make strategic decisions like hitting (taking another card), standing (keeping your current hand), doubling down (doubling your bet to receive one more card), or splitting pairs (dividing matching cards into two separate hands). Your main goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. Back then, it was called “Vingt-et-Un,” which is French for twenty-one. Many believe that it began in France during the 18th century. The origins of blackjack are still under debate. Let’s take a look at this captivating card game and enter the exciting world of blackjack! What Is Blackjack?Īt its core, blackjack or “black jack” is a thrilling casino card game that’s part of a global family of table games known as “twenty-one.” It pits you against the dealer in a battle of wits and strategy. aims to help elevate your game so you can conquer the blackjack tables, just as many others before you have.

We’ve prepared this cheat sheet to answer your questions regarding the game of blackjack, including its rules, strategies, and history.

What about the game makes it so captivating to many? How has blackjack survived centuries and become a beloved game in brick-and-mortar casinos and online? Most importantly, how do you play it? How do you win? The simple premise of getting a hand close to 21 continues to excite newcomers and battle-hardened gamblers. Throughout its rich and deep history, blackjack has gone through many evolutions and given birth to many other game iterations. Have you ever wondered why the device holding the decks of cards in blackjack is called a shoe? Interestingly, it’s because early versions of the device looked like an actual woman’s high-heeled shoe.

Blackjack table odds