Anyone looking for a game that is both simple and exciting, blackjack seems the natural choice. Also known as Pontoon or Vignt Un, this is a popular game at traditional casinos as well as at online casino sites. There are many versions of blackjack, although the basic game comprises of the same idea – for the player to reach as close to the number 21 as possible, without going over that amount. Blackjack is played against the dealer and the other players at the table are of no importance to the outcome of the player’s hand. It is important to note that because of the differing rules and regulations between casinos, and the variants of the game of blackjack, players should take time to read the instructions of each game carefully before playing for real money.
How to Play Blackjack
The Basics
Blackjack can be played with one, two, four, six or eight decks of cards.
Players need to get as close to the number 21 as possible, by beating the dealer’s hand and not going over this sum.
Bets are placed before the game begins.
The value of the dealt cards are added to reach 21 or nearest.
The skill of blackjack lies in the ability of the player to choose whether to be dealt another card to get nearer to 21, or to stand with what he has.
Card Values
The suits in blackjack are of no consequence. Face cards (ie. King, Queen and Jack) have a value of 10, while the cards ranging from 2-10 have face value. Aces are either valued at 1 or 11, depending on the hands being played. A hand that does not have an Ace or where the Ace is counted as one is known as a hard hand, while a hand that consists of an Ace that counts as 11 is known as a soft hand.
The Beginnings of a Blackjack Game
Players begin a game of blackjack by finding a suitable table. Blackjack tables traditionally seat six people. Important things to look out for at a suitable blackjack table include minimum and maximum wagers, deck sizes and variant rules.
Bets are placed in a special area on the blackjack table.
Once the bets are placed, each player is dealt two cards and then the dealer takes two cards for himself. In most variants of blackjack, the player has one card facing up and one card facing down.
If a player believes that the dealer has been dealt a blackjack (21), he can take out an insurance bet at this point in the game. All bets will be cleared and the player will be paid out 2:1 if the dealer has been dealt a blackjack. If not, the player loses the insurance bet.
In most cases, players are dealt cards face up and should thus not handle the cards.
Once players see their two cards, they are faced with the decision of how to proceed in the game. Herein lies the skill element of blackjack: To take more cards to reach the number 21 and risk going ‘bust’ (ie. going over that sum) or to stay with what they have been dealt and hope to win with that amount.
The Options Available to Blackjack Players
The following are the choices available to blackjack players at this stage of the game:
Players can Choose to ‘Hit’: This is when players choose to ask the dealer for another card as they think they can advance further towards 21 without going bust. This is obviously a risk but most players understand the calculated risks within a game of blackjack, based on strategies and statistics. Of course, if a player goes over 21 after being hit, he goes bust.
Players can Choose to ‘Stand’: When a player is happy with the cards that have been dealt and does not wish to risk being dealt any more cards, he can choose to stand. This means that these are the player’s final cards in the game.
Players can Choose to ‘ Split Pairs’: If players are dealt a pair in the first round, these can be split into two separate hands and another bet, equal to the first, is placed. While various rules pertain to different versions of blackjack, the basic understanding is that hands can only be split once and that only cards of the same denomination can be split (ie. not a queen and a 10, for example).
Players can Choose to ‘Double Down’: If players are in a strong position in the game, they can opt to double their original bet. In return for this right, players are only entitled to one more card. Casinos have varying rules on the doubling down choice.
Player can Choose to ‘Surrender’: If players have been dealt particularly bad cards in the first round, they may want to surrender these cards and forfeit half of their original bet. They are then out of the round and their cards are removed.
Player can Choose to Take ‘Even Money’: Supposing that the dealer has an ace on the upcard and the player is dealt a blackjack, the player can choose to take even money. Essentially, this means that the player will be paid out 1:1 before the dealer checks his or her other card.
Winning at Blackjack
An automatic win for the player is if he is dealt a blackjack on the first round. Payout is 1. 5x the original bet.
If the dealer also has a blackjack in the initial round, bets are paid back to the player. This is known as a stand off, tie or push.
If the dealer goes bust, the player automatically wins.
If the player has a lower count than the dealer, he automatically loses.
A higher card count than the dealer’s is paid out as per an equal amount to
the original bet.
Blackjack – Simple and Exciting
Many people are drawn to blackjack because of its simple rules and its classic features. The game has the ideal combination of luck, skill and entertainment and it is no wonder that blackjack is so popular in the gambling world today. Different versions of blackjack, as well as multiplayer online tournaments ensure that blackjack is kept fun and contemporary, without drifting too far from the timeless, original version that has stood the test of time.
Casino Cash Journey is the ultimate online casino directory giving you all the information you need to choose the right online casino for you. It is a great resource for Blackjack, as well as a host of other exciting casino games, detailing information on rules, strategies and tips.
One of the newest online casinos to hit the scene is Thebes Casino – an ancient Egyptian inspired site that features all the right sandy coloring and images to get players right into the mood of things from their very first visit.
Thebes Casino runs off the revolutionary new Top Game software system and thus strives to bring players originality and innovation every step of the way.
The site is licensed and operated in Costa Rica and offers its services in English, Dutch and French. Thebes online casino accepts players from all over the globe, including from all states in the United States.
Software and Games
Thebes online casino is the flagship site of the new Top Game software package and has been designed to provide players with non-stop Vegas style entertainment with an original twist. There are several interesting features that make this software extremely appealing, including a multi tab function that allows players to play multiple games at once, thus increasing their chances of winning.
Top Game has spent a lot of time thinking of those tiny details to make gaming easier and generally more fun, and players can be sure that every step of every game has been well thought out – from the step by step guide to familiarize them with the interface of the site, to the blackjack basic strategy guide that is easily accessible through the software.
The Top Game games package available at Thebes Casino is divided into six distinct sections: Roulette, Blackjack, Video Poker, Video Slots, Classic Slots and Other Games.
These games come with top of the line graphics and brilliant audio features to ensure that players feel that they are in a real Vegas casino. The slots games are second to none and include exciting titles such as Fantasy Nuts, Shia Safavids Treasure and Treasure of the Pharaohs. The classic slot games are presented with true traditional flavor, several of which have progressive jackpots linked to them.
The casino also have an excellent Keno version that provides pure entertainment and great rewards.
Bonuses and Promotions
As with most online casinos trying to make a great first impression and lure players seeking additional gaming opportunities, Thebes casino brings first time players some particularly lucrative offers, including a match casino bonus.
Payment and Payouts
Thebes Casino presents its players with a wide variety of withdrawal and deposit methods to ensure that funding their accounts and claiming their winnings is done is a manner that is both simple and secure. There are a number of mainstream banking methods, as well as several alternative methods, so that everyone should find a system that works well for them.
Security
Every security precaution has been taken to ensure that players and their personal data are protected at this site. Thebes Casino uses industrial grade encryption technology (1024 bit RSA key exchange and 448 bit Blowfish), which is over and beyond what is used by other casino sites (such as standard grade SSL protection). This is one of the best signs that the casino takes its responsibility to provide their players with a safe and secure gambling environment very seriously.
In addition, Thebes Casino has a sound privacy policy in place, whereby it commits to respecting and respecting its players’ privacy at all times.
Support
One of the strongest features of the casino is its excellent customer support team. The site has made every effort to ensure that this team can be contacted quickly and at any hour of the day or night. As such, there is a Live Chat window, and in-site contact form for email correspondence or a toll free number that can be called any time.
Thebes Casino
Thebes Casino, although new on the scene, has certainly made a strong impression on the industry. It seems to have examined exactly what players are looking for in an online gaming experience and pulled all the stops to deliver the product. From a top selection of games using an innovative new software package, to the tighest security around, Thebes Casino proves that it is totally committed to providing the right kind of enterainment for today’s online player.
This information was accurate when it was written but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the casino.
The main aim of playing blackjack remains the same whether it is online or a land-based casino. However, there are certain differences in terms of features and services while playing at a land-based or at any online casino. Herein, you can find some benefits of playing Blackjack online.
Playing online blackjack is quite comfortable- You can set your bets sitting in the comfort of your place. Moreover, there is no hassle of taking a hefty amount, exchanging it for chips or finding suitable table etc. All you require is to have a computer and an internet connection. Just register with any online authentic casino, make a deposit (possibly, you get start up bonuses with many of them) and play at your wish. Online casino generally offers a table so that players can have the optimum comfort of playing.
Online blackjack has the option of private as well public table play -If you live quite far from your local casino just go online. Land based casinos players do not provide utmost comfort, sometimes people intent to behave strangely at the table hence you do not get a healthy playing environment. Moreover, these casinos are full of unnecessary arguments, loud talks which can distract you from concentrating in the game.
Online bets involve smaller number of bets- For a land based casino general bets are comprised of a minimum amount of $10. Online casino lets the players to play at a lower limit, it is quite comfortable when you do not look forward to play with a hefty amount. The table limits initiates from $. 25 per hand. For the ones looking for a high stake table limits can go upto $10. 00 per hand.
While playing online tables are never full- Land-based casino do not have enough table for the players, however, with online casinos you can always find a table of your choice.
Live dealers lets you play the blackjack faster in comparison to traditional playing units – Real number generator are quite speedy than the land based ones. Therefore, players have the option to play more hands per hour and offcourse it will result into winning a larger amount.
Hence, we can witness so many advantages of playing blackjack online. It saves your extra time as well as efforts, simply go for the best deals that are authentic as well as safe. So, get started don’t miss the opportunity to earn quick cash by playing online blackjack gambling.