Blackjack is one of the most played card games in casinos worldwide. Its history dates back to the French casinos of 1700, where it was known as ‘Ving-et-un.’ And later, American betting houses imported it, although it was not until the beginning of the 1930s that they definitively legalized it. Since then, and thanks to the popularity it gained in Las Vegas, it has become world-famous.

What is the blackjack play?

Each participant plays against the bank in blackjack, which is represented by the figure of the dealer. The player has to try to score twenty-one points or at least get a value as close as possible, but without exceeding it, since otherwise he will lose his bet. During the game, the ace can be worth one or eleven points, depending on what suits the player, the cards with figures are worth ten points, and the numbers from two to ten are their own value.

Before the dealer begins to deal the cards, the players have to place their bets respecting the established limits. Once this is done, the dealer will deal one uncovered card to himself and two to each uncovered player.

Basic rules of blackjack

• Normal wins are paid 1: 1: that is when the value of your cards is closer to 21 than that of the dealer.
• Blackjack wins are paid 3: 2: when your cards total 21.
• 16 or less: The dealer must ask for a card in any hand worth 16 or less.
• Asking or Standing: Players can choose to add a card to their hand (ask) or not (stand) so that their final hand reaches a value of 21 or is as close as possible.
• Split: Turn your two-card hand into two separate hands for an additional chance to beat the dealer. This option is valid when you have two cards of equal value.
• Double: You can choose to double your bet half-hand, but you will receive only one more card, and you cannot ask for another.
• Insurance: If the dealer’s open card is an ace, it will invite players to get insurance. This protects you in case the dealer’s other card is worth 10.
• Soft 17: A soft hand is one that includes an ace. It is called soft because the hand has two different values: 1 or 11, plus the other cards.

Some casinos force the dealer to ask for a card with 17 softs, while others force him to stand. Be sure to check the rules before playing.

Now that you know what blackjack is and its basic rules, it is time to put what you have learned into practice.

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