Black jack is one of the most popular games in the casino today. For many it is the ultimate symbol of the casino and it is definitely the one with the very highest payoffs. A high adrenaline game of fast bets and lightening prizes, it is the facvourite game in any casino. Not least because of its allure and glamour.
Black jack as we know it today has its roots in the early twentieth century, when gambling was illegal in most states. At that time, it wasn't even called Black jack; it was called 2, a remenant of an ealier French game called vingt et un. This game was played as early as the 1700s in Europe. In its early days the casinos used to offer a payoff of 1-10 to anyone who gained a hand with the ace of spades or any one of the Black Jack (either clubs or spades). Althought this practice was discontinued, the name stuck, and the game was dubbed forever after black jack.
Playing Black Jack is quite easy, which is the reason for the game's enduring popularity. The object of the game is to get a hand with the sum totalling as near to 21 as possible. Aces count as one or eleven, whichever is better for the player. Number cards count as their number. All picture cards count as ten. Foe example, a hand with a seven and an Ace counts as 18, with the Ace as a "soft ace," since it is worth eleven. On the other hand, a hand with an Ace, a four and a Queen is worth fifteen, with the Ace as a "soft ace" since if the Ace were to be worth eleven, the hand would be bust.
Dealing in Black Jack come in two varieties. In the London Deal, the players are dealt the cards facing up and the dealer deals himself one card facing down. In the Nevada deal, the players are dealt cards facing down with the dealer dealing himself one card facing up and one card facing down.
After dealing the cards the player decide in their turn whether they are bust; if their sum is above 21, whether the want another card or if they wish to stand, if they are near enough to 21. After all the players decide what it is they want to do the dealer uncovers his second card or deals himself another card (depending on the deal system- London or Nevada). If the Blackjack Dealer's hand is above 17, then he has to stand. If it is 16 or lower, then he must deal himself another card. The dealer himself has no say in this, he must follow these rules every time. If the dealer goes bust, then everyone else at the table wins. If the dealer doesn't bust, then his hand is compred to every one of the players'. The higher total wins, paying off a 1-1 payoff for the player. In case of a tie the player gets his bet back but wins nothing. This is called a push. Getting a Blackjack is an instant win, and it pays off one and a half time the original bet. If the dealer gets a Blackjack , then every one loses. It is important to remember that in this game the players do not play against eachother but against the dealer and other players' hand do not influence their chamces of winning, unless they count cards.