Blackjack is the most widely played game in casinos around the world. It is also known under the names of Twenty-one or Pontoon. Most of its popularity stems from an exhilarating mix of skill and chance, much like other card games like, for example, poker. Blackjack has also become somewhat famous due to some people's ability to count cards, and, therefore, creating an immense advantage for themselves. Nowadays, however, it is basically impossible to do so, even for the smartest people, since multiple decks of cards are used to deal the game. Online casinos enable blackjack players all over the world to improve their skills whenever they are in the mood to do so regardless of the time of day or the location. Whether a player is stuck in inside in the middle of a snowstorm or just has an hour to spare to try his or her luck at this exhilarating game, online blackjack provides the unique opportunity to spend this time possibly winning a lot of cash.
In blackjack the player always plays against the dealer with the objective of getting a higher card total than the dealer without going over 21. The bets are placed on the initial two cards that the player receives, then he or she can ask for an additional card if desired. If the total value of these cards is over 21, it's a bust, meaning the player has lost. If not, the dealer's hand is played, which can also result in a bust. In this case the player wins. If neither the player nor the dealer busts, the higher hand wins the bet. If both hands have the same value no one wins and a tie is called. The values of the cards are as follows: 2 to 9 have the value corresponding to the number on the card, 10, jack, queen, and king count as ten. The ace can either be counted as 1 or as 11.
The dealer has to follow specific rules on when to hit (take another card) and when to stand (not take another card). If the hand is lower than 17 the dealer always has to hit, if it is higher, he or she always has to stand. If the 17 consists of an ace and a 6 there are house rules on whether the dealer has to hit or stand.
The highest possible initial hand, called blackjack, has the value of 21 (an ace and a 10 value card). Should the player get this hand with his first two cards he wins automatically, unless the dealer has blackjack as well, in which case a tie is called. If the dealer's first card is an ace the player has the option of making an insurance bet. This is a bet which is put on a separate part of the table and which will pay 2:1 should the dealer really have blackjack. However, if the dealer does not have blackjack the money is lost, though the original bet can then still be won. Generally the player wins the same amount as he bets (1:1) except if he has blackjack, in which case the playoff is 3:2.
There are also a few other options for the player than just hit or stand. He can, for example double down after receiving the first two cards, meaning he will double his bet and receive another card face down. Another option is to split a pair, which means the player has received two cards of the same value on his first hand and splits them into two separate hands while doubling his bet.
