Blackjack

What is Blackjack and how does it work?

Blackjack, known in Latvia as "Acīte", also goes by "21" (twenty-one). The aim of the game is very simple: you have to beat the Dealer by getting a card total as close to 21 as possible without going over. If your card total exceeds 21, that's a "Bust" - you lose.

A short history of Blackjack

Blackjack's origins go back to 17th-century Europe, where its direct predecessors, such as "Vingt-et-Un", were played in France and Spain. When the game reached America, casinos introduced a special boosted payout for the combination of the ace of spades and a black jack - the Black Jack - which also gave the game its legendary name. Its biggest leap in popularity came in the 1960s, when mathematician Edward Thorp proved that with strategy and card counting a player could gain an edge over the casino. Today it's the most popular casino card game in the world, dominating the online space just as successfully.

How are points counted?

The scoring is very logical and easy to memorise:

• Number cards (2-10): The value matches the number on the card (a 7 is worth 7 points, for example).
• Picture cards (K, Q, J): Every Jack, Queen and King is worth 10 points.
• Ace (A): The ace is flexible. It can count as either 1 point or 11 points - whichever suits the player better for staying under 21.

How does the game go, step by step?

Each table consists of the Dealer and several players.

1. Bets and the start

You place your bet. The Dealer then deals two cards to each player and two to himself. One of the Dealer's cards is face up (visible), the other face down.

2. The player's turn

Once you have your two cards, you look at your total and the Dealer's face-up card. You have to choose:

• Hit (More): You ask the Dealer for another card to increase your total. You can keep taking cards as long as you don't go over 21.
• Stand (Enough): You stop at your current total and end your turn.

There are also extra options, such as Double Down (double your bet) or Split (split, if you have two equal cards), but to start with, all you need is Hit and Stand.

3. The Dealer's turn

Once all players have finished their turns (stood or busted), the Dealer reveals his second card. The Dealer plays by strict rules:

• Usually the Dealer must take a card if his total is 16 or less.
• Usually the Dealer must stand if his total is 17 or more.

4. The winner

Whoever is closer to 21 without going over wins.

• If your total is higher than the Dealer's (but under 21), you win (payout 1:1).
• If the Dealer goes over 21, you win (payout 1:1).
• If your total and the Dealer's are equal, it's a Push (a tie), and you get your bet back.
• If you have Blackjack (21 with your first two cards), you win with a 3:2 payout!

How card counting works (the Hi-Lo system)

Card counting isn't memorising every card played (like in the film "Rain Man"). It's a method for tracking the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck. Blackjack is unique in having a "memory" - the previous hand influences the next one.

• Low cards (2-6) help the Dealer, since they let him build points more easily without "busting" (going over 21). When these cards leave the deck, your chance of winning grows.
• High cards (10, J, Q, K, A) favour the player (more Blackjacks and strong hands). When they leave the deck, your advantage shrinks.

To keep track, the Hi-Lo chart is used, assigning each card a simple value:

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Strategy

During the game you do simple maths in your head, starting from zero:

• Example: A King, 4, 2, 9 and a Jack appear on the table.
• The count: -1, +1, +1, 0, -1 = 0 (The count is neutral).

How to bet?

• If the count is POSITIVE (e.g. +5): It means lots of low cards have gone. The deck is still full of tens and aces. You raise your bet.
• If the count is NEGATIVE (e.g. -4): It means the good cards are gone. Only the "small fry" remain in the deck. You bet the minimum.

An important note about online casinos

In most online games (RNG machines) the deck is virtually "shuffled" after every hand, making counting impossible. Live dealer games often reshuffle (cut) the deck midway through, which stops you building a count precise enough for any real advantage.

P.s. Before you dive into the game, don't forget to find yourself a great welcome bonus.