Unlike most other games played at either online casinos or traditional land-based venues, blackjack is recognized by gambling experts as a game requiring a substantial amount of skill in order for a player to beat the dealer - or "House" - and win. Sure, luck will always play a major part in determining whether a player wins or loses, but there's a whole lot more to winning at blackjack than meets the eye.

By developing a clear understanding of the game of blackjack, players can immediately boost their odds of winning more money more often. Of the more important aspects of the game, what players want (and need) to know most are their chances of drawing certain card values in any given situation.

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With the recent release of Hollywood movie "21", blackjack has returned to the spotlight and is about to experience a resurgence (if it ever even went away). Online casinos are licking their chops for the inevitable influx of new gamblers ready to play blackjack, the new game Crazy21, and all the other casino games that these online gambling sites have to offer.

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If you have ever played Blackjack, congratulations; you're already familiar with the card game Pontoon. In fact, Pontoon is merely a variation of Blackjack, which - incidentally - is also known as Twenty-One.

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Following is our list of the most commonly heard Blackjack terms and expressions used in both land-based casinos as well as online casinos . By simply clicking on the letter of the term you are looking for, you will gain a much better understanding of the game of Blackjack plus be well on yor way to winning more money.

 

A B C D E F H I L M N P R S T U

A Ace.
Action The amount of money wagered by a player during a complete session. A bet. Lots of betting.

In blackjack, you & the dealer are both dealt two cards to begin. The goal in blackjack is to accumulate cards that add up closer to 21 than that of the dealer's hand, without exceeding 21.

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Blackjack , in case you don't already know, is definitely a game of skill. But as always, there is still a lot of luck involved, which has a tendency to even out in the long run. By knowing when to hit or stand, you can dramatically boost your success rate at blackjack .

A basic blackjack strategy, when practiced accurately & consistently, can reduce the house edge by nearly 2 percent. Unlike baccarat & other non-interactive games, there are many options available for players when playing blackjack. This therefore makes the strategy much more vital, and dramatically improves your chances of winning.

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The object in blackjack is for the total of your cards to be closer to 21 than the dealer's cards, without exceeding 21. In blackjack, aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as ten, and number cards at their face value.

If you receive an ace and a 10-value card as your first two cards, you have blackjack and win 1.5 times your wager (if you had bet $10, you receive $25). If your total card value is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win your wagered amount (if you had bet $10, you get $20). If your cards exceed 21 in total value, you "bust" & lose the bet. If you and the dealer have the same card total (17 and up) neither you nor the dealer wins and your bet is returned to you in what's known as a "push." Blackjack always beats a score of 21.

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The good news is: There are some very simple yet powerful tips and tricks that can significantly help you increase your winnings at online blackjack . To begin with, it is very much in the player's favor to play blackjack at online casinos which use the least number of decks possible. The odds get better when there are fewer decks to play with so this can really help you boost your chances of winning. In a two-deck game, for example, the handicap for your play is -0.35%. Four decks is -0.48%, 6 decks is -0.54% and 8 decks -0.58%. You can see the advantages of playing blackjack at an online casino that uses fewer card decks.

A note about insurance; because of the random number generator used at most online casinos , it is virtually impossible to count cards, so insurance is not a worthwhile option.

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Of course there are all sorts of blackjack myths and so-called winning strategies out there. We've collected some of the most common of which you've probably already heard. Hopefully we can shed a little light on what you may have already been led to believe:

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Blackjack - or Twenty-One - is said to have originated in French casinos around 1700 and arrived in the U.S. at the beginning of the19th century. Originally called "vingt-et-un" (French for "twenty-and-one"), it became known as Blackjack if a player got a Jack of spades and an Ace of spades as their first two cards. Today Blackjack ranks as one of the most popular online casino games played around the globe, as well as at online gambling .

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