If you are an ardent gambler, you must already be familiar with the rules of blackjack! And if not, we have got you covered.
Formerly known as Black Jack and Vingt-Un, Blackjack is one of the world’s most widely played casino banking games. In fact, it is among the category of casino banking games that descent from the family of Twenty-One games.
Blackjack is typically played with a deck of 52 cards and is relatively easy once you get the hang of it. Traditionally the game used to be played in casinos, on semicircular tables that would accommodate players ranging from 5 to 12. The dealer is the moderator of the game who stands behind the chip rack.
Since the COVID-19 regulations put several restrictions on visiting casinos last year, blackjack has become increasingly popular as a mobile device game.
Even though you don’t need a reason to watch blackjack, this might change your mind!
How To Play Blackjack?
Just like other casino banking games, you need to play blackjack by adhering to specific rules. There are many variations within the game about rules and numbers of decks. But the most common game of blackjack is dealt with either a 6-deck or 8-deck shoe.
Single and double-deck games are more authentic. However, not all casinos have single or double-deck blackjack; that’s why “shoe games” have become more popular. If you’re wondering how to play blackjack, here is a simple overview of the game:
- The blackjack player buys chips
Before playing any casino table game, you need to buy chips. Cash play wagers aren’t accepted anymore. Thus, the player has to ask the dealer to exchange your money for casino chips. The player needs to place his money on the table, and the dealer will count chip dominations equal to the amount and push the chips towards the blackjack player.
For security reasons, the blackjack player can’t place the money in the dealer’s hands. This is why it has to be placed on the table.
- The player places a wager.
After finding out the betting limits, the player can place a wager or a bet in the betting circle. Betting limits usually depend on which casino you go to.
- The cards are dealt by the dealer.
After wagers are placed, the dealer will start dealing cards clockwise. Each blackjack player will receive two cards face up in front of them.
- The game begins
After the cards are dealt with, the players can begin the game based on the strategy they have decided to follow. It should be noted that if you want to win, you should devise a strategy that is the most mathematically optimal way to play for every combination. Of course, it also requires a tremendous amount of risk and guesswork on the player’s part.
This is how a traditional blackjack game is played in live casinos. If your interest is piqued, but you haven’t been able to visit a real-life casino, you can always try your hand at blackjack online.
Online blackjack betting has become very common, and every other person is trying their luck at it. The feel of a real blackjack table might be missing, but you sure can have a lot of fun. However, a word of caution, if you like to play blackjack, make sure you do it at a legal gambling site only. Several unlicensed gambling sites can scam players. Be careful!
5 Best Blackjack Movies
Casino games like blackjack have inspired many stories and movies. These films provide the right balance between tension and strategy involved in a game. Thus, there is no better way to learn how to gamble than to watch blackjack movies.
Here are 5 recommendations of the best blackjack and casino movies.
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Swingers (1996)
Swingers is about a group of old friends who are unemployed actors willing to make extra cash and live their lives. The group decides to travel to Las Vegas and try and win money.
Blackjack isn’t the central theme of this comedy-drama, but there is a significant scene where they head to a blackjack table and try their luck. There is even an intense debate about the strategy of whether you should always double down on 11.
In Vegas, the group runs into many mishaps and a series of problems that makes their trip more enjoyable. If you are interested in knowing more about the game, this is the movie to watch!
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21 (2008)
21 is one of the only Hollywood movies with blackjack as its principal focus. The storyline follows the life of Ben Campbell, a prodigy who is accepted into Harvard Medical School but cannot afford the tuition. He meets an MIT professor Micky Rosa who invites him to join his blackjack team of fellow MIT students. The team plans on winning big by using their analytical skills to score millions of dollars at a casino.
21 is an important movie because it deals with the mathematical aspects of the game.
The Last Casino (2004)
The Last Casino has an almost identical storyline as 21. In the film, mathematics professor Doug Barnes is banned from the casino. Later, he forms a blackjack team of card counters and recruits three of his most brilliant students.
What is unique about this movie is that it doesn’t have your typical American casino setting. Instead, it is set in Canada, which provides a distinctive twist to the game.
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Casino (1995)
The Casino is one of Martin Scorsese’s most memorable movies starring Robert De Niro (Sam). The movie follows the story of a casino owner who oversees his business in Vegas. Sam plans on doubling his profits at the casino and is joined by his friend Nicky Santoro.
The game of blackjack becomes pivotal in a scene where Nicky finds a player cheating with one person standing beside the dealer and conveying information to his associates. He then gives an ultimatum to the cheating player where he can either forfeit his winning or face serious consequences.
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Rain Man (1988)
Rain Man is a fantastic movie starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. Even though the movie has a different focus altogether, there is an unforgettable scene where Charlie (Tom Cruise) risks winning at blackjack by counting cards and using his brother’s abilities to create a significant advantage.
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