7 Things You Didn’t Know About Blackjack

If you have an interest in casinos, gambling, or even card games, you have probably heard of Blackjack. It’s also known as Pontoon or ‘21’ and is one of the most popular table games found in casinos. The goal of the game is to make as close to 21 as possible within 5 cards or less.

The basic object of the game is to beat the dealer. Players play against the dealer rather than against other players. There are a few ways to win; get 21 with the first 2 cards – this is known as Blackjack, make the dealer go bust, or reach a higher final score than the dealer. There are so many different types of online blackjack, ways of playing, and strategies. There are also plenty of fun facts about the popular card game! Here are some of the little-known facts you never knew about the game of Blackjack.

1. It Was Invented in France

The game originated in France in the 1700s, and it was originally named ‘Vingt-et-Un,’ French for Twenty and One. So the game was referred to as 21. The name Blackjack, as it is known by now, was only actually added in the 1920s.

2. The Name

So why did the name change from 21 to Blackjack? Well, in America, the game became popular, and many casinos were offering bonus payouts based on the game. One such bonus was a ten-to-one payout for players if their hand was an Ace of Spades a black Jack (clubs or spades). The name was coined and stuck from there.

3. It Was Napoleon’s Favourite Game

Napoleon Bonaparte was known to be a keen gambler. He enjoyed card games and wagering games of all different sorts. But his favourite game was Blackjack, and it was said that he played this game more than any other.

4. Beat the Dealer

Many people believe that the object of Blackjack is to reach 21. And, as such, they will try to achieve this score as much as possible. But, this isn’t the goal of the game. The actual goal and aim of Blackjack is to beat the dealer. And, focusing on this is the best way of being successful.

5. The Worst Hand

There has long been a debate about what constitutes the worst hand in Blackjack. The general consensus is that 16 is the worst hand; though oddly a lot of people stick at 16. So, next time you play you need to beware of 16 as a hand, and either fold or twist when you get it.

6. Statistics

There are a few other fun facts to know about Blackjack as well. For instance, did you know, that out of every 100 hands that are played, the dealer will statistically win 48 of them? But, the player will statistically only win 44, and the rest will be drawn games! The reason for this is that the dealer always plays second, giving him or her a slight advantage.

7. You Can Bet on the Dealer Getting Blackjack

In recent times a new strategy has come into play called Insurance. This is something that can confuse a lot of people, but the basic concept of it is that, if the dealer’s face card is an Ace you can make a side bet that the dealer will get Blackjack. More often than not you’ll lose, but people still like to use Insurance on occasions.