iPoker and Blackjack:
Blackjack - Introduction
Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one in USA, was probable born in France during the XVIII century. Known as “Vinght-et-un”, at the time this play was rather famous in the game rooms but this version was different from the modern blackjack, even if they both have similar origins. A game similar to blackjack is the Italian “Sette e mezzo” (“seven and a half”) as well. In this game, the goal is reaching the highest possible score without exceeding 7 ½ (like bust in blackjack).
Modern blackjack arrived in American casinos only at the end of the XIX century but it was not very popular, so gambling houses tried to offered a bonus (called backjack) . A player could get this special bonus if his hand would consist of a Jack and a Ace of spades (10-1).
During the time, many blackjack variations have developped. Today a player who hold each two-hole cards combination which total is 21 can obtain a blackjack (the greatest obtainable score). That means you can “make” blackjack with a 10 or a face card and an Ace.
Despite its origins, today blackjack is the most widely played casino banking game in the world. Rather, it’s the casino game par excellence! As for the hold’em, I prefer to avoid the term “game of chance” when I talk abut it because also in this game you can make up you lack of fortune by a good training and learning the right methods of card counting (I’ll describe them in the following chapters).
In that case, I suggest you to watch “21”, a 2008 drama film directed by Robert Luketic and staring Kevin Spacey. This film is just inspired by the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, a group of college students who utilized card-counting techniques and more sophisticated strategy to beat the Las Vegas casinos. Once you watch it, you’ll understand the importance of card-counting immediately.
