Currently the most popular casino game in the US, blackjack is thought to be of French origin and to have derived from games such as 'Chemin de fer'. The original game was called 'vingt-et-un' and was first played in French casinos in about 1700.Although the game had migrated to the US by the early 1800s, it was not until a century later that it was introduced into the casino, and even then it was not met with enthusiasm.In order to entice gamblers to play, casino managers offered odds of 10 to 1 for players who scored 21 with the ace and either of the two black Jack in the pack. The odds did not stick, payout it now 3 to 2 for any hand with an ace and 10-value card.

BlackJack: Casino game Basics

Blackjack is unique among casinos games: sometimes its actually possible for a skilful player to enjoy an advantage over the banker! Proof of this is that some casinos have found it necessary to ban consistent winners from playing. It is impossible to define the advantage precisely for two main reasons: blackjack is a game in which there are so many options, and the rules vary considerably from casino to casino. Also it must be said that it is a game where it is not difficult to cheat and where a dealer may deny information to a player by not showing the cards when another player 'busts' and does not turn over his cards as he is entitled to do.

The rules described here are those most usually found in Las Vegas, where blackjack is the most popular casino card game....

It is a table game in which up to seven players face a dealer. Each player plays one-on-one with or against the other players at the table. The object of the game is to hold a hand of two or more cards that is higher than that of the dealer, but does not exceed a maximum score of 21. Players who win with a 'blackjack'- that is, a two-card hand comprising an Ace and any 10-value card, making a total of 21- are paid at odds of 3 to 2. Up to eight packs of cards are used, and are shuffled by the dealer.  One player is allowed to cut the cards by inserting an indicator card into the combined pack.  The dealer completes the cut and places the pack face down in a dealing shoe, with the indicator card a few cards (up to 50) from the bottom of the pack these last cards will not be used.All other winning hands are paid at even money.

Black jack is the most popular casino game in the world and the most fun!