The Origins Of Blackjack

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Introduction Blackjack is one of the oldest card games and it is still very popular. Its popularity is owed, allegedly, to the simplicity of the rules of this game; rules which have been developed over centuries. This paper will attempt to introduce the reader to the origins of Blackjack, its most important rules (paying specific attention to those of the player and those of the dealer) and the most effective cheats employed by players. Additionally, the essay will discuss some of the most popular card counting systems and strategies. The paper will include a section on what happens if you get caught and how the casinos approach the matter should they have a reasonable suspicion that someone is cheating or simply counting cards.

History
There are many theories about when Blackjack was invented. According to one theory, the origins of Blackjack can be traced as far back as the Roman Empire. As the Romans enjoyed and engaged in gambling, such a theory may not be so far from the truth; however, even if this indeed was the origin of Blackjack, the game as played by the Romans was far less sophisticated than it is today. In fact, there is evidence that the Romans played this game with wooden blocks of different numerical value.
Other …show more content…

“Dealer hits on soft 17”. This rule is not that common, but it appears at some casinos. This rule operates in the same way as the ‘dealer stands on all 17s’ rule, apart from in the instances where the dealer has what is known as a ‘soft 17’ (where an Ace is present). This includes a hand such as an Ace and a 6, two Aces and a 5, as well as an Ace, a 2 and a 4. In such hands, the dealer will have to hit, but he will have to stand on a soft 18 (or higher). He would also have to stand on a hard 17 or higher. The house advantage is increased when a casino utilises this rule. This is why it is advisable to look for Blackjack games which use the first rule – in that eventuality a player’s advantage over the house is

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