Gambling Blackjack Play

Some people believe that Blackjack originated in French casinos in the early 1700s where it was known as "vingt-et-un" ("20 and 1") The game became known as Blackjack because if a player held a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades as the 1st two cards, the player was paid out extra. Gambling was legal out West from the 1850's to 1910, at which time Nevada made it a felony to operate a gambling game. In face down card games you can pick up the cards but you must not use more than one hand to pick them up. The object of the game is to obtain a hand of cards totaling up to 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. Depending on the game, the player's are either dealt their cards face up or face down. Jacks, Queens and Kings always have a value of 10. Once all players have decided to "Stand," the dealer reveals the face down card known as the "Hole" card. If the dealer's hand is between 17 and 21, he or she may not draw any additional card. If the dealer's hand is 16 or below, cards must be drawn until the dealer's hand has a value of 17 or higher. If the dealer "Busts" or has a hand that exceeds 21 and your hand is less than 21, you win! Double - if you think you will win without getting more than one card you double. You have to add an amount equal to your original wager and receive only one card. Surrender - this decision is quite rare and not offered is most casinos. After you see your starting hand and the dealers up card and you don't think you can win, you have to give your cards back to the dealer immediately. If you surrender you will only lose half of your original bet.

Top Blackjack Casinos

Golden Riviera has a small set of games to choose from, but they make up for that in many other ways They have one of the better comp points programs online, and a great VIP program that will make you want to continuously do all or most of your online gambling with them Ruby Fortune Casino, as with a number of Microgaming-powered casinos, actually offers two ways to play - a no-download 'flash' version (which has a reduced number of games) and a full-version download option

Zodiac Casino has an impressive selection of table games, video poker, slots and progressive jackpots The online operator brings the classic Las Vegas experience right onto your desktop There are also six other casino's in the group and any VIP points that you earn can be redeemed at any of the casinos