Blackjack

Whether you call it Pontoon, 21, or an investment. Blackjack is easy to learn and even easier to play. The aim of Blackjack is to accumulate a winning hand of 21, or as close to 21, without going over (bust.) That's all there is to it. No flushes, straights or trying to outsmart the other players, who, like you, are all just trying to beat the Blackjack dealer.

Despite its simplicity (Blackjack is truly accessible to all); some players inevitably try to complicate Blackjack. For all the talk of systems and odds, all you need to know is how to win and how to avoid losing! Here's how it works: Two cards are dealt to every player and play moves from the dealers left - each participant elects whether to hit (take another card,) stand (play with the cards they were dealt,) or surrender, in which case they fold at the cost of half their original bet. Once all the participants have finished hitting, the dealer plays his hand and pays out to players who beat his score.

The good news is: Blackjack dealers are bound by the house rules; you're not. For example, dealers stand on all 17's. In other words, he'll keep hitting until he reaches or exceeds 17. If he draws a king and a six, he's bound by convention to play on, while you've got the get-out clause of an early surrender.

The better news is: you can 'Double Down' and double your winnings! Double your bet on a potentially winning deal, provided you can hit once and stand. You can even 'Split Your Pairs' and double your chances! If you're dealt two cards of identical value, split them and play two hands for the price of one!

The best news is: in Blackjack, you can win big and win quickly. Blackjack is the name and the aim of the game. A Blackjack is a total of 21 in your initial deal; a picture card / ace combination. A blackjack can only be beaten by a dealer's blackjack. Any other score of 21 just won't cut it.

Blackjack is a truly elegant game: uncomplicated enough to engage players, but sufficiently captivating to keep them coming back - once you start playing Blackjack, you might just find you can't stop. Blackjack is enjoyable, exhilarating, and instantly compelling. No wonder it's played and enjoyed the whole world over.