Microgaming Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack Facts - The game of blackjack first began in France in the 17th century.  It quickly became the one of the most popular games in European casinos.  The game of blackjack is derived from a variation of the French game "Chemin de Fer".   United States casinos first began offering blackjack in the 1900's.  It was originally called "vingt en un" or "21" and only included the jack and the ace of spades, dealt on the first two cards.  The original payout for this hand was ten times the wager.  Later this was broadened to include all suits and any two card 21 became known as blackjack with a payout of 3 to 2. Click for information on history, card counting, terminology, table layout and how to play.

Purpose & How to Play - In Microgaming European blackjack, the purpose of the game is to have a hand where the total of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's cards, without going over 21.  Aces count as either 1 or 11, 2 through 10 as their face value and face cards count as 10.  If you are dealt an ace and a ten-value card as your first two cards, you have blackjack and win 1½ times your wager or a payout of 3 to 2.  An example would be if you bet was $4, you would receive $6 in winnings along with your original $4 bet back.  If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win as much as you had wagered or 1 to 1.  An example would be if you bet $5, you would receive $5 in winnings along with your original $5 bet back.  If the total value of your cards dealer's card is closer to 21 than yours, you lose your bet. Microgaming European blackjack is played with 2 decks and the dealer stands on a soft 17.

Hit - If you would like additional cards.

Stand - If you are finished drawing cards.

Bust - If the total of your cards is more than 21, you lose your bet.

Push - If you and the dealer have the same card total of 17 or more, no one wins and your bet is given back to you.

Split - If your first two cards have the same point value, you can divide them into two separate hands by placing a second bet equal to your original bet.  It's called "split".  You will carry on to draw cards until you complete your hands.  You may draw as many cards as you like on each split hand, but if you split two aces, most casinos allow you to receive only one additional card for each ace.  If you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, it is counted as 21 and not blackjack.

Double - Once you are dealt your first two cards and if you think you that an extra card will help you to beat the dealer, you can raise your bet by an amount up to your original bet.  It's called "double down".  Your wager is doubled, and you are allowed to receive only one more card.

Insurance - Buying insurance gives you the chance to protect your wager, in case the dealer may have blackjack. When buying insurance, place half of your original and if the dealer does not have blackjack, you lose your insurance bet. If the dealer does have blackjack, you'll receive a payout of 2 to 1.

• Play basic strategy to reduce the house edge

• Know when to walk away from the table.  If you start losing, save your profits for a later session

• Avoid insurance