Although it is one of the most popular casino games, there are several interesting facts about how blackjack is played that most punters don’t know about.
Blackjack is, unquestionably, one of the most popular gambling games. But you are not limited to only playing the game at the casino and can also easily enjoy it with family and friends at home. All you need is one pack of cards and some enthusiasm.
Blackjack was first played in Spain during the early 17th century. Over the centuries, a set of rules developed around the game. However, there remain a few curious facts about blackjack that we’d like to share with you.
5 Notable Facts About How Blackjack is Played
Here are some of the most interesting facts about how blackjack is played that most players don’t know about:
Why are Card Dispensers Called “Shoes”?
A shoe is a container that’s used to store card decks during a blackjack tournament. The shoe is placed close to the dealer during a live game, but remains invisible when playing online blackjack unless it’s conducted via live streaming.
But have you wondered why the card dispenser is called a shoe? This is because, when it was first designed, it resembled a high-heeled shoe, similar to those worn by ladies. Because of the likeness, gamblers started referring to the holder as a shoe, and the name has stuck ever since.
Most Popular Table Game in Canada and the US
Did you know that blackjack is the most played table game in Canada and the US? Statistics show that blackjack is the most popular game at casino tables in these two countries. There are various reasons why this is the case. The two top reasons are an inherently low house edge and the ability to generate advantage through card counting.
Card Counting Potential
Card counting is a real thing that is possible to pull off. Some players are highly skilled at counting cards and pose a real problem for casinos. But, there’s nothing that casinos can do since card counting itself isn’t classified as illegal. Edward Thorp earned the title of the King of Card Counting because of his talents. He even authored a book about his experiences called Beat the Dealer.
Blackjack Hall of Fame
Did you know that there is a blackjack hall of fame? It’s a unique club that celebrates talented blackjack dealers, players, authors, and experts. It was created in 2002 and is located at The Barona Casino in California. To be welcomed as a member, you must have broken some serious records. But the effort is worth it because, should you eventually get in, a world of complimentary perks and treatments awaits you.
The Real Game Objective
Many people believe that the primary objective of how blackjack is played blackjack is to build a hand with an added total of 21 or to get as close to that figure as possible. But, this isn’t completely accurate, with the real aim of the game being to beat the dealer by any means available to the player.
Remember, blackjack is a two-stream game between the player and the house. This means that the dealer, and not the other players, is the only competition. So, even if a player doesn’t achieve a total of 21, they can still win if their hand ends up being stronger than the dealers. If, for example, a player ends up with a total of 19 and the dealer has 17, the player wins because their hand beat the dealer, and not necessarily because they achieved a 21.
