French colonists in the 18th century brought blackjack to the United States. It first gained popularity in legal gambling halls in New Orleans before spreading to Nevada. It became popular all over America in the 20th century. Today, American blackjack is one of the most popular blackjack variants worldwide. While European blackjack uses only two-card decks, the American version uses six to eight-card decks.
Where to play American blackjack
Online casinos in the U.S. host multiple games of American blackjack, each with slightly different rules and betting limits. You can play American blackjack on the betPARX app in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan. After selecting the game, you will go to the Cashier to deposit funds and then click on the chips to place a bet. You will press ‘deal’ to start the round and receive two cards face up. The dealer also gets two cards but one of them is face down.
The dealer’s hand and the hole card
The goal of the classical American blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand. The second card the dealer receives is known as the hole card. If the dealer gets an ace face-up card, he can check the hole card for the possibility of blackjack. There isn’t a hole card in European blackjack and the dealer doesn’t deal a second card until the player receives a full hand.
In American blackjack, the dealer has to hit on a soft 17. An ace in his hand counts as 1 rather than 11, and when his total hand score is 17, it counts as soft 17.
Actions you can take as the player
You can choose ‘hit’ to get another card or ‘stand’ if you don’t want more cards. If you feel confident about your hand, you can ‘double down’ which means doubling your initial bet. If you receive two of the same cards, the split button will turn them into two hands you can play separately.
Double down rules
In American blackjack, you can double down on a hand of any value. This is different from European blackjack where you can only double down on hands with a value of 9, 10, or 11. This means you have more betting opportunities and chances to win. When using the latest smartphones and casino apps, there are many safe ways to withdraw your winnings.
Splitting rules
In blackjack, a ‘split’ allows you to divide your first two cards into two separate hands and double your wager. In American blackjack, you can split hands up to three times and double down after a split. You can only split aces once and you can split 10-value cards, even if they are different.
Late surrender opportunity
Late surrender is allowed in American blackjack, although it isn’t in European blackjack. If you find yourself in a difficult position to win after placing a high bet on a hand, you can surrender. You will only lose 50% of the original bet instead of the whole wager. This option provides a way to control your losses but using it too quickly may mean you have regrets.
Insurance bet rules
In American blackjack, you can take out ‘insurance’ when a dealer’s face-up card is an ace. If you opt for insurance and the dealer has blackjack when checking the hole card, you will lose the bet but win insurance.
House edge and odds
In general, the house edge for blackjack is around 1% but this can fluctuate between casinos, variations of the game, and tables. Some casinos have rules in place that decrease their chances of winning and boost the house edge. For example, they may not allow doubling down or splitting or limit it to specific hands.
One of the biggest advantages to players in American blackjack is the hole card. This lets the dealer check for natural blackjack before you make a bet. This can save you from expensive double-downs and splits.
US gambling revenue is growing all the time, and the popularity of American blackjack contributes to this. If you’re a strategic player who wants to increase your chances of winning by developing your skills and using the right tactics, you will probably find American blackjack suits your style of play.
