Blackjack is one of the most popular table games in America. It is derived from the French game vingt-et-un or twenty and one. Blackjack’s widespread popularity is likely related to the simplicity of the game.

Your opponent in this game is the dealer; your objective is to beat the dealer. You can do this by accumulating cards that have a higher value than his cards without going over 21, or you can sit on a lower score and hope the dealer goes over or “busts”.

What makes this game even more entertaining is that, under certain circumstances, you can increase your bet in mid-game by “doubling down” or “splitting”. When the right opportunity comes around to make these types of bets, you should take advantage of them because they help eliminate the house edge.