The Playing 21 Blackjack Program -- History of Card Playing

History of Card Playing
“Trust Everyone, But Always Cut The Cards”

52 Pick Up

It is almost a certainty that cards were invented by the Chinese sometime between the 7th and 10th centuries. Like so many other great Chinese inventions, playing cards have been used the world over. Practically everyone in the free world has held a deck of cards at some point in their life. From the endless possibilities of playing cards, came games with endless probability.

The 52-card deck, which is the most common one in the United States, consists of 13 cards in each of 4 different suits. Although not all games use the jokers, most packs or decks, as they are commonly called, include two of them. Although it is rarely referred to as such anymore, this is the traditional “French Deck”. It is widely believed that cards came to America via the Mayflower, and have been here ever since.

There is much history and debate regarding the symbols and pictures that appear on the cards. These have changed over time, and between different cultures. In North America our standard deck has “Red” colored suits, hearts and diamonds and “Black” colored suits, the spades and clubs.

Each of the suits has a ranking, starting with the Ace, which has one ‘indices’ on it, then 2 thru 10, followed by the Jack, Queen and King. Depending on the game being played, the different suits and cards have different meanings and values. The “indices” refer to the markings on the card, showing the suit. Usually by counting the indices, (with the exception of the smaller indices placed below the card ranking in each corner), one would know the rank, or numerical value, of the card. For example, a 5 usually has 5 indices and so forth.

A standard card measures 2 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches. The backs of the cards are all made common, so one does not know the card rank. Companies make the cards thick enough so one cannot be seen through with average light. This process usually involves gluing two pieces of pasteboard together with black glue to ensure the card’s security. Card companies produce millions of packs every year in North America. Each deck is sealed with the company’s distinctive seal to prevent tampering.

Companies have changed the deck for certain games over the years. Casino games such as Pay The Table and Color it Up, both exciting new Blackjack variations, have added a colorful angle while other games such as Spanish 21 have taken out or added cards to the standard deck.

Blackjacks Number One

Although many modern-day casino games, including poker, Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride use cards, none are more popular than the game Blackjack. With approximately 17,000 Blackjack tables in North America alone, cards are and always will be, a big part of our entertainment, both at home and at the casino.

The next time you visit a casino, pick up a pack of playing cards, they are of the best quality and relatively inexpensive. We also encourage you to fully explore our site and learn all you can about the game Blackjack, and the best Blackjack program ever made, the Playing 21 Program.

Features of the Playing 21 Program

Answers every single question anyone could ever ask about the game Blackjack.
Proves casinos have been handing out misleading information in their Basic Play Charts.
Allows the user to recreate any current casino House Rules, including all splitting and doubling options, shuffle points, and number of decks.
Allows the user to play up to 7 different players, who may each count differently, using over 25 billion different counting methods.
Allows each player to play every hand in any way, even differently, at any of 21 different counts.
Simulates all First Hit Rules and Additional Hit Rules, Insurance for every count.
Allows the user to place different card counting weights on different cards.
The Win/Loss Report proves that the casinos cannot win at the game Blackjack.
Allows the user to bet any amount, at any count.
The Hand Breakdown vs. Dealer’s Up Card is the DNA of Blackjack, illustrating how to play each and every single possible hand at 21 counts and in detail in 45 different categories. Run billions of hands and compare any way to play any hand.