Rules for Playing Blackjack - Blackjack is a favorite among gamblers around the world, partly because it is mathematically beatable and players feel the odds are less random than the spin of a roulette wheel, or the pull of a slot machine handle. Some claim Blackjack was invented in French casinos in the early 1700s where it was called "vingt-et-un" ("twenty-one"). It has been played in the U.S. since the 1800's. Blackjack is so-called because if a player held a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades as the first two cards, the player was paid out extra. The black suit 'spades' plus the winning Jack brought about the name 'Blackjack'. Blackjack actually has very simple rules and can be learnt easily, however there are a number of strategies you can learn to increase your winning odds. Blackjack uses a standard set of 52 playing cards and players compete against the dealer, not each other. Values of cards - King, Queen, Jack, 10 = 10 , 2-9 = Face value , Aces = 11 or 1.