- Carrying a four leaf clover. - Carrying a rabbit's foot. - Carrying a horseshoe. - Carrying a personal lucky charm. - Wearing a lucky item of clothing. - Blowing on dice before rolling them. - Being well dressed. - Crossing one's fingers. - Stacking gambling chips neatly. - The color red.

Some of superstitions which are believed to bring bad luck include:

- Breaking a mirror. - A black cat crossing one's path. - Walking under a ladder. - Dogs near a gambling table. - The color black.

While most of us at one stage or another have given way to occasional superstitious belief, when it comes to practice of gambling, it would seem to make more sense for a player to invest more time in study and practice of various playing strategies and less time in practice of irrational superstitious beliefs which may or may not work.

(1) The player places a bet.

(2) The dealer deals two cards (usually facing upwards) to player and one card to himself/herself.

(3) The dealer draws a second card for himself/herself and places it face down.

(4) The player is then asked if he/she wants another card (hit) or if he/she wishes to stand.

(5) The player may request as many hits as he/she would like until total value of his/her card reaches 21 or he/she busts.

(6) If player busts, house (casino) will win.

(7) If player stops at a total card value that is as close to 21 without going bust, then dealer will reveal value of his/her second card.

(8) If value of dealer's second card gives him a Blackjack (total value of 21), then house (casino) will win. The dealer must keep drawing cards until total value of his/her cards is 17 or more. If dealer goes over 21, then player will win. Whoever comes as close to 21 points as possible without going over 21 (bust) is winner.

Blackjack is just as popular today as it was back in 1800's. It is by far most played table game in a casino. This is mainly due to fact that it is very easy to learn and play.