Sun. Jan 19th, 2020

How to Play Blackjack Online: Tips and Tricks

5 min read
How to Play Blackjack Online: Tips and Tricks

How to Play Blackjack Online: Tips and Tricks

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games that you can find in a casino. Because the game is so simple and easy to learn, it has gotten numerous people hooked, whether they play for fun or for cash. As the Internet and computer technologies became more advanced and accessible, a trend in online gaming and gambling has led to the emergence of numerous online casinos and gambling rooms. Considering its popularity, blackjack is one of the many games that are now offered online. Whether you are looking to play online blackjack for fun or for gambling, you should definitely check out these helpful tips and tricks on how to play blackjack online:

Blackjack basics

Before you sign up at any online blackjack website, it’s essential to first learn the basics of the game. As mentioned above, blackjack is a relatively simple game in comparison to more complex card games, such as poker. First of all, what every blackjack player should know is that blackjack is a game of card counting. Each card has a corresponding number value. Aces can be considered as a one or an eleven, numbered cards have the same number value, and all face cards are counted as a value of ten. Each player is initially dealt two cards. If the two cards initially dealt to the player are ace and any other card with a value of 10 (such as 10, jack, queen, or king), then they have a total of 21, which is a blackjack. Players win 150% of their bet when they land a blackjack.

If you don’t get a blackjack on your first two cards, you have one of two choices: you can “hit” or you can “stand.” “Stand” means you are content with the value of your cards and you don’t want to be dealt extra cards for the hand. Meanwhile, “hit” indicates that you want to be dealt extra cards in hopes of getting your total value closer to 21, without going over this number. If you go over 21, then you “bust,” losing the hand and your bet. After all of the players have made their moves by either hitting or standing, it is then the dealer’s turn to act.

When the dealer acts, the dealer reveals his or her second card (the first card dealt to the dealer is always faced down so players are not certain of what the dealer’s hand is), then makes a decision to hit or stand depending on the house rules. There are certain values at which the dealer is forced to stand or hit, and these values are determined by the house rules. If the dealer gets a blackjack, then the dealer wins the bets of all of the players who do not have a blackjack. Players who have a blackjack as well, tie with the dealer. If the dealer busts by going over 21, then the players who are still in the hand win. Remember, in blackjack, you are playing against the dealer and not against the other players around you. The main goal is to get a value higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21.

Understanding blackjack options

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to familiarize yourself with the different options that can give you better chances of winning at blackjack. One of the most commonly used blackjack options is the split. If you are dealt a pair of cards on your first two cards, you can split the pair and treat them as separate hands. Splitting pairs is a good way to go if the dealer’s “up card” (the dealer’s card that is dealt face up) is not very high.

Another option that players have is to get “insurance.” As the term implies, insurance is a means of protecting yourself from a possible dealer blackjack. Insurance can only be taken when the dealer’s up card is an ace. Basically, you can wager up to half of your original bet for insurance. If the dealer’s down card is a 10 (meaning that the dealer got a blackjack), then you will be paid 2-to-1 for your insurance wager. If, on the other hand, the down card does not have a value of 10, then the dealer wins your insurance wager. Generally, getting insurance is not advised, unless you are an exceptional card counter that has reason to believe that the dealer’s downcard really is a 10.

You also have the option of “doubling down” on your hand. When you are dealt your first two cards, you can opt to double down on either of the two cards you are dealt. When you double down, your original bet is doubled and you receive one extra card. Your double down bet will be placed on any two cards that you choose from the three that are dealt to you. Like splitting, doubling down is most effective when the dealer’s up card is low, which gives you better chances of beating the dealer’s hand.

Another popular option in blackjack is to “surrender.” When you surrender, you give up half of your original bet, but you will be able to save yourself from losing all of the money that you wager. You can only surrender after receiving your first two cards and before the dealer acts. If the odds seem stacked against you and the cards that you receive are poor, then you may want to surrender to the dealer.

Polishing your strategy

Now that you have a good idea of the rules and options of playing online blackjack, it’s time to start polishing your strategy. It would be best to get a strong foundation by learning the basics of blackjacks, such as card combinations with the best chance of beating the dealer depending on the dealer’s up card. Keep focused on the game, even if you may take a big loss. Blackjack isn’t a game where you can consistently win, so it’s important to keep focused even when you lose. Finally, as with all forms of gambling, you have to know when it’s the right time to walk away. Learning blackjack and playing it to your full potential will take a lot of practice, so you may want to start out by playing in the free online blackjack rooms before you start betting big on the real-cash games.