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What is Blackjack
Blackjack has a long and fascinating history. Some people believe that the game started in Italy under the name "Sette e Mezzo". They believe it then spread to France in the late 1700s, where it began to resemble the game we know and love today.
Players in Britain and the United States also gave it a touch of local flavor when it landed on their shores a little later. Today’s game continues its thrilling legacy as it is played online and on land in countries worldwide.
Online Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games played today, and for a good reason. Featuring great odds, an appropriate welcome bonus, and a simple winning strategy, anyone becomes a blackjack lover with a little practice and some luck. Read on for all the tips and tricks to maximizing your odds of capturing that magical 21 and winning big.
Blackjack Variations
There’s a game variant for every kind of player. Live dealer blackjack is fantastic for players that crave the interaction and socializing of the casino floor. Different kinds of games also offer better odds and rules that will affect your strategy. Some of the most popular varieties include European Multi-Hand, Double Exposure, and Classic.
Classic Blackjack
Classic blackjack follows the most conventional rules, and the dealer always stands on a soft 17. It has the best return rate at 99.46%.
European Blackjack
In European Multi-hand, the dealer must stand on all 17s and play with three hands simultaneously. You can choose to double down on 9, 10, and 11 and it has a 99.37% return rate.
Spanish 21 Blackjack
A unique characteristic of Spanish 21 Blackjack is that all 10 cards are removed from the deck. Which means less chance to reach 21. But there are many rules in the player's favor too. For example, you’re allowed to double down. Also, you can get half of your bet back when you give up your hand.
Atlantic City Blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack is an American variation of this game. The dealer initially handles two cards and opens one so that the player cannot see it. Like in classic blackjack, the dealer stands on a soft 17 and also to peek for Blackjack as there is a hole card. Return rate — 99.65%.
Progressive Blackjack
In Progressive Blackjack, the goal is to have a hand going over than the dealer, but not higher than 21. You’re allowed to Double only when your hand totals 9, 10, or 11. Otherwise, the cards are dealt like in classic blackjack.
Hi-Lo 13 Blackjack
In Hi-Lo 13 Blackjack the house edge is reduced because the game is dealt out of a two-deck shoe. In this version, the dealer does not reach the blackjack peak at the beginning of a hand in which he has an ace or ten. Additional feature — you can draw to split aces.
Pontoon Blackjack
Pontoon is the British version of Classic Blackjack. Here both dealer's cards remain closed throughout the game, which complicates the player's position. The best possible hand here is pontoon — a royal card or 10 plus an ace, or two-card 21. Also winning a combination is five cards of any total value, less than or equal to 21, it is also called — five-card trick. The return rate is 99.64%.
Double Exposure Blackjack
With Double Exposure, the dealer’s cards are exposed, making your decision to “Hit” or “Stand” much easier. All draws go to the dealer in this kind of game, and it offers a 99.04% edge.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Playing with a live dealer will bring you closer to the real game. The difference is that the decks are shuffled by hand, not by a computer. You can choose any variant of blackjack with a real dealer.
Rules of Online Blackjack
Check out the rules of classic blackjack before you start playing. You need to know about how to play the game of blackjack as well as how it can be beaten.
Unlike poker, where you’re playing against other players, in blackjack, it’s all about your game against the dealer. And the goal or the objective of the game is to beat him, in its simplest form. To win in a game, you must get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21. That’s why they call game 21. So, remember, there are two ways you can lose:
- if the dealer gets closer to 21 then you
- if you go over 21
Gameplay of Blackjack
Classic Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck. Before the cards are dealt, players make bets. After the first card is dealt, players are not allowed to bet and touch the chips.
Cards are dealt from a shoe, and usually, there are 1 or 2 decks, but often there are at least 4 decks during the game. The dealer deals two cards from a shoe to each player and one card to himself. It is customary to deal out 2 cards to the dealer at the beginning: the first is open, the second is face down. Then everyone shows their cards.
If a player has blackjack (ace plus any 10-point value card, which is equal to 21 points), he is immediately paid out at 3 to 2 odds.
Players who don't have blackjack at this stage have the choice. They can take another card (in this case, the player hits). Or they can stand, or remain with the cards (and the number of points) that the player has in his hand.
After taking a new card if the player has a total of 21, the dealer does not ask him anymore and goes on to the next player.
If the player's score exceeds 21 after drawing a new card, then this situation is called "bust". The dealer removes the player's bet in favor of the casino.
How to Play Blackjack
The game of blackjack is built not only on the luck of the draw. The strategy chosen by the player has an equally important role. By understanding the basic terms and situations, the player can move on to more serious tactics.
Manage Your Bankroll
It's not a secret that you can make money by playing blackjack. The main thing is not to lose your head. Especially if you are new to this game.
First of all, manage your bankroll. Distribute it throughout the game and do not make risky bets until you have learned the basic techniques and strategies of your opponent.
The main rule of a gambler is to know when to stop. Do not try to recoup if your opponent is stronger or more experienced. Just accept defeat and try another time.
Card Values
Every card in blackjack will bring you a different number of points. As a rule, cards are scored in this way:
- Number cards (from 2 to 10) — count from 2 to 10 points respectively;
- Face cards (the jack, queen, and king) — count as 10;
- Aces — either 1 or 11 points (11 until the total amount is not more than 21, then 1);
- Blackjack is one ace plus any 10-point value card.
Make Your Move
Make your move, choose actions that will bring you closer to victory, or minimize the risk of losing your bet money. First of all, consider the advice that helps you decide when you should hit or stand:
- Stand if, with a hard hand, the total of points already scored is 17 or more.
- Hit if you have on hands 11 or fewer points after dealt.
- Stand if the dealer has 4-6 points on his hands, and you have 12-16.
- Hit if the dealer has 7 and you have 12-16 points.
- Hit if you play with a soft ace and get 17 points or less.
It doesn't matter if you play online blackjack or with live dealer, splitting significantly increases your chances of winning. Split can save the player and minimize the risk of busting on points. This move also allows you to play with two hands, increasing the chances of winning.
Split when you have eights or aces in your hand. Don’t split if you have cards with value of 5 or 10. In a situation with two tens, the risk that the dealer will beat the player's hand is minimal. This is only possible if the dealer has blackjack.
Another popular online blackjack move is doubling the bet. After this action, the player can draw only one card in the current round. Winning strategy in blackjack advises to double up in the following cases:
- if the player has 10 and the dealer has 10 or ace;
- if the player scored 11 points, and the dealer — less (there should not be an ace in the dealer's hands);
- if the player has 9, and the dealer has from 3 to 6;
- if the player has a soft hand with no more than 18 points, and the dealer has 5 or 6.
One more useful move is late surrender. If you understand that the dealer has a combination of cards unprofitable for you, use it. For example, if you have 17 points, the dealer has a hard ace, which, in combination with other cards, also gives you 17 points. Late surrender allows you to get back 50% of your bet. This move is available only after the first two cards are dealt.
Also, you can use blackjack charts. You can find special charts for almost every variation of the blackjack game. It stays useful regardless of how many decks of cards are used in the game. However, in rounds where one deck is used, players gain a significant advantage. It is easier for them to follow the progress of the game, count cards, and predict possible drops. In this case, the dealer's chances of winning are reduced.
In the chart, you will find the optimal steps for certain game situations. It usually contains a transcript of each scenario so that the player does not get confused during the game. Blackjack charts insure the players from rash actions and allow them to make maximum profit from the situation at the table.
How to Find Good Casino With Blackjack
A huge number of Blackjack casinos are available to you. But how to choose a good one for playing blackjack? Let's check the main moments to make the right decision.
Check Casino License
Check the casino license in the appropriate section of the site. Typically, you can find license information in the About Us section or in the footer of the site. The information about the license will indicate when and where it was issued, so you can understand its relevance. The license is a guarantee that your winnings will be paid to you, so pay special attention to this fact.
Check Online Feedback
Check online reviews on the site. Write a simple question to the technical support mail or in the pop-up window on the website. For example, does the site have a mobile application, and how to download it? Or if you have a real problem at the registration stage, do not hesitate to ask. If you get a response quickly, that's a good sign. Professional online casinos have a team of technical support who are ready to help you with any question 24/7.
Compare Accepted Payment Systems
To start playing on any site, you need to fund your account. The player must have a choice: PayPal, bank cards, or cryptocurrency.
Make sure that the site has a wide selection of payment systems, not only for replenishment but also for withdrawing money. As a rule, scam sites have more payment systems for depositing funds. And withdrawal systems may not work at all. Start with a small deposit. Enter the minimum amount available for your payment system for withdrawal. Play for the minimum amount and try to take your money. Make sure you can withdraw it before you start playing for large amounts.
Compare Minimum Deposits
Pay attention to the minimum deposit. As a rule, on a good site, the amount of the deposit will be low, but not always. Sometimes the amount of the minimum deposit is determined by the payment system you have chosen. For good sites, the comfort of players who do not want to make large deposits is important.
Choose the most convenient payment system, deposit amount, replenish your account and start playing at one of the many varieties of blackjack.
Play Blackjack for Free VS Real Money Blackjack
If you have never played blackjack, then first you should familiarize yourself with its rules. The basic rules are quite simple, but some nuances and subtleties can both help you win and lead to defeat.
The best practice for beginners is the free game which is available on many sites. It will help you understand the basic rules and strategies of the game. And after the basics, you can move on to playing for real money to get some thrills and a real profit!
The Strategy of Online Blackjack
This casino game is all about logic paired with a little bit of luck. Unlike pokies and roulette, which are more about luck, blackjack is about the thoughtful play. By paying attention to the cards dealt, you can bet better and win. Keep the following basic strategies in mind as you play:
- Say "Hit me" if your hand total is between 12 and 16
- Stand at 19 with a “soft” hand, 17 with a “hard” hand
- With a hand of pairs, split with Aces and 8s, never with 4s, 5s or 10s
When it comes to betting, a conservative strategy is highly recommended. You can’t beat the odds with blackjack, so start with the lowest possible bet and only raise the stakes when you win.
Go back to your original bet when you lose. If you’ve been playing for a while and are ready to spend big, you can start with a higher initial bet, but remember only to raise it when you win.
Knowing how to bet and how much keeps online blackjack fun and not frustrating so that you can enjoy staying at the table longer.
Glossary of Blackjack Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Advantage | Expressed as a percentage of the rate, the advantage of one side over the other. Usually, the advantage is on the side of the casino. |
| Anchorman | This is the last player to act before the dealer. |
| Bankroll | This is the amount of money you have available to gamble. |
| To bar a player (Back Off) | When the casino asks the player not to play blackjack anymore, which is done in the form of a statement if somebody is playing too well. |
| Bust (Break) | This is a situation when the dealer's or player's cards have exceeded 21 points. |
| Card counter | This is the player who strategically calculates which cards were played and which remained in the deck, during the game. |
| Deck | 52 playing cards, classic in blackjack. Sometimes in one game, two or more decks are used. |
| Double Down | This is one of blackjack tactics. After the bet is made, the player doubles it to draw an additional card. |
| Early Surrender | The player's decision to abandon the game after the dealer checks his cards for the Blackjack combination. In the case of Early Surrender, the player takes only half of his bet. |
| Face Cards | In blackjack this is the name for jacks, queens, and kings. All of them count as 10 points. |
| Resplit | The splitting of cards after the first split. |
| Round | The part of the game from the beginning of bets to the payment of the winnings. |
| Session | This is the total time spent in the game without break. |
| Shoe | This is a dealer's box containing decks for dealing cards to players. |
| Shuffle | The term is used for the random shuffling of cards done before the start of the game. |
| Soft Hand | This is a situation when a player has an ace with a variable denomination (1 or 11 points). |
| Splitting Pairs | The player's ability to break the same cards and play them as separate hands. |
| Spooking | This is a type of scam, when one person, standing behind the dealer's back, shows the value of the dealer's face-down card to the accomplice. |
| Stand | The player's refusal to receive cards, at the next deal. |
| Steaming | When a losing player bets wildly and recklessly, under the influence of emotion. |
| Surrender | This is a feature that admits the player to surrender and abandon half of their bet after the dealer checks for 21 points. |
| Hand | The first two cards in the player's arsenal. |
| Hard Ace | A fixed value of an ace in blackjack strategy (only one). |
| Hard total | A hand of a player is hard if he doesn't contain an Ace. |
| Hole card | The dealer's face-down card. |
| Hit (Draw) | The player's request to give him one more card. |
| Late Surrender | This is the player's refusal to continue the game after the dealer has checked his card. |
| Mechanic | This term is used to refer to an unfair player or dealer (not only in blackjack). |
| Pat Hand | Or soft hand, means that you have an ace in your hand that can be counted as 11. |
| Push | If the player and the dealer have the same number of points in their hands. In this case, no one loses or wins. |
| Upcard | Dealer card visible to players. |
| Whale | The major players in the casino. |
My findings show that blackjack casinos offer an exciting environment for gamblers around the world, with a variety of versions of the game, each with unique rules and strategies. Classic and European blackjack stand out with impressive return rates of 99.46% and 99.37% respectively. The goal of playing blackjack is not only to reach 21 points, but also to outsmart the dealer and not lose. To increase the chances of winning, players should use strategies such as bankroll management, understanding card values and game moves such as hit, stand, split and double. Thus, with the right strategy, patience and a little luck, blackjack can be a profitable casino game.