Online Blackjack Strategy: Maximising Your Chances of Winning
Blackjack. You’ve probably heard of it before, even if you’ve never played it. Or you’re experienced and reading this article, looking for some extra strategies to try and enhance your profits. You’ve come to the right place.
Best Online Blackjack Sites:
1
5 / 5
TOTAL SCORE
Get €50 + 100 Free Spins Welcome bonus!
Betvictor builds on the success of their sports offering to give Irish customers an excellent online casino where new customers can claim up to €300 in bonuses.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit, and wager a min of €10 on selected games within 7 days of registration. Get €50 in Casino Bonus Funds for selected games (40x wagering) and 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash. Bonuses and Free Spins expire in 30 days. T&Cs apply. gamblingcare.ie | Please gamble responsibly
18+ | New IE players only | KYC Verified | Min deposit €10 | 100% bonus up to €150 + 50 Free Spins on Rainbow Cash Pots v/s=€0.10 + 150 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza Hold and Spinner v/s=€0.10 | Min 35x wagering | Bonus code: BIG200 | Valid until 31/08/2023 | Skrill & Neteller deposits Excluded | Bonus Valid for 30 days | Free Spins Valid for 3 days | T&Cs apply | General Promotions Terms Apply
New Player Offer – 10 Days of Free Spins – Get up to 200 Free Spins
Min €10 in lifetime deposits required. Offer must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Reveal prizes of 5, 10 or 20 Free Spins; 10 spins on Free Spins reels available within 20 days, 24 hours between each spin. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+
Min €10 in lifetime deposits required. Offer must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Reveal prizes of 5, 10 or 20 Free Spins; 10 spins on Free Spins reels available within 20 days, 24 hours between each spin. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+
Blackjack is quite possibly the most famous game in the club. It’s been played in different configurations for many years and is a natural game to parts. What makes it remarkable in contrast with most club games is that you can apply system to each hand. Certain plays will return more cash than others, and on the off chance that you can carry out even a fundamental methodology, then you will have the option to lessen the house edge enormously.
The system can be difficult to get a handle on for some, however, the game doesn’t have to have a technique applied to make it invigorating. When you comprehend the essential guidelines, it’s as yet conceivable to bring in cash; you simply need a touch of karma.
This article will explore the basics of blackjack, how to play the game, the house edge, variations of blackjack, betting systems, and effective strategies for playing online blackjack.
Let’s get started.
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a game where you clash with the seller to make the best score of up to 21. At the point when you have a higher score than the seller, then, at that point, you win the hand. At the point when you have a lower score, then, at that point, you lose the hand.
Each card has a specific value: numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10, and Aces can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on the player’s preference. The objective is to achieve a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without going over.
Here is a table listing all of the names and values.
Blackjack – Names and Values
Name
Value
Ace
1 or 11
Two
2
Three
3
Four
4
Five
5
Six
6
Seven
7
Eight
8
Nine
9
Ten
10
Jack
10
Queen
10
King
10
How do you play Blackjack?
You came here to see how to beat the dealer, which is the primary objective of blackjack.
Here’s how:
Draw a hand that is higher than the value of the dealer’s
The dealer draws a hand that goes above 21
Draw a hand value of 21 on your first two cards drawn, and the dealer doesn’t
That’s a very simplified way to win on blackjack. You need to place a wager, which cannot be changed after the game starts.
Then, the game begins. To start, the dealer will deal the player two face-up cards.The dealer will deal themselves two cards too, and one will be face up while the other will stay face down. Then, it’s your turn. You have five options (sometimes, most likely it is four), and here they are:
Hit: Request an additional card to improve their hand’s total value.
Stand: Decline any additional cards and keep their current hand.
Double Down: Double the initial bet and receive one more card before standing.
Split: If the first two cards are of the same value, players can split them into two separate hands and place an additional bet on the second hand.
Surrender: Some variations of blackjack allow players to surrender and retrieve half of their bet if they believe they have a weak hand.
So, you’ve selected your play. How do you then lose to the dealer?
Your hand value is higher than 21
The dealer’s hand has a larger value than yours (at the end of the round)
At the end of the round, the scores and payout are decided. If any of the three factors occur (above) the player wins on their wager. If the score is level, you keep your stake. If your score is lower than that of the dealer, you lose.
How does blackjack happen, then? The player holds an Ace and a ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen, King). The odds of this occurring is 3/2.
House Edge and Blackjack
All casino games are rigged mathematically to favour the casino. You must comprehend how the “house edge” operates and become accustomed to it because each game has one.
One of the most important things to remember about house edge is that the casino will profit from virtually every wager over a sizable sample size. This surprises a lot of people who are unfamiliar with casinos, but it is fundamental to how they generate revenue.
By placing wagers that are advantageous to the casino, the house edge operates. An online slot machine, for instance, can offer a 97% RTP (Return To Player). Typically, the house edge for blackjack is the lowest of any other game. In roulette, for example, European house edge is at 2.7%. It can be 1% for blackjack.
You may be curious as to why online casinos are so eager to promote a game with such a low edge. The majority of players instead rely on “feel” and don’t use this fundamental method, which is why. When players act in this way, the house advantage starts to significantly rise because they aren’t playing well in every situation.
This could seem like a lot to take in if you’re unfamiliar with blackjack or even with casinos in general. In actuality, it’s quite simple, so be sure to take the time to comprehend the house edge and how, in contrast to the majority of other casino games, you can affect it in blackjack.
The house edge is taken over a sizable hand sample, which is the final point to be made here. Millions of hands and combinations of hands have been dealt with.
Variance is the phrase for what occurs immediately. Due to the opportunity to win occasionally, players continue to play. Blackjack may have a house edge of 1% or less, but this does not indicate that over 50, 100, or even 1,000 hands, you will automatically break even or slightly worse.
Variations of Blackjack
There are several variations of blackjack, each with its own rules and nuances. The most common variations include:
Classic Blackjack: This is the standard version of the game, played with one or more decks of cards.
European Blackjack: Similar to Classic Blackjack, but the dealer receives only one face-up card, reducing their chances of having a natural blackjack.
Spanish 21: Played with a Spanish deck (without 10s), Spanish 21 offers different payouts and additional bonus hands.
Pontoon: Popular in the United Kingdom, Pontoon has its own set of rules, including different terminology and unique winning conditions.
The house edge differs per game, as detailed below.
Variations of Blackjack and House Edge
Variant
House Edge
Classic Blackjack
0.50%
European Blackjack
0.39%
Spanish 21
0.38%
Pontoon
9.39%
As you can see, there is more value in some versions of blackjack than others.
Blackjack Betting Systems
Betting systems are often used in blackjack to manage wagers and optimise gameplay. However, it’s important to note that no betting system can guarantee consistent wins. Some popular betting systems include:
Martingale System: In this system, players double their bet after each loss and revert to the original bet after a win.
Paroli System: The Paroli system involves increasing the bet after a win and returning to the initial bet after a loss.
Labouchere System: Players determine a specific sequence of numbers, and each bet is the sum of the first and last numbers in that sequence. The sequence is modified based on wins or losses.
All of these betting systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, but having multiple systems in your repertoire is key to being successful.
Strategy for Playing Blackjack
You may be just starting out blackjack and need some strategies, or you could be experienced and wondering how to win more often. To maximise your chances of winning in online blackjack, it’s important to employ a solid strategy. Here are a few key tips:
Learn Basic Strategy: Study and understand basic blackjack strategy charts that outline the best decisions based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. These are readily available online and can work for many different scenarios.
Manage Your Budget: Set a budget for your blackjack sessions and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses or making large bets that can quickly deplete your funds. This is so you can play for a prolonged amount of time and not waste your money.
Avoid Insurance Bets: An insurance bet is an optional and separate side bet in which players must decide if they want to bet that the dealer’s hole card is a ten or picture card. Insurance bets may seem tempting when the dealer has an Ace, but they generally have a high house edge and are not recommended in the long run.
Practice Card Counting: Why card count? It helps determine whether the player or the dealer has an advantage on the next hand. This is easier when at the casino and card counting is more challenging in online blackjack, but practicing this skill can help you gain an edge in live dealer games.
Summary
So, there you have it. That was a comprehensive guide to online blackjack strategy.
Online blackjack has revolutionised the betting market as it allows you to play from the comfort of your own home. It offers an interactive experience both on an app and website, replicating how it would be at a casino, and allows you to make decisions based on real-time information.
As mentioned, there is no strategy that guarantees wins in online blackjack, but there are ways to improve your chances of winning – especially with the pesky 1% (European) house edge that gives the casino a built-in advantage, something you just can’t get away from. Understand the different probabilities and odds attached to the selections, try different variations of blackjack and perhaps use some of the strategies listed. Be disciplined with your stakes and understand that luck may or may not be on your side, and ride with that luck when it is.
If you are prepared to start out playing blackjack online, hopefully you feel confident with some of the strategies listed and the pragmatic understanding of the different variants and probabilities with the house edge. If you are experienced and looking for tips, maybe try out the strategies and different selections that you may not have used before.
Frequently Asked Questions on Strategy for Online Blackjack
Can card counting be used in online blackjack?
As mentioned, card counting can be more effective in-person as it’s more challenging to implement in online blackjack due to the use of random number generators (RNGs). However, card counting can still be useful in online blackjack.
Is online blackjack rigged?
Popular online casinos use RNGs to ensure fair gameplay, and these RNGs are regularly tested and audited by independent organisations. Always choose licenced and regulated online casinos, this is to ensure a fair and legitimate experience.
Should I take even money if I have a blackjack and the dealer shows an Ace?
Taking even money (accepting a 1 to 1 payout for a blackjack) is a personal decision. It’s generally recommended to decline even money and play out the hand, as statistically, this decision can maximise your long-term profitability, but it is always your decision.