In this article we want to explain to you how to play blackjack both online and in a casino. In the card game blackjack the objective is to get as close as possible to the number 21 without going over it and at the same time you need to get a higher number of points than the bank. Online blackjack is not only very popular, but it is also a casino game, where the house’s advantage can be very low if you use a good strategy, which we explain to you here. Above all, online blackjack is a lot of fun to play. It’s not difficult to master the rules and step by step you can choose to delve deeper into this fun online casino game.
The best online blackjack casinos
At top10gambling you can find not only the game rules, strategy and a free blackjack trainer, but also a handy overview of the best online blackjack casinos.
The editors at our site have extensively tested the online casinos in terms of the game offerings of online blackjack. They also looked at the first deposit bonus offered by an online casino. Indeed, by taking advantage of a first deposit bonus, you can significantly reduce the house’s advantage in online blackjack.
Fortunately, the rules of online blackjack are very simple and it does not take long before you will master the basics of (online) blackjack. “In fact, you only need to be able to count to 21 to play blackjack.”
The Dealer
The game begins when each player makes a bet and then receives two cards. The dealer also receives two cards. All of the players’ cards are face up and the dealer exposes only one card. It does not matter if the other players can see your cards because you are only playing against the house.
The goal of blackjack
You must try to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. The cards have the value they indicate, with all the images being worth 10 and the aces being worth 1 or 11. If your two cards do not form a number you think you can beat the dealer with based on his face-up card, you can take a ‘hit’ and get an extra card. You can keep taking ‘hits’ until you go over 21. In that case, you ‘bust’ and lose your bet.
If you are satisfied with your total, you can choose “stand” and then it is the next player’s turn. If it is the dealer’s turn, he turns over his other card. If he has a 16 or less, he must go for “hit,” as he must continue until he has 17 or more. The rules regarding whether or not a dealer must continue playing with a “soft” 17, i.e. A6, where he cannot bust because he can use the ace as a 1 point, vary from casino to casino.
If the dealer busts, everyone who has not yet busted wins. If he does not bust, he pays even more money to the players who have a higher total than him. A tie is a stand-off and no one wins.
Players indicate whether to continue playing by tapping their cards or the table. A player indicates whether he wants to quit by waving his hands over the cards. At a live casino, dealers will not act until you have given them a hand signal so that the casino camera can resolve disputes about the player’s intended action.
Other Blackjack rules
Players also have the option of choosing to “double down,” taking a card to double or split their bet, taking two cards of the same value to form the first cards of two new hands, aka doubling the bet. They can also take “insurance” if the dealer shows an ace. If they do that, they play even if the dealer has a blackjack, but lose half of a bet if he does not (on top of what is won or lost on the outcome of the hand). If you like poker this site for you.
Strategy and helpful tips
The game that offers by far the best opportunities to optimize your odds of winning is Blackjack. Win odds are almost entirely in your own hands in the long run, which is why this is one of the few casino games where, with good knowledge of Blackjack probability calculation, you can use your own skills to drastically reduce the house’s share.
Increase Your Blackjack Win Odds
Every casino player, no matter how high or low the limits, will be interested in a way to increase his or her Blackjack odds of winning. Blackjack odds are anything but difficult, and we will take you step-by-step through the rest of this article to master the wonderful game called Blackjack. Probability depends entirely on the course of the game. By executing the right action at the right time, you can reduce the house share to the minimum of 0.45%!
What does the Blackjack Dealer have?
One of the ways you can beat the dealer in Blackjack is to bust him, which means he deals himself a hand of 22 or higher. Because so many different cards are worth ten, it is very advantageous if the dealer shows a 4, a 5, or a 6. There is then a good chance that the dealer will draw two cards that will raise him above 22, bust him, and you win. You should take this into account when deciding what to do.
If you have a combination that allows you to bust, you should always pass when the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6. This maximizes your chances of winning Blackjack and gives the dealer a chance to bust.
Bet High At High Blackjack Odds
When you have a hand worth its weight in gold, don’t hesitate to make the most of it. By means of doubling you throw an extra amount of money into the middle when your blackjack odds are highest. If you have 11 down, you always double unless the dealer shows an Ace. With a 10, you always double unless the dealer has an Ace or a ten. With a 9 you double only if the dealer shows a six or lower.
Don’t play too conservatively
The most important information on the table for free is the card the dealer has face up. Make good and merciless use of this and make sure you don’t get scared and play too conservatively. This is fatal to your Blackjack odds of winning. Correct Blackjack probability calculation shows that if the dealer has a 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace, you should ask for a card with every hand up to the 16.
Despite the fact that you run a high risk of going rotten yourself, asking for a card is by far the best option in these situations. The high probability that the dealer with a 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace makes something that beats your hand ensures that asking for a card is mathematically correct to optimize your Blackjack winning chances.
Reducing the house’s advantage
But even if you use an optimal blackjack strategy, the house has an advantage over you, but this advantage is smaller than in most other casino games – if you play well. Many people play blackjack in a way that does not provide the best odds. With good strategy, a disciplined mindset, and lots of practice, you can keep the house’s advantage at a minimum and get maximum enjoyment out of the game.
Barrie says
Great directions on how to play black jack. I don’t gamble but I Like a good card game.
Dana says
I hate gambling (other than an occassional powerball or scratch-off) but I had a boyfriend ages ago – that could count cards. This was before the mutli-deck dealers that shuffle midway through
Rita Wray says
I don’t think it’s for me.
Kim Henrichs says
Interesting. I love card games but have neve known how to play this one.