Log into any worthwhile online casino, and you are presented with a seemingly endless line of online casino games, including new weekly releases. However, one of the most in-demand online casino games remains blackjack. It’s not hard to understand why when you consider it is one of the most simple card games to play. Also, most online blackjack games are very friendly to the player’s budget, with an average RTP of 99%.
Even if you know a thing or two about online blackjack, this guide gives you pro tips to take your game to the next level. Of course, if you’re new to online blackjack and are looking for pointers and ways to begin, this article is a great place to start.
Finding the Blackjack Games with a Low House Edge
The great part about this section is that players don’t have to look very far or long to find blackjack games with a low house edge. On average, the house edge is about 0.5% to 1%, which is a steal for casino game players. The typical blackjack game of choice is American Blackjack. The typical house edge for American Blackjack is 0.5%, but it can be lower, which is always a major boon for blackjack players. European Blackjack is another fan-favorite option with a similarly low house edge.
Stick with a Budget
Some online blackjack games support VIP and high-rollers with deep pockets, while others are more affordable. For non-high-rollers, it is wise to come up with a budget and deal with the blackjack games that only cost a dollar or less per playing hand. Setting up responsible gaming measures is also a savvy move to help prevent gambling and gaming disorders.
Know the Rules
Of all the card and table games, online blackjack is the closest, offering players a 50% chance of winning. Unlike poker, online blackjack, like the ones played at retail casinos, has the player going against the dealer. Each player received two cards, as does the dealer. If the two cards add up to 21, the player or the dealer automatically wins with a natural blackjack hand.
However, in most cases, players will have to hit, which is blackjack slang for drawing a third card. While hitting adds to your playing hand total, hitting too much or at the wrong time results in busting, which means going over 21. In that case, the player automatically loses, but so can the dealer.
Counting Cards
To succeed at online blackjack, players must know how to count the cards. Depending on the playing hand, Aces count for eleven or a single point. If an ace is part of two-card hands, it is considered soft, meaning it counts for eleven points. If a player draws a third card that technically goes over 21, the Ace becomes a point to prevent busting. If it doesn’t, the Ace still counts for eleven points.
Two Aces count for a point. Tens and the Royalty Cards all count for ten points, unlike Baccarat, which counts for zero points. The playing cards deuce through nines count for their straight-up value, as indicated on the card.
Knowing when the Dealer Must Hit
In online blackjack, to hit is to draw a third card, and to stand means to roll with the current card hand you have. Some online blackjack games require the dealer to hit until they get to seventeen or better or to automatically stand if their first two cards equal a soft 17.
Keep It Simple
While playing online blackjack isn’t an overly complicated card game to play, it does take some knowing to successfully go against the dealer. If you’re playing hand is worth seventeen or more points, the rule of thumb is to stand. Also, most online blackjack games give you the option of doubling down. To double down means to hit for one final card in the playing round while matching your initial bet.
If you double down with a low playing card, you might be stuck while the dealer wins with a higher playing hand. Also, there is usually the option to split pairs. The pro blackjack rule is to always split aces because it puts you in the driver’s seat to have two potential winning hands. Also, splitting aces means it’s impossible to bust with the next drawn card.
Stay Away From Side Bets
Most online blackjack games at least support the insurance side bet. If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, there is the option for spending more money to prevent losing the entire bet because it is likely that the dealer will win.
The issue is that if you win, you still lose money with the insurance bet. And if you lose anyway, you still lose more than what you put in.
Practice for Free
The great news is that more online casinos support demo play for their casino games. Also, joining sweepstakes casinos and using gold coins is another great way to play free casino games like online blackjack. By having gold coins to play competitive live blackjack, you can get a good feel about what works and the actual pace of the game. You can also try out different blackjack betting strategies or how effective your blackjack chart is.
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