How to Master Blackjack Online: Strategies and Tips

Blackjack is one of the select few games that, despite being played against casinos, can bring players short-term and long-term profits. To achieve that, however, would require much more than just luck. Below, we will guide you through the whole journey – from being a complete newbie to someone with a fair chance to consistently win at blackjack.

What Is Blackjack?

Blackjack is a card game played against a dealer – alone or with other participants. At the beginning of each round, he hands players and themselves 2 cards. While the players’ cards are face down, one of the dealer’s is faced up. Only at this point does the game truly start, as each player, starting clockwise, is offered a choice – to either Hit, Stand, Double, or Split. Each of those actions can significantly impact the profitability of the round – but we will come back to them later.

The goal of the game is to have a hand with a total value of 21 or as close to it as possible without exceeding the goal. The winner is decided based on who is closer to the desired value. Thus, before making any move, players need to evaluate both their own hand and the hand of the dealer.

All numbered cards are counted as their value, while all face cards are 10s. The Ace is the only card that changes value depending on other cards – it can be either 11 or 1. If the overall value of the hand is over 11, the Ace is counted as 1. If a player gets a natural blackjack (10 and Ace as their first 2 cards), they are considered a winner unless the dealer also has one.

Essential Information to Learn Before Getting Started

There are a lot of things that players need to grasp before engaging in real money games of blackjack. Among those are:

• Before engaging in online blackjack, make sure to use everything the site has to offer. While online casino offers for card games are rare, some still exist. To save yourself some time, refer to the list of Slotozilla bonuses.
• Hit is an action that requests for another card. Players are free to use this option in most cases, but only when their hand is not already 21.
• Stand is an action that indicates that you wish to leave the hand as it is.
• When the hand is formed with an Ace, it is called Soft.
• Dealers have to stand when their hand reaches 17 or higher. Depending on the rules of the table, the Stand rule might be applicable only on ‘hard’ 17.
• Double multiplies your bet by 2 and automatically requests another card. Note that most blackjack tables do not allow splits and hits after the action is taken.
• Split allows players to separate a pair of cards and turn them into 2 different hands. When the action is taken, both hands receive an additional card each. Keep in mind that you should learn whether another split is possible on a particular table before engaging in a session, as it can heavily influence your strategy.
• Depending on the variation of the game and rules of the specific tables, when the dealer’s face card is an Ace, players are offered Insurance against the natural blackjack before taking any other actions. If you used Insurance and the dealer does have blackjack, you get a payout of 2:1 on your Insurance bet.
• Some blackjack tables do not offer Insurance if the dealer’s face card is a 10.
• Most online blackjack tables use 8 decks, making card counting useless.
• Sometimes there is an option of Surrender, which allows getting 50% of the bet back.
• Many modern games offer side bets like 21+3 (a bet on a player’s 2 cards and a dealer’s face card forming a shortened poker hand like street) and perfect pair (first 2 cards of a player forming a suited pair). While the payouts on side bets are very lucrative and can reach up to x1000 of the bet, they are known to increase the house edge.
• Side bets can win even if you lose the main hand. However, depending on the rules of the table, splitting can cause your side bets to lose, so make sure to check for that.

Optimised Moves to Win at Blackjack

Blackjack is famous for boasting an RTP of 99.5%. However, this value can be reached only if you follow an optimised strategy. It is completely legal to use it in online casinos; therefore, if you are just starting your blackjack journey, always have it open in a separate tab/screen. The table below outlines the strategy for 4-8 deck blackjack with dealers standing on Soft 17.

When you have a 15 and are faced with dealer 10, you are supposed to Surrender, or if it is not allowed, Hit. The same action is advised if you have 16 and faced with dealer 9, 10 or Ace.

Master the Game and Enjoy the Process

Understanding the game's rules, using optimised methods, and practising disciplined gameplay are all required to master blackjack. While luck plays a role, using a planned strategy considerably boosts your chances of success.

Always start by familiarising yourself with the basics, such as hitting, standing, doubling, and splitting. Use the strategy table as a guide during gameplay to make informed decisions and reduce the house edge. Don’t overlook the importance of reading table rules, especially regarding variations like Insurance, Surrender, or side bets, as these can affect your overall strategy.

Finally, remember that this game is as much about patience and focus as it is about strategy. Stick to your game plan, manage your bankroll wisely, and continuously refine your skills. With time and practice, you’ll enjoy the game and develop the expertise to play like a pro.