Learning to play online Blackjack

If you’ve been wanting to learn how to play online Blackjack, now’s your chance! We’ll take you through the basics of the game and give you the confidence and the foundation you need to start placing your bets in one of the world’s most famous and well-loved table games. Once you’ve got the knowledge though it’s up to you. Practice makes perfect. And if you practice enough, you could soon start boosting your bankroll in a hugely satisfying way. Are you ready? Then let’s begin!

Understanding Online Blackjack

Blackjack is a time-honoured favourite of both beginners and expert players alike, and it’s easy to see why. That’s because at its heart, the premise of online Blackjack is simple. Get a card hand value as close as possible to 21 without going over. If your hand beats the dealer, you’ve won. If it doesn’t, you’ve lost – simple as that.

So how do you get there? Firstly by learning what the various card hand values are:

Aces – 1 or 11 points
Number cards (2 to 10) – face value
Picture cards (J, Q, K) – 10 points

Easy, right? Once you’ve got this down, which shouldn’t take long. You’ll be ready to start going through a game of classic online Blackjack. Once you’ve mastered this, there are plenty of other variations you can try. From Pontoon to European Blackjack, Multi-hand Blackjack and more. But for now let’s keep it simple. And run you through a game of traditional casino Blackjack.

For starters, it’s worth noting that each game of online Blackjack has its own lower and upper limits. Make sure you’re playing a game with limits that suit your bankroll. And not one more suited to high rollers (or you’ll lose your bankroll very quickly!). If you’re in the right game, great. Just choose the correct coin denomination to make sure you’re betting the right amount. And click ‘Deal’. You’ll then be dealt two cards face up. While the dealer will be dealt two cards, one face up and one face down.

If you’ve been dealt online Blackjack….

An Ace and a picture card, right from the initial deal, you’ll be an instant winner. And you’ll be paid out 3:2. If both you and the dealer have Blackjack. The hand will be pushed (tied) and you’ll win your money back. If no one has Blackjack, the game will continue as normal. And you’ll need to decide what to do next. Luckily, there are a number of options available to you:

Stand – Stay as is with your two cards and don’t draw any more.
Hit – Ask for one or more cards until you’re happy with your hand. Or until you go bust with a card hand value over 21, online blackjack.
Double Down – If you’re feeling confident about your hand, you can choose to double the size of your bet in exchange for one more card.
Split – If you’re dealt 2 identical cards (i.e. 2 Jacks), you can choose to split the pair into two separate hands. You’ll double your bet and then play each hand separately, giving you double the chances of winning.

Once you’re done making your decisions, the game will continue with the dealer’s turn.

They will reveal their face down card, and the play will progress. If the dealer’s card is worth 16 or less, they must draw another card. If their hand is worth 17. They will need to stand (however if the hand is a soft 17, i.e. an Ace and a 7, some casinos will allow the dealer to hit). If the dealer’s hand is higher, you’ll lose. If your hand is higher or the dealer busts (goes over 21), you’ll win even money. When hands are equal, the game is pushed (tied) and you win your money back. It’s that easy!

How to improve your winning chances

That’s the basics of online Blackjack covered. Now how do you go about beating the dealer and increasing your chances of winning? Firstly, through experience – by playing as often as your bankroll allows, and learning the ins and outs of the game as you go. Blackjack falls into the happy category of games that rely on skill just as much as luck, so the more experienced you become, the more you’ll be able to reduce the house edge in your favour and actually start to influence the outcome of a game – something that’s impossible to do in purely luck-based games like slots.

The other way to become more skilled in Blackjack is by following useful tips from the experts, such as:

Don’t take out Blackjack insurance: If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you’ll be given the option of taking out an insurance side bet, essentially protecting you against the dealer getting online Blackjack off the initial deal. While it might sound like a good idea, taking out insurance actually increases the house edge to 6%, and even if you win, you’ll only break even. Resist the urge to take out insurance and keep your money in your bankroll where it belongs.
Avoid side bets: Staying with the topic of side bets, to keep things simple just avoid all side bets at all costs. Some of them can seem like lucrative options but your chances of winning with a side bet are very unlikely – it’s the house that’ll win the side bet pretty much every time, not you. Again, manage your finances responsibly by steering clear.
Take it slow: There can be a temptation in Blackjack to rush your bets and move through games quickly – but it’s this that’ll see you losing the game if you’re not careful. Unless you’re playing live dealer Blackjack (and even then) there’s no reason to rush things. Take your time, make a measured, clear-headed decision and you’ll be far more likely to influence a positive outcome for yourself.

There are more online Blackjack tips and tricks to follow, but we don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information when you’re just starting out. The important thing to remember is that Blackjack, like any casino game is about having fun. So place your bets, learn as much as you can while you play, and enjoy every moment of this casino favourite!