This expert-written guide is going to teach you how to play blackjack online in just a few minutes. This is the world’s favorite card game for a reason; it’s easy to learn and exciting to play.
I’ll begin with a quick overview of the most important blackjack rules. Next, I’ll go into more detail, cover an important blackjack strategy, show you some of the popular game variants, and finish up by showing you the best blackjack sites to play on.
I covered the basic blackjack rules above. However, there’s more to the game. Each blackjack variant will have specific rules around when the dealer must hit or stand, when you can double down or split cards, and whether you can surrender early.
In classic blackjack, here are the rules you need to be aware of:
The dealer must hit on soft 17 and/or if their initial hand is worth less than 17. Soft hands contain an ace.
If the dealer’s hand is 17 or greater, they must stand.
If you open with a natural blackjack, you’ll automatically win unless the dealer also opens with it.
You can double your original stake on any two-card combo. However, when you do so, you’ll only receive one more card.
You can split any pair. Doing so means you have to place your original wager on the second pair. You’ll get an extra card for each to create two hands.
If the dealer has an ace, you can take the insurance side bet. It pays 2:1 if the bet succeeds.
All winning bets are paid 1:1, but when you get natural blackjack, you get paid 3:2 instead.
Learning basic blackjack strategy is the best thing you can do. This is the optimal strategy that shows you how to play every hand dealt to you based solely on your cards and the dealer’s upcard. Basic blackjack strategy minimizes the house edge and maximizes your chance of winning.
Here’s a quick summary of the key components of basic blackjack strategy.
When to Hit or Stand
Hit when your hand total is low (usually 11 or less) since you cannot bust by taking one more card.
Stand on higher totals (usually 17 or more) where the risk of busting is high.
When to Double Down
Double down on totals of 9, 10, or 11 when the dealer has a weaker upcard (typically 6 or below), as the chances of achieving a high total are good.
When to Split Pairs
Always split Aces and 8s.
Never split 10s or 5s.
Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s only when the dealer has specific weaker upcards.
When to Surrender
Surrender 16 if the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.
Surrender 15 if the dealer shows a 10.
This option is only available in some games.
Adjustments Based on the Dealer’s Upcard
Be more cautious (stand more often) when the dealer shows a high upcard (7 through Ace).
Be more aggressive (hit more often) when the dealer shows a low upcard (2 through 6), as the dealer has a higher chance of busting.
Soft Hands (Hands with an Ace)
Always hit on soft 17 or less.
Stand on soft 19 or more.
Soft 18 is situational: stand when the dealer shows a low card (2 through 8), hit or double down when the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.
When you use this strategy, you can be sure you’re playing with the best odds in the casino. Screenshot or memorize the following chart to know what to do in each situation.
There are lots of different types of blackjack games. As live dealer blackjack games take off, there are even more with every passing year. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular blackjack variants and how they work.
Spanish 21
This is a blackjack variant with all the 10 cards removed. This makes it more difficult to achieve natural blackjack, but there are other player-friendly rules to balance it out. For example, the player’s blackjack always bets the dealer’s, and there’s an option to surrender late.
This is a classic blackjack variant with a potentially lucrative side bet. Pairs with different colors and suits pay 5:1, pairs with different colors and the same suit pay 10:1, and pairs with both the same colors and suits pay 30:1.
Typical European Blackjack uses between 2-4 decks and only allows the player to double down on 9, 10, or 11. Plus, European 21 only allows the player to split once, for two hands. American Blackjack (or just “blackjack”) allows up to four hands.
In this game, you can start with two hands and two bets. You can switch cards from one hand to the other. There are a couple of catches, though: the dealer can push on 22 instead of going bust, and natural blackjack pays even money instead of 3:2.
Almost every brick-and-mortar casino on earth has a blackjack table. While you can play at these, there are plenty of online options, and in most cases, playing online is a better deal. More variants, blackjack bonuses, low table minimums, and comfort and convenience all make it better.
Classic blackjack is the best for beginners. It has the simplest rules and is ideal for learning basic strategy. Once you start playing other variants, there are secondary rules to follow, and that complicates things. Start by mastering the classic blackjack variant and build from there.
The basic blackjack strategy outlined above will work online. Card counting techniques can be used, too, but they don’t work online. Digital games have Random Number Generators that make it impossible to count, and live games usually use a show with multiple decks and frequent reshuffling.
BetUS Casino is the best for blackjack. It has 16 variants, including live dealer games. However, the main point is the blackjack reload bonus of up to $500 per deposit. This casino pays quickly when you win, with Bitcoin payouts taking 48 hours on average.
Please Gamble Responsibly
Gambling addiction can ruin lives. Please gamble responsibly, and if you or someone you care about has lost control, utilize the following resources to get help.
So, now you know how to play blackjack online and where to do so. You also have an informed view of the different variants and their pros and cons.
Playing blackjack is fun, and it’s one of the few casino games that involves skill as well as luck. Unlike many other games, you can get better at blackjack and improve the odds and probability of winning.
Take advantage of some of the bonuses and promos above to play blackjack online today. Have fun, and remember that blackjack is entertainment, not necessarily a reliable way to make money.
I’m Gavin Lucas, a gambling enthusiast with a particular love for video slots and live casino games. I have been writing about gambling online since 2015, and am always keen to try new games as soon as they’re released.
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