Guide on How to Play Blackjack Online

Guide on How to Play Blackjack Online

The rise of iGaming means that players have much more choice now than ever before. With no limit to the number of titles they can feature, each online casino offers a vast selection of slots, card and table games, plus additional options such as bingo, keno and scratchcards.

Amongst that wide range, blackjack is the most popular card game. It doesn’t have complicated rules, so it’s good for newbies, but the fast-paced action makes blackjack the first choice for experienced players too.

For those who have yet to get involved with blackjack, here are the best quick tips on how to proceed.

The object of the game

When you’re new to any game, it’s essential to understand the rules. Blackjack is a card game where it’s a simple battle between the player and the dealer.

👉 Unlike poker, there are no other opponents to compete with, and that’s another reason why many prefer blackjack.

The objective is to score 21, or get as close as possible to this score without going above it. In doing so, you have to beat the dealer’s score. A tied hand on the same number of points will mean that the dealer wins.

At the start of the game, the player and dealer receive two cards each. The player’s cards are face up, whilst one dealer card is face up and the other face down. The player must then decide whether to ‘hit’ – take another card, or ‘stand’ – leave their hand as it is.

The dealer then follows the same process, and the highest hand wins. There are additional rules such as the ability to split. A split is an option when the player receives a pair of identical cards. They then have the option to split them into two separate hands.

Those are the basics, but how do you master the art of blackjack?

Understanding the scoring system

Many different card games have their own scoring systems, and blackjack is a perfect example.

  • All cards from 2 to 10 count as their face value.
  • The picture cards—jack, queen, and king—all count as ten points.

👀 The ace in the pack is flexible. This card can count as either one or eleven points, depending on how beneficial each option is to your hand.

For example, if you drew a nine and an ace, you should count that ace as 11 points, as your hand amounts to a competitive 20.

The unique scoring system in blackjack will become more familiar as you continue to play.

A question of probability

Now you are aware of the scoring system, you can begin to use mathematical probability as you manage your blackjack hand. As we saw in the previous section, most cards in a standard deck of 52 count as ten points.

This suggests that, if you have a hand of 16, for example, and it is made up of a 9 and a 7, there is a higher probability of the next card counting as ten, and your score will therefore bust.

In contrast, if there are more high cards on the table, the possibility of drawing a lower number is reduced. Whilst there are no guarantees, it’s important to understand probability in blackjack, as it hints at the likelihood of your hand winning.

(Be aware, however, that many blackjack tables will play with multiple packs of shuffled cards to dissuade card counters.)

Stay calm under pressure

Playing blackjack requires a number of different mental skills and staying calm is one of the most important. This is particularly true if you’re not having a great day at the table and are down overall.

It’s vital to apply good money management and not to chase losses, as it’s easy to lose your judgement in these circumstances. Instead of looking to play a sensible hand, you may be tempted to hope for a miracle card.

🚨 Don’t be swayed into hitting when the sensible thing to do is stand.

When you play with real stakes, a good recommendation is to set aside 10% of your account balance for a session. If you have a good day, you can continue, but if you use up that 10%, simply walk away and come back another time.

Test it out for yourself

Those are the basics of blackjack, along with some advanced tips, but nothing can replace the experience of playing the game. When you play for real, the scoring system and the rules of blackjack will quickly become second nature.

The good news is that most online casinos allow you to play the game for free as a trial option. You cannot win a cash prize in this way, but equally, there is no real money at stake.

Whilst you’ll have the basic knowledge of blackjack after following these tips, those free games can really help you to hone your skills. You’ll begin to understand probability, the strength of hands, and whether to hit or stand.

It’s a game that all players can enjoy, whether on a recreational or more serious level, and these suggestions are a great way to get started.

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