Online Blackjack Tips And Strategies
Playing Blackjack with a clear and focused strategy is critical if you want to stand a chance at “bringing down the house”. The casino employs all the tricks of the trade, from automatic shuffling machines to different variations of Blackjack, but with a solid Blackjack strategy you’ll be able to minimise the house edge and turn the odds in your favour.
Carry on reading to find out all you need to know about Blackjack strategy. Then simply start using these tactics to get even more enjoyment and value out of this popular game.
The Best Blackjack Strategy
Indeed, blackjack truly is one of the most popular online gambling games. Yet, the way how you approach the game needs to be different from others. Beginners usually talk with other gamblers about different gambling games. Logically, they want to learn more from them and they ask them different questions. Learn more about this exciting blackjack variant, as well as the best places to play Blackjack Switch online in 2020 We share information about tips, rules and payouts. Whilst blackjack incorporates an element of skill and does not rely on sheer chance, it is important to understand that there is no fool-proof strategy to guarantee success. Yet there are certain steps you can take to get the most out of the game. On this page, you will find useful tips and tactics to help you win at online blackjack.
In the world of online Blackjack a good strategy is vital, however, before you can put your Blackjack strategy into play, you need to understand one very important thing – your aim is to beat the dealer, and not simply to get closest to 21 (as is the common misconception). There are a couple of ways to do this – either you score a higher point total than the dealer while avoiding going bust, or the dealer goes bust.
Blackjack Strategy for Playing Better. Casino players are frequently looking for blackjack tips and strategies, especially when playing online games. Blackjack is considered one of the more popular casino games, other than slots. This chapter covers everything you need to know to play wisely in a blackjack tournament either in a land-based or online casino. You’ll learn what the basic rules are for tournaments, the different kinds of tournaments, and some strategy tips to improve your chances of finishing in the money.
There is no 100% guaranteed one-size-fits-all strategy for Blackjack because there are so many variations with different rules. Because of this, each game of Blackjack has its own basic strategy that you can follow. These are mathematical formula that you can apply to each hand you play, based on what the dealer is holding. Below is our hand chart showing a South African Online Casino basic Blackjack strategy you can follow to help you become a more successful online Blackjack player.
Basic online Blackjack strategy will give you the best results but, there are other general strategies you can follow to improve your game, including:
- Insurance – New players often take insurance if the dealer holds an Ace as his face-up card in order to protect their hand in case the dealer holds Blackjack. Sounds tempting but actually it’s advised not to take insurance. Unless you’re a card counter, you have better odds if you carry on playing the hand.
- Splitting – You can split your first two cards to create two separate hands, which is a good strategy to take if you hold two 8’s or two Aces, because those don’t sum up in your favour.
- Surrender – This is not commonly used, but it is a good strategy if you hold a 15 or 16 total, or if the dealer has a 9 or up. You’ll surrender half your bet and proceed to the next hand.
- Doubling Down – This is where you place a double bet and hit for another card. This is the best strategy if you hold a total of 11 from your first two cards, or if you have a 9 or 10 (except when the dealer holds a ten).
- Card counting – This is best left to the pros, and requires immense concentration and practiced skill to be successful.
More Blackjack Tips
Bankroll management is one of the most crucial aspects of Blackjack. You can learn your strategy inside out, but it’s no good to you if you keep running out of Rands. Bankroll management doesn’t lower the house edge, but it does help you to stretch out your funds for as long as possible. The first thing to do when setting up your bankroll management plan is some basic maths based on for how long you plan to play and how much you plan on spending per hand.
Another important decision to make from the outset is what your win-and-loss limit is. Decide upfront at what point you’ll cash out your winnings, and how much you are willing to lose before calling it quits. The general rule is to leave the table once you’ve increased your bankroll by 30-40%, or once you’ve lost maximum 50% of your bankroll.
Another tip is to go with a popular online Blackjack version, because they are favoured for good reason. Some of the most popular Blackjack versions include Pontoon, European Blackjack, and Blackjack Switch. One thing to look for when choosing a Blackjack game is the payout. Try to avoid games that pay out 6:5 on blackjack, as your odds are as much as 4x worse than when you play at a 3:2 table.
Basic Blackjack Tips
Final Words on Blackjack Strategy
Before heading out to the tables, practice your Blackjack strategy and stick to it! Whether you prefer general Blackjack tactics or basic Blackjack strategy, you can minimize the already low house edge of the game. Take a look at our hand chart, engrave it to your Blackjack brain, and reap the rewards!
Remember that discipline is probably the most important strategy of all, yet most often the least practiced. Set yourself limits, stick to your original bankroll plan, and keep in mind that a rational Blackjack player is a winning Blackjack player!
Once you have familiarised yourself with the relatively simple basic rules of blackjack, the next step is to understand how to optimise your chances of success when you play. There have been numerous books written throughout the years with strategies for upping your game.
Whilst blackjack incorporates an element of skill and does not rely on sheer chance, it is important to understand that there is no fool-proof strategy to guarantee success. Yet there are certain steps you can take to get the most out of the game. On this page, you will find useful tips and tactics to help you win at online blackjack.
Choose the Best Casino for Blackjack
Whilst playing blackjack with a particular strategy can boost your chances of winning, there is another vital factor that you need to consider before you even launch a game, and that is where to play. When it comes to playing blackjack online, you are spoilt for choice, with hundreds of online casinos featuring the popular game. You should play at safe, licenced casinos that offer generous bonuses with favourable conditions for blackjack. It is also useful to pick a casino which will allow you to try out the games for free.
Play at a Reputable Online Casino
You should never underestimate the importance of choosing a safe, reliable and reputable online casino. After all, you need to be certain that your sensitive personal and financial data is safe to ensure you are protected against fraud. Furthermore, by playing at legal and UK licenced internet casinos, the fairness and integrity of games has been tested and verified by independent authorities.
If you opt for any old casino that has not met the highest of standards required by the UK Gambling Commission, you run the risk of playing at a rogue casino. This could mean games are rigged, technical security is poor and they could even refuse to pay out your winnings.
Take Advantage of Bonuses for Playing Blackjack
Online Blackjack Tips And Strategies For Beginners
Most online casinos will offer an attractive bonus to encourage you to join. These can offer a great deal for players as they boost your bankroll and allow you to play more. However, not all bonuses are suitable for blackjack players. Most casino bonuses come with certain conditions attached to them. Most significant is the wagering requirement. You will be required to play through the bonus, and in some cases the deposit too, a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings made with it.
As blackjack is one of the casino games with the lowest of house edges, you will often find that any money wagered on the game will not contribute fully towards meeting the playthrough requirement. In some cases, blackjack will be excluded from bonus play altogether. As such, make sure you check the terms attached to any casino bonus to ensure that there is a relatively low playthrough requirement and that blackjack has a favourable weighting. You should also consider the minimum deposit required to claim the bonus and how long it is valid for to ensure you get a good deal.
Play Blackjack for Free
A key advantage of online casinos is that many offer the chance to play games for free in practice mode, as well as for real money. If you are a beginner, playing blackjack for free is a great way to familiarise yourself with the rules, settings and gameplay, with no risk involved. It also allows you to try out innovative variants of the classic game and get a feel for their unique rules and features. By playing for free, you can fully prepare yourself to play confidently with real money.
Other Tips and Strategies for Blackjack
Once you have picked the best casino to play blackjack, there are further ways in which you can influence your success. Your choice of game variant is one element. Another is adopting a basic strategy for taking the right action based on your hand. There are also more advanced options such as card counting. Below, you find out more about each of these ways in which to optimise your chances.
Choice of Game Variant
There are so many different blackjack variants available online and the game you choose can have a significant impact on your chances. Whilst blackjack generally has a very low house edge, there are some variants which reduce the house edge even further. The higher the RTP of the game, the better the situation for the player. Some of the most popular blackjack variants with a very low house edge include Blackjack Switch (0.17%), Pontoon (0.36%) and Blackjack Surrender (0.38%).
It is also crucial that you fully understand the rules of the variant you play, as well as following a strategy chart for that specific variant. It is also worth noting that whilst side bets can offer highly alluring payouts, they actually have a much lower house edge attached to them. So generally speaking, for optimal play, it is best to avoid placing them.
Use a Strategy Card
Whilst some actions in blackjack are obvious, like hitting with 11 points, others may not be so clear to beginners. Luckily, you can use a strategy table to help you determine the best action to take. There are various versions of such charts available which vary slightly according to the game variant, rules and the number of decks in use.
The basic principle is the same for using them. The combination of your starting hand along with the dealer’s up card will indicate the right move to make. If you follow the advice on when to hit, stand, split or double down, you can reduce the house edge to a minimum and optimise your chances of winning.
Card Counting
When you mention blackjack strategies, card counting may immediately spring to mind. But what actually is card counting, and can it be used to increase your profits? The technique centres around keeping track of the number of high and low cards in the shoe to try and identify instances where you are more likely to win.
Various card counting strategies have been developed over time. Yet the simplest is the hi-lo system. Here, you attribute a +1 value to cards 2-6, and a -1 value to cards 10 – A (7 – 9 are neutral cards and have no value attributed to them). With a newly shuffled pack, the count starts at zero and you then add or subtract the relevant values as the cards are dealt and keep a running total. When the running total is positive, it indicates an increased advantage for the player. When the total is negative, it is less favourable for the player.
Whilst card counting strategies can be used in land based casinos, albeit discretely, the situation is not the same for online blackjack. When you play a RNG game variant, the deck is automatically shuffled after every round. As such, it is not feasible to count cards. The exception to this rule comes with live blackjack. In this game, the cards are not shuffled after every round, so it does open up the possibility to give card counting a try.
How to Guarantee Success at Blackjack
There are a variety of actions you can take to play blackjack with an advantage. It starts with choosing a safe and reputable online casino with a favourable bonus. Your choice of variant has an impact on your chances. Whichever you opt for, be sure you understand the rules and follow the relevant strategy chart. Whilst card counting is a fairly advanced technique, you can try your luck with the system against real dealers when playing online. Finally, the most important thing to remember is to have fun. No system can guarantee you long term profits, so ensure you set yourself limits and enjoy the entertainment of playing blackjack.