Online blackjack is the leading game of skill at casino sites. The ageless classic was revolutionized after coming online, with dozens of new exotic variants that slightly shift the gameplay. For the better, of course. What makes online blackjack so attractive over its land-based competitors is the easier use of a blackjack strategy.
Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to find blackjack tips online. In the past, you couldn’t practice your moves and sharpen your skills unless you paid a fat check to a coach. It has all changed with blackjack online. You can play the game for free and master it, while trying any blackjack strategy you can think of without paying a cent.
In this guide, we’ll talk more about the best winning strategies for the game of 21 and share a few blackjack tips. But, before we delve into that, let’s talk more about the blackjack rules.
Blackjack Online Rules
Despite the fact that it looks complex, blackjack is a simple game to play. The game is played against a dealer rather than other players. The dealer is responsible for dealing the cards at the beginning of the game. This happens automatically and is controlled by a Random Number Generator (RNG) in blackjack online games. Despite that, the rules of the game are the same as ever.
When you start the game, you’ll get two cards just like the dealer. Your goal is to get a count of 21 or close to it and beat the dealer’s hand. Going over a count of 21 is called a bust and results in a loss. The dealer can lose too if he goes over 21, although in some blackjack variants, his loss results in a push. This is essentially a tie which results in your bet being returned.
That’s the gist of it. Blackjack online is a great choice for new players, as it allows you to play for fun. This means that you can practice and learn the rules all you want. This is essential for your real money blackjack adventures, as learning the rules and a basic blackjack strategy will make you a much better player.
The Best Blackjack Strategies
There are many online blackjack strategies you’ll find on the web. Simply google the topic and you’ll find numerous recommended strategies by blackjack experts or simple players on forums. The reality is that there are many strategies you can apply when playing blackjack. However, it should also be noted that almost none of these strategies work.
For example, you can use the Labouchere system or the Martingale on blackjack just like you’d use it in roulette. Some players claim they’re efficient. However, that’s far from the truth. Both of these systems require a large bankroll and will bleed it dry if you get stuck in a losing rut.
The only optimal strategy that works in blackjack online is the basic blackjack strategy. It’s not a strategy like the Martingale, but more of a collection of blackjack tips on how to play the game optimally. It means memorizing the right way to hit, stand, split, or double down on each hand.
Here are some of the basic blackjack strategy rules you must follow:
- Never split 10s – you stand a better chance with one hand
- Hit on soft 17s unless the dealer has a bust card
- Split aces and 8s – it’s better to play two such hands instead of one
- Double down on a hard 11
- Either hit or double down on an Ace-6 combo
- Avoid the insurance bet – they’re not worth it
- Place side bets if you’re confident in your blackjack skills
There’s no magical way of learning the basic blackjack strategy. It works best when you do a lot of practice. The great thing about blackjack online is that you can play the game for free. That means free practice, which is a perfect way to try out the basic strategy. Don’t hesitate to practice for as much as you want before you decide to play for real money.
Blackjack Tips
As mentioned earlier, playing blackjack online is best done with the basic strategy. It’s even better when you also employ certain tips into your gameplay exploits. This is the best way to proceed forward for smart players instead of spending a lot of money into ineffective and costly strategies that can go awry.
Manage Your Bankroll
The first thing you should do when playing blackjack or any casino game is to manage your bankroll. Set a bankroll for the day or the week and remember – only bet with money you can afford to lose. It’s best to determine a smaller bankroll and leave the table when you go over the limit. If you don’t manage the money you have, losing everything becomes a big risk.
Bet Steadily
Betting steadily and being patient is the best way to play blackjack. Your bets should be typically small, probably at a betting unit of $1. This kind of approach will keep you in the game for longer and get the most out of your bankroll. Even if you have more money to burn, setting larger bets is a risky way to play blackjack, and will only result in a negative outcome in the short and long run.
Don’t Chase Your Losses
When playing online casino games, it’s important to remember not to chase your losses. This is a negative strategy and one that can burn through your bankroll in a second. If you can’t get out of a losing streak and you think about raising your bets, don’t do it. Just keep a positive mindset, log out, and try another day. Chase your losses and you’ll throw everything you practiced for out of the window.
The Various Online Blackjack Variants
Online blackjack comes in many variants. But, unlike slots or other games, the basics of the game are simple. With that being said, some strategies are better suited to one blackjack variant or another.
If you check the blackjack lobby, you’ll find numerous classic and exotic variants of the game of 21. You can use a blackjack strategy in any of them, as long as you keep your focus and follow the aforementioned blackjack tips.
There are two types of different blackjack games you’ll come across at online casinos – single-hand and multi-hand variants. Their names explain it all. Single-hand allows you to play a single hand on the table, while MH variants are more advanced, and allow you to play several hands simultaneously. While the rules are the same for most of these games, you should approach them with different blackjack strategies.
Popular Single-Hand Blackjack Games
Single-hand blackjack is the classic version of the game. These variants are the golden standard, and are more suitable for the basic blackjack strategy. Classic blackjack online games are available in any online casino, so you can try them for free and get some practice in while mastering the rules.
If you want a bit of a bigger challenge, European Blackjack is a good choice. The dealer receives only one face-up card instead of two, which puts them at an advantage. This simple tweak affects strategy as you don’t know what the dealer holds in his hands.
In Spanish 21, the 10s are removed from the deck. On the other hand, you have late surrender and you can double down after splits. A player’s blackjack always beats the dealer, so with a few strategy tweaks, this can be a lucrative variant. It’s not the perfect fit if you’re card counting, though.
Blackjack Switch is another popular single-hand blackjack variant. In it, you can switch the top cards between hands as a strategic element to get advantage over the dealer. This leaves you with a bit more room to adjust your strategy accordingly. Keep in mind that in order to balance this advantage, the natural blackjack pays even money instead of 3:2.
The Best Multi-Hand Blackjack Variants
Most blackjack online games come in both single and multi-hand variants. You’ll find classic and exotic blackjack games that allow more seats and more hands per round. In reality, nothing changes in these variants. The rules are still the same, but you now have several hands to play against the dealer.
Of course, this requires extra bets and some strategy considerations. Since you’re playing more hands than the usual, you might need to adjust your basic blackjack strategy for each hand. Not all of them will play out the same, so you should be ready to adjust on the go.
This means that multi-hand variants are best left to the pros. Or you can try them for free before you start playing for real money, as the extra hands offer an extra challenge.
Conclusion
The main advantages of blackjack online is that you can play it for free and get some practice in. That’s not something you can do at land-based casinos. You’ll likely spend a lot of money to learn the blackjack rules, and trainers cost a small fortune. With online blackjack, you can practice all you want, which also gives you a chance to try a proper blackjack strategy.
You can practice all you want at online casinos, so don’t hesitate to put some free runs in. With our blackjack tips and a good strategy, you will master the game of 21 soon. When you’re ready to play blackjack online for real money, you can head for a live casino and experience an immersive real-time atmosphere. Keep your strategy in mind and we have no doubt you’ll learn how to beat the dealer in any situation.
