Blackjack, originally called Ving-et-un in France or simply 21 throughout the world, is one of the casino’s most popular games because it proves simpler to master than most people assume. After learning the basic rules, you can start playing 21 quickly, which requires only a few minutes.
This guide helps begginers learn how to play blackjack online, with extra advice on basic strategy and popular side bets like the insurance bet and game variants like Gravity Blackjack. We will guide you to websites where you can put your blackjack skills to use in online play.
Understanding Online Blackjack
What Are Online Blackjack Games?
Online blackjack games are the digital versions of the classic card games found at retail casinos like Vegas, Montenegro, Macau, and Atlantic City. The gameplay and the rules are the same. However, playing online means more options compared to playing in person.
How Do They Work?
- You play against the dealer
- Players hit or stand to get to a playing hand worth 21
- Split pairs for two possible winning hands
How to Start Playing Online Blackjack
1. Choose a Trustworthy Site
Even in the digital era of abundant online casinos, you might be playing Russian Roulette or blackjack at an unlicensed site. Playing blackjack at a licensed online casino offers these exceptional benefits:
- Gaming fairness with random number generators
- Safe gaming environment to play
- Fantastic customer service
- Reputable bonuses to build bankroll
- Safe payment options
2. Understand the Game
While it’s customary to focus on the house edge and RTP, playing online blackjack, for the most part, comes with a uniform RTP rate. Most blackjack games, including Classic and American Blackjack, have an RTP rate of at least 99%.
With that being said, the next winning move is to take time to understand how the game plays. Some real money online casinos support free gameplay, but only with the non-live dealer games. However, all sweepstakes casinos support free gameplay, including live dealer games.
Signing up with a sweepstakes casino with no deposit bonus means new players can unload tons of free Gold Coins that allow them to play different blackjack games to get the hang of playing. Beginners are highly encouraged to play free rounds first to gain some confidence.
Playing for free will also help you understand the blackjack fundamentals. Unlike poker, online blackjack, like playing in person, means players go against the dealer instead of going against other players.
The goal is to have a playing hand that is worth 21 without busting. Busting means having a playing hand greater than 21, which means an automatic loss to the game. Blackjack payouts are 3:2 at most online casinos.
Counting the Cards
Not to be confused with the illegal card counting strategy that became famous by the MIT team in the movie 21, to succeed at blackjack means you need to know how much they count for. Most online blackjack games use six to eight decks, which helps players gain an advantage by forming high-value hands.
Aces count for one or eleven points. Aces in two-card hands count for eleven and one point in three or more cards. Tens and the royalty cards all count for ten points. The other cards count for their straight-up value. Jokers aren’t used to playing blackjack.
3. Making Moves in Blackjack
While it’s possible that a player, or the dealer for the most part, has a natural blackjack, the odds of that happening aren’t high. Usually, after receiving your first two cards, you will most likely hit or stand. To hit means drawing an additional card. While there isn’t a limit to hitting, every hit runs the risk of busting.
Players can also choose to stand with the playing hand they have and take their chances. More advanced blackjack players choose to double down. Doubling down means drawing one final card during the playing round. However, you must match the original deposit.
For beginners, we don’t recommend doubling down because the ideal range for doubling down is usually around a playing hand worth ten or eleven points. Also, doubling down too much can drain your bankroll.
However, blackjack beginners are encouraged to split pairs, especially aces. That way, you can set yourself up to have two potential winning hands. Matching your first wager can have you doubling it, if not getting a 3:2 payout for the high chance of getting a blackjack.
4. Be Wary of Side Bets
Most online blackjack variants support the insurance bet. When the dealer issues all the cards to the players, the first card they deal themselves, face up, is the upcard. If the upcard is an Ace, players have the option of taking the insurance bet.
The concept of the insurance bet is to prevent losing half your bet because the likelihood of the dealer getting blackjack is high. However, it’s possible that you still win, or at the least push, if you and the dealer finish with an identical playing hand. Even when you win or get 21, you still lose to a degree because of the additional bet you have to make.
Conclusion
Thanks to AI, new online blackjack variants, like Gravity Blackjack, are catching on. Before playing any online blackjack game, always have a set budget and a playing schedule. Fortunately, playing at a reputable online casino means you can set responsible gaming measures to stay in control.
