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Blackjack is one of the most accessible casino games out there. Its rules are extremely simple to learn (as long as you’re learning the American variant, of course), but the endless combinations of cards and hands both you and the dealer can end up with make it a compelling and exciting game.
If you’ve been wondering about starting to play online blackjack, then you’re not alone. Blackjack is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, casino games out there. With that said, it’s not simply a matter of wandering into an online casino and just starting to play. Here are our top tips for beginning your online blackjack journey.
Pick the right site
You might look at ten or fifteen different casino websites and come to the conclusion that they’re all the same. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. Each casino site is built differently; they all have different bonuses, games, and features to offer you, so it’s important to choose which one you want to play on carefully.
There are a number of things to look for. You can use this website as a marker; it’s one of the most accomplished online blackjack portals out there, so any site you want to play on should at least match that site in terms of quality. Our recommendation? Just stick with the site we linked; it’s the best place to play blackjack on the web.
Learn the rules
While it’s definitely true that blackjack has less complicated rules than many other casino games do, you should still learn them in and out. Luckily, they’re pretty simple: you’re aiming to get 21, or as close to it as possible. Aces are worth either 1 or 11 points – you get to decide which – and face cards (kings, jacks, and queens) are worth 10.
That’s pretty much all there is to it, although there are a number of other, more specialised rules you need to learn. Blackjack is all about when you should stick, when you need to twist, and when you need to fold. It’s mostly luck, but there is some skill involved, so it’ll take a little time to get good!
Play for free first
Don’t barrel straight into a game of blackjack where there’s real money on the line. Instead, start up a free account or try and find a free alternative online where you can practice your skills. There’s nothing worse than heading straight into a game you don’t understand and losing money as a result.
While a free account with an established casino is ideal – that way, you get to learn your way around the games – you can also simply find a browser-based version of blackjack. Even better, you could acquire a pack of cards and try setting up your own game of blackjack. Playing the game physically with friends and family is great fun!
Learn your play options
It’s not just about the cards you’re dealt when you’re playing online blackjack. Each turn, you’ll have options that will dictate what kind of move you want to make. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll be able to do in online blackjack.
- Hit: This is the most basic option. When you “hit”, you’re simply choosing to tell the dealer to add another card to your hand. You can’t do this if you hit 21.
- Stand: Standing means you’re not drawing any more cards and that you’d like to play with the hand you currently have.
- Split: If you get two cards which have the same value – two 6s, perhaps, or two aces – you can “split”, which creates a second hand from the duplicate card.
- Double: When you’re pretty sure you’re going to win, choose “double” to multiply the size of your wager by 2. Only do this if you’re supremely confident you’re going to win!
- Surrender: This is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll give up your hand and lose this round, but you’ll get half of your bet back if you surrender rather than losing outright.
- Insurance: If the dealer is showing an ace, you can play an insurance bet, in which you’ll bet half of your starting amount and get double if the dealer has blackjack in their hand.
These are the basic ways in which you can make a move in online blackjack. Different variants may have slightly different rules, but this is the basis from which to proceed; most online blackjack games will allow you to make these moves.
Don’t worry about other players
Most online blackjack games will allow you to play alongside other players. You don’t need to worry about them, though; all you need to think about is the dealer. Don’t focus on what other players are getting in their hands, because it won’t affect you in the slightest. Just think about what’s in your hand.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t watch what other players are doing. Sometimes, it’s good to observe their behaviour so you can use it to build your own strategic approach. For example, if you’re seeing other players always hit or stand on certain numbers and it’s working for them, that could be something you could incorporate into your own play.
We hope this guide on how to start your online blackjack journey has been helpful. Are you just starting out? Are you a pro with some tips to share? Let us know!
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