Blackjack is one of the most iconic casino games of all time. It retains its crown as arguably the most popular casino game of the past decades. And this is no surprise. As a game that needs both fortune and strategy, it offers excitement that very few games ever manage to achieve.
Are you thinking about playing this game? If so, then this guide can help you get the best from the game. Our best online blackjack guide focuses on teaching you the easy rules of this game and the strategies that can help you win most of your games.
Terms That You Need To Know In Blackjack
Before we delve further into this article, it is best to know some vital terms. These will come up often throughout the post, so you can refer to the table of definitions below to get a better understanding of each term you encounter.
| Term | Definition |
| Stand | This is defined as what you do when you are dealt a hand you believe is good enough to defeat the machine. When you take a ‘stand’, the house continues until you are defeated or go over 21. |
| Hit | The game of blackjack has each player dealt a pair of cards. If you want another card added to the two you have been dealt, then you ask for a ‘hit.’ In blackjack, the aim is to get to 21 or as close a number to that in total face value without going above that number. |
| Split | The two first cards that you get are of different values. However, there are times when the two cards are the same. For instance, you might be dealt a pair of kings. In such a situation, you can choose to split your hand into two different hands and place wagers on each hand. Each hand must be played independently. You can decide to stand, to stay , or to bust. |
| Double | If the first two cards you are dealt are close to 21 and you feel one more card will make you get even closer, then you can double your wager. You can do this as well when you split hands. |
| Blackjack | This is the ultimate hand. It is the best hand, and it is composed of a card with face value of ten and an ace. |
| Even Money | Even money exists only in blackjack. If you have a blackjack and the house shows an ace, you can ask for money. Doing so will entitle the player to a 1: 1 payout. |
| First Base | The first base refers to the person that is the first to act in a game. The first base is the player sitting on the dealer’s immediate left. They get the first cards, and they will play first. The only time he might not play first is if the game is not a tournament. |
| Hole Card | This refers to a card that lies face down. It is an important card because it is only revealed after players have chosen the action they will take on their hands. |
| Surrender | This is just as the term implies. If you have a hand that you believe is not good, then you can surrender the hand. When you surrender the hand, you will be given half of your wager. |
| Upcard | This card belongs to the dealer and lies face-up |
Finding the Best Online Blackjack at Online Casinos
Whether you are just foraying into the game, or you have been playing it for a long time, there is no denying the fun that blackjack gives. Not only is it fun to play, but if you get your strategies right, you can walk away with impressive winnings.
What other reasons are there to play this game? In the section below, we list out some of our favorite reasons to play blackjack.
Why Play Blackjack Online?
- One reason why you should play blackjack is that it is one of the most popular games on the planet, especially at casinos. There’s a reason why it is a beloved game, and just one try will get you hooked. Whether you play online or offline, you will have a great time with the game.
- Blackjack is also a game that combines skill and chance to give you an excitement level other games can only aspire to give.
- Blackjack is easy to play and learn
- With the right strategies, you can beat the house. The best strategies will ensure that you reduce the house advantage to below one percent. In this article, we give you a strategy that can help you to effectively reduce the house edge.
4 Tips That Can Help You Get the Best Online Blackjack Casino
If you are playing blackjack online, then you must look for the best online blackjack casinos. Here are some of the best tips that can assist you in selecting the best online blackjack casino.
● Select the Casino That Gives the Best Blackjack Bonus but Remember the Terms and Conditions
This is one of the most important tips that can assist you in choosing an online casino that you’ll have a great time playing at.
There is no denying that one of the reasons why you are playing at an online casino instead of a physical casino is that you get loads of bonuses playing online. You can get all of these even before you play a single game.
However, as with almost everything, there is a catch. Most of the casinos that offer mouth-watering bonuses have several terms and conditions attached. Therefore you must keep an eye on all these, so you don’t end up being duped, so to speak.
While many people gloss over the terms and conditions, you should keep an eye on these because they show you the essential information about any bonuses that you are being offered. One of the bonuses that people don’t read the T and C’s is the sign-up bonus.
These appear very attractive, but you must meet the conditions before you can withdraw the bonus.
● Select a Secure Online Real Money Casino with Great Payout Percentage
Another thing that we recommend that you consider when choosing an online casino is to check out the security. In this world of hacking and online theft, it is important that the site you choose is secure. If it isn’t secure, then your important information might get stolen and used for wrong, unauthorized purposes.
Therefore, check out the site to ensure that it is secure. One of the ways to know whether the casino is secure is to determine if it is licensed and regulated by a gaming authority. If it isn’t licensed, then you might be playing with fire. It is also essential to check if it has an SSL certificate for security.
Apart from the security of the site, you should also look to select an online casino that has a good payout system. This will ensure that you get the best value for your money.
● Real Money Games
Classic blackjack is great; however, it doesn’t hurt to play other versions. You can choose these other types of blackjack if you want to derive even more fun from your gameplay.
Before you choose the online casino, then look out for the variations of blackjack that are available on the platform.
● Cross-Compatible Games
When selecting the casino to play at, you should consider where you will be playing it from. This means that the device or devices you use should be compatible with the online casino. Many of the options on the internet are compatible with different devices; however, that is not always true.
To avoid disappointment, it is best to confirm that the online blackjack will play on your devices. Some might not be compatible on mobile and are best played on your desktop computer. The best option is to select an online casino that has an app.
Aim of Blackjack
Whether you are playing online or offline, the goal of the game is the same – you need a blackjack and make the dealer or house go bust. If you don’t get a blackjack, you can request for cards until you get a score that is as close to 21, but not above.
This aim is the same no matter where you play.
Blackjack Rules and Fundamentals
As we have pointed out above, the goal of the game is to defeat the dealer. Whether online, offline, real money play or just for fun, this goal remains the same.
The first rule of thumb of this game is that you must not go bust. Instead of you going bust, you must use a strategy that has the dealer go bust.
Learning blackjack, as we have said, is pretty easy. Unlike other games that take time to learn, you don’t need the whole day before you can get the basics of the game. One particular advantage of online games is that it offers you a way to practice and get better at playing faster.
If this is your first time playing this game, check out the video below to learn all the easy rules and fundamentals.
Here are the fundamentals of this game.
● Place Your Wager
Before the cards are doled out, each player needs to place their wager. Afterward, the dealer gives out cards to each player.
● Know Your Score
After placing your bet, the dealer distributes a pair of cards to all the players as well as himself. One of the dealer’s cards is visible for all the players to view. This card is the upcard. The hole card is the second card the dealer has, and it is face down. It is revealed at the end of the game.
After you receive and view your cards, you can calculate your score.
● Make Your Move
After you determine your score, you need to decide what to do. You have three choices to make. You can either stand, double, or split. As you play, always keep the goal of the game in mind – beating the dealer and getting a score of 21 or as close to that as possible. If you get a value above 21, then you have lost the game.
It is important to know the value of each card when calculating your score. Here are the card values to consider:
- An ace is 1 or 11 points
- Face cards are ten points value
- All the other cards’ values are their face value.
If all the cards that you have are calculated and are above 21, then you have lost. Keep these rules in mind as you play this game.
Best Online Blackjack Strategy
Now that you know the rules of the game, you can start to draw up a strategy to help you win the game. Some players of the game throw the money on the table, but you need to play smarter if you want to win more consistently. Blackjack is a combination of fortune and strategy.
As a player, you cannot control the cards that you get. However, while you cannot control the cards that you receive, what you can really determine is the strategy that you will use.
Blackjack is an exciting game that lends itself to up to 340 hand combinations. Therefore, you need to know the right strategy to use passed on the hand that you receive. You should know your cards, determine the best time to split, double, stand, or hit.
Another thing that can assist you is knowing the difference between a hard hand and a soft hand.
Betting Systems
One way to beat the dealer is by using a smart wager system to place smart wagers. This system is applicable, not just to blackjack, but even other games played at a casino. It is divided into the positive and negative parts.
With the systems that we have provided in the table below, you can play this game online and win.
| Blackjack Betting Systems | Description | Progressive / Negative |
| Fibonacci Betting System | Use the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144. Each number is a betting unit, choose a base betting unit and move up the sequence when you lose, and move down two when you win. | Negative |
| Martingale Betting System | Double your bet when you lose and bet your base stake when you win. Aimed to maximize winning streaks. | Negative |
| D’Alembert Betting System | You set a base stake and bet your base wager. If you lose, your bet increases by one unit. When you win, you decrease stakes by 1 unit. | Negative |
| Parlay Betting System | Increase your base bet when you win by betting winnings plus original bet. Go back to base bet if you lose. | Progressive |
| Paroli Betting System | Double your bet with a win, and go back to your base stake after 3 wins. | Progressive |
| 1-3-2-6 Betting System | Repeatedly betting on 1,3,2, and 6 units in each round with winnings. Works with even money bets. | Progressive |
You can also win by considering the cheat charts that we have provided below.
Try out these cheat sheets and begin playing blackjack right now.
Why Use a Cheat Sheet?
Why should you consider using the cheat sheets we have provided above? Well, one reason why you should consider using this sheets is that it does not matter whether you are an expert player or you are just starting.
The sheet is simple to use and offers you a very simple and straightforward strategy. With this sheet, the probability of getting the best numbers has already been calculated for you.
With this strategy, you can reduce the house edge to almost zero percent. You can check out our dedicated page to find out more about this and other useful strategies.
Best Strategy Tips in Blackjack
If you have decided on the strategy to use, here are some tips recommended by experts if you want to win more.
1. Let the Dealer Hit
If the dealer has an upcard of four, five, or six, then the dealer is likely in trouble. If he has a soft hand, the chances are that he will decide to hit instead of standing. The logic behind that is simple – hitting will increase the dealer’s chances of getting a 21 total.
If this is the case with your dealer, you can split or double to increase the money if he eventually busts.
2. Be Confident in Your Hand
If you are holding a hard hand, one that is pretty close to 21, then one tip that can help you is that you should hold your hand. While your winning chances are rather low, going bust is a bigger risk.
3. Split Your Aces and Eights
It goes without saying that the combination of cards that you hold is very important. It is recommended that you should split your eights and aces. When you split these, you have twice the chance of winning the game.
If you have tens, though, then you should not split. With such cards, you will likely win the game.
4. Never Insure Against a Blackjack
There are a variety of online casinos, and some of the money allows you to insure against a blackjack. While it seems good on paper, the stats show that it results in more losses than gains.
What is a Hard Hand?
A hard hand in blackjack is a hand that is made up of a pair of cards that have a value that cannot be changed. For example, if your hand has an Ace, the value of a hand is a 1.
What is a Soft Hand in Blackjack?
A soft hand is a hand that has an ace counted as an 11 and another card with its value.
Money Management in Blackjack
One of the more important things to do while playing blackjack, or as a matter of fact, any casino game, is to manage your money. Money management is very important when you play, especially if you want to win.
Blackjack aficionados recommend that you increase your wager when you are winning. The benefit of this is that it ensures that you win some money over time instead of looking to recoup after your losses.
We have provided even more information about managing your bankroll in the Online Blackjack Money Management page.
Winning at this game involves having a good strategy. With a good strategy in place, you can have your winnings steadily increase. Note, though, that having a good strategy and using it right can be time-consuming. That is why online games are good. With these games, you can play blackjack games for a long time without spending real money. It helps you to implement a good strategy and get better at playing the game.
With blackjack online, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.
Different Types of Online Blackjack
Many people enjoy playing blackjack, regardless of their age or other factors. Since this is one of the most popular casino games, it is not surprising that there are now different variations of the game. With these variations, you have even more ways to enjoy playing. In this section, we consider some of the most popular variations of this game.
● Classic Blackjack
This is the most common type of blackjack – it is the real blackjack. The classic game is played at physical and online casinos. It is very easy to master, and it offers loads of excitement for many hours.
● Switch
Switch, or as it is also known, blackjack switch is another type of blackjack and one of the most interesting variations. It was invented by Golf Hall in the early 2000s. It has its foundations in the classic game.
One difference between the switch and classic blackjack is that the switch has the dealer giving out two hands instead of one. Also, a player can exchange the top two cards in his hands. The payout here is also different.
● Free Bet Online Blackjack
This variation was also developed by the maker of the Switch variant. However, it is more recent than the blackjack switch. In this type of game, any money that is wagered during splits or doubles will not be risked by the player.
Apart from that, it allows for more splitting and doubling than other variants like the classic variant.
It is an excellent variation; however, as with a blackjack switch, if the dealer gets a 22, then all the wagers from the player pushes against non-busted hands. The result is that all-natural blackjacks receive a higher amount of payout.
● Double Exposure
Another variant, which is considered to be more financially beneficial, is double exposure. There are several factors that are different here. For one, the dealer’s cards are both faced up from the start.
The advantage is that you can determine the best strategy that will give you a victory and win money.
● Blackjack 5 Hand
In this type of blackjack, you have to follow the same rules as what you get in the regular type of blackjack.
However, the main difference here, as the name implies, is that players can play up to five hands at a go rather than a single hand.
Playing with this number of hands proved more difficult than usual. However, you have a larger chance of winning.
● Single Deck
In this type of blackjack, 52 cards are used to play. In this variation of the game, players have a lower house edge than usual- though the edge is oftentimes affected by the casino you play at.
Overall, though, it offers you the chance to make more money from playing.
● Multiplayer
In this type of blackjack, you don’t play against the dealer; instead, you play against other players. Most variations of multiplayer blackjack have a maximum of five players. It is common in online games.
● Progressive Online Blackjack
This table game offers an impressive payout. The reason for the larger payout is that the jackpot increases as you play.
If you play this with real money, you can even place side wagers that increase your chances of winning the money.
● Surrender
In this type of blackjack, you have the benefit of surrendering the first pair of cards if you have a terrible hand.
As with other variants of blackjack, we recommend that you read up on all the rules and tips that can help you win in the game.
● Caribbean 21 Blackjack
Do you want an even more challenging game? If you do, then this might be perfect for you. The difficulty stems from the value of the aces. Here, any aces that you possess are viewed as hard and have a value of 11.
● Super Fun 21 Blackjack
This variant is quite similar to the classic game. However, as with other variants, there are rules that you must adhere to if you want to win. This game has the natural blackjack of the player beating the dealers’ natural blackjack all the time.
● Face Up 21 Blackjack
Here, you can view the dealer’s pair of cards. Then he deals you your hand face-up, clear for everyone to see.
● Match Play 21 Blackjack
This interesting variant is like your typical game, but it comes with unique differences. One feature that makes it stand out from the other variants is that there aren’t any tens here.
Due to this, you might feel that it gives you a lower chance of hitting a value near 21. Nevertheless, the advantage is that you get lots of bonus hands, which is even higher than what you get from the classic game.
● Pontoon
This is regarded as a different game instead of being a variant of blackjack. It is played in the UK, Asia, and the Americas.
This game is played such that you cannot see any of the cards that the dealer holds. Therefore, it is near impossible for you to develop a strategy to beat his hand.
● Spanish 21
You would be forgiven for assuming that this game is of Spanish origins. It is an American-invented game introduced in 1995 and has become a quite popular fixture in casinos. It continues to soar in popularity. An advantage is that you get a higher chance of winning the jackpot.
● Live Casino Blackjack
You can play blackjack online with a live dealer giving you cards. In this type of blackjack, there are up to seven seats. You can find this variation on different online casino pages on the internet. Ensure that you consider the tips that we have provided to guide you when choosing an online casino.
● European Blackjack
This type of blackjack is played online and offline. The game is similar to the classic blackjack game. However, there are separate rules and payouts.
Check out our guide to know everything about this unique type of blackjack.
● Mobile Blackjack
This is the classic blackjack, but it is played on mobile devices. The rules, tips, and strategies that we have provided so far apply to this variant.
The only difference here is that the game is played on mobile devices. You should check out the sites that we have provided in this post to know which of the casinos will allow you to play blackjack on your phone.
Best Online Blackjack Games
We promised to provide you with the best blackjack games that you can play online. Here are some of the software online blackjack games that you can play. They come from different manufacturers and gaming companies.
Let’s consider our top options.
1. Vegas Strip Online
This is a common type of blackjack. It comes as one of the most popular options because of the low house edge. Out of all the variants that we have considered, this comes with perhaps the lowest house edge.
It follows the same set of rules as the classic blackjack, and it is the type of blackjack usually played in tournaments.
2. Playtech Online Blackjack
Another online casino that we recommend is the Playtech Casinos. Here you can enjoy a wide range of blackjack games on your mobile or desktop. Some of the variants that you find here include the Classic, Progressive, and Surrender types of blackjack.
When playing a variant like Progressive blackjack, keep in mind that a smaller jackpot means a larger house edge. The casino also offers you other games like Lucky Blackjack, Pro, Unlimited blackjack, and even Pontoon.
3. Microgaming Online Blackjack
We also recommend the Microgaming Casinos. This offers you several blackjack games too. You will find European, Spanish, Bonus, European, and Atlantic City blackjack here too. There is also Double exposure blackjack available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the Rules of Online Blackjack?
Online blackjack has the same rules as what you get from the physical game. Getting the rules can be difficult because most manuals are poorly written. However, here at Online Casino Mag, we compile an up-to-date and accurate list of rules. You will find rules for all types of blackjack games. Whether it is online, offline, or live dealing, you will find rules for the game in the software review section of this website.
Q: Do Land Casinos have Better Rules than Online Casinos?
From our research and opinion from other expert players, we believe online casinos have better rules and gameplay. For instance, you will rarely find a blackjack pay six to five online. On the other hand, it is normal in offline casinos.
Q: What are the Rules at Live Dealer Casinos Online?
The rules that you find here are pretty simple and are like what you get from the offline casinos. Some of the rules are:
- No peeking for blackjack by dealer
- The player can double on two cards
- There is no re-splitting
- There is no surrender
- There are eight decks
When playing at live dealer casinos online, keep in mind that you should not double or split if the dealer shows a ten or ace. If you do and the dealer gets a blackjack, then you will lose all your money.
Also, only bet against a potential dealer blackjack when you split two aces against his ten. In this setting, the house edge is only at 0.61%.
Q: When Are Card Shuffled in Online Blackjack?
Online, cards are shuffled after each hand. If the game is a live dealer game, the cards are only shuffled halfway through the shoe.
Q: Why Should I Not Count Cards Against a Live Dealer?
If there is about fifty percent penetration, you might think that counting cards are a pretty sound strategy. I have asked several people what prevents people from counting cards, but nobody has a definitive answer as to how they guard their game against people that count.
One idea I have is to test run each player to determine the relationship between their wager size and the true count; then, I would check the play of such players.
Q: How do ‘Probably fair ‘Casinos Achieve Fairness?
It is a relatively complicated process. However, if you are interested, this is the gist of how they achieve this:
- The casino generates a hashed serve seed and gives the player this lengthy random string of characters before the player makes a wager
- The player picks a Client seed or gets one assigned to him by the casino
- The server and client seed are combined and re-hashed.
- The result is parsed, converted to base ten then assigned to specific cards.
- The game then deals the cards in such a way that it is not possible for the software to run out of cards
- After dealing the hands, the casino shows the client seed for verification by the player.
Q: What Can I do to Verify Fairness without All the Hassle?
The truth is that the casino can always cheat the players, even in an encrypted game. For example, the casino can choose a server seed that results in the player losing after his wager. Even if the player discovers that there is a hash mix-up, it is defensible by the casino.
Q: Is Cheating Common at Blackjack or other Online Games?
It is not a common occurrence.
Q: What Can I Do To Avoid Being Cheated?
There are loads of casinos online, and there isn’t any serious regulation by the government. Nevertheless, the betting industry has done a good job at self-regulation. Here are some things that can help you avoid being cheated online:
- Read the terms and conditions. Most of the online casinos come with terms and conditions that you should read. Search out the terms and conditions pages before making any decision. If the page has several mistakes, the chances are that it is a risky casino.
- Talk to customer support. Get in touch with customer support and ask them anything. If they reply promptly and professionally, then that is a good sign. If they don’t reply, reply late, or lack courtesy, then that is a sign to take your leave.
- Check review sites. If you are looking for more information about an online casino, one thing that you can do is to check out review websites and discussion forums. Reputable affiliate websites have a blacklist, so you should compare the casino with this blacklist.
- Start small. Even if you have a lot of money to play, it is only smart that you bet in small amounts. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time player, ensure that you don’t bet large amounts. This is doubly important if you are trying out a new casino. Wager small and build up trust before you invest larger sums.
Q: What are Tips for Playing Blackjack Online?
No matter where you play, use the strategies that we have considered in this article. You can also use our blackjack strategy calculator to determine the best strategy for your gameplay. You should keep an eye on any bonuses that you are entitled to. Bonuses can give you more money and increase your odds, but they are often tricky to get. Therefore, read the fine print carefully.
