Welcome to my website, mate! You’ve come here to learn a bit about blackjack, yeah? Perhaps find some of the best blackjack sites and bonuses as well! Well, you came to the right place. I have gathered all the best online blackjack casinos out there, and also a lot of great advice and general information about the wonderful game of blackjack.
Keep reading, mate – and I’m sure you’ll find everything needed to have a great time with online blackjack!
Top online Blackjack casinos
Brief history of blackjack
Blackjack is the most legendary casino game – and any high roller’s favourite game. It has the highest pay out percentage of all casino games (up to astonishing 99,83%). Through the years a lot of players had success beating the house and win big sums of money.
How to play Blackjack
Blackjack Rules
Let’s start with the most basic rules. Blackjack is a card counting game where one or more people play against the dealer. The goal is either:
- A: To get as close as possible to the card value 21.
- B: To beat the dealer’s hand by getting a higher hand than him.
- C: To make the dealer ‘go bust’ by letting him draw cards until his hand is above 21.
A player who beats the dealer receives twice his bet (1:1), unless he hits Blackjack (an ace and a card that counts for 10). This pays 3:2.
At the start of a blackjack round, a player will get two cards. Afterwards, the player has the following options:
Stand: You are satisfied with your cards and don’t want to draw more cards.
Hit: The player draws an extra card. The player can draw cards until they bust (Their hand excess 21).
Double: The player estimates his chances are good and double his bet. Afterwards the player can draw one more card.
Split: If a player has a pair or two other cards with a total value of 10 points, the player can choose to double his bet or split the cards. That way the player ends up with two hands. The dealer will automatically deal each hand one more card. Afterwards the player must choose to hit, stand or double in relation to the respective hands. In some games, double after a split is not allowed.
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Rule variations
You’ll get surprised when you find out how many different versions of blackjack that exists. What looks like small changes in the game, can in the end make a big difference in the pay-out percent. Here are some variations:
Dealer stands on soft 17
The dealer draws cards until he hits 17 or higher. In some variations the dealer chooses to stand on 17 and in some others the dealer can choose to hit. If the dealer chooses to hit, then it impairs the pay-out percent by 0,2%.
Dealer hits on soft 17
In this case where the dealer stands on 17, statistic it’s an advantage for the player because the dealer has a higher chance to go bust.
Surrender
Some tables allow the player to surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. It’s rare but it’s an advantage for the player. Late surrender (after the dealer has checked for blackjack) is more common and it’s not an advantage for the player.
Resplit
The opportunity to split a hand, which has already been split. This opportunity is offered by a lot of blackjack tables but not all. Games that offer this opportunity is better for the player.
Doubling after split
Doubling down after a split is allowed when you are dealt a paid and then split. You can then split those cards to have more chances to win payouts. You will have to place an additional wager and double the bet on either half. This option can add a 13% advantage.
Resplitting
This is a common option when playing just about any version of blackjack. It will allow you to split the pairs in a hand as many as three times. The amount of times you can resplit will depend on the rules of the casino. The result is that as many as four hands can be created.
Early surrender
When playing a game that offers an early surrender option, you can give up your hand after the cards are dealt. This is done before the dealer will check for a natural blackjack. When you use this option, you will have to forfeit half of the original wager amount.
6 to 5 blackjacks
6 to 5 games should be avoided as they offer lower payouts on a natural blackjack. For example, a $10 bet on a 3 to 2 game will pay $15 with a blackjack. When playing 6 to 5, the payout is reduced to $12, making it a poor choice for real money players.
Single deck vs multi deck
Single deck games are played with just one deck, increasing the odds of winning. Most casinos offer multi-deck games to create a house edge that will benefit the casino. Card counters prefer single deck games as it is easier to remember what cards have been played.
Card values
The card value in Blackjack are always the same no matter what variation of the game you play and values are as listed below:
- Card 2-10 has the value equal to their own number.
- Face cards counts as 10.
- An ace can be counted as 1 or 11.
Strategy in Blackjack
No casino game has such big winning chances as blackjack, but only if you use the right strategy. Below you can see the best strategy for two different blackjack games: Dealer stands on soft 17 and dealer hits on soft 17.
If you don’t use the right strategy and make mistakes like accepting insurance in the game the pay-out percentage can go down to 95% which removes a lot of the magic from the game. Therefore, always follow the right strategy and play smart!
Strategy: Dealer stands on soft 17
This strategic schema is valid for blackjack where the dealer chooses to stand on soft 17 and the game is played with 4-8 playing cards and where the dealer accepts double after split. Blackjack games where the dealer stands on soft 17 is generally most advantageous to the player.
Strategy: Dealer hits on soft 17
This strategic schema is valid for blackjack where the dealer chooses to hit on soft 17. This is not the most advantageous form of blackjack but can be found at many tables, both in real casinos and online.
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Vocabulary: Blackjack terms
When you play this classic card game at any blackjack site, you will want to be familiar with the common terms that are used. Each game will have different rules, so the terms may vary based on the version you have selected. To help you get started, we have elaborated on some of the popular blackjack terms that you will hear when you play online.
Hit
This is when you request another card from the dealer after the initial two cards have been dealt. This extra card will increase your hand value.
Stand
If you are happy with the overall value of the hand, you will stand. This means you are taking no more action.
Double down
If you believe just one more card can help you beat the dealer’s hand, you can double down. You can double down your original bet and you will receive just one card.
Split
If you are dealt a pair with the first two cards, you can split these cards to create two separate hands. Some casinos restrict splitting to certain pairs.
Surrender
Surender is an option with certain variations. You can surrender a hand and it will end the game, costing you half of your original wager.
Insurance
There is an option to take insurance for an additional cost. This will protect your full wager if the dealer has a natural blackjack.
Bust
If you hit and receive a card that makes your hand worth more than 21, it is a bust and you will lose the wager.
Push
A push is when the dealer and the player have the same value hand. The result is no loss and no win.
Playing Online Blackjack: The good and the bad
Playing blackjack online has some great benefits, but there are also some drawbacks. Here, we take a look at the pros and cons of playing at blackjack sites. If you already know how to play blackjack, you can enjoy some super benefits when you choose to play online or select a mobile blackjack game. If you plan to play for real money, check out the list below and see if you will benefit from playing at leading blackjack sites.
Pros
- Faster games mean you can play more hands in a shorter amount of time
- You can benefit from some great blackjack promotions when playing online.
- Online blackjack games can offer favorable rules for players.
- You can access blackjack strategy charts when playing online.
Cons
- You can access blackjack strategy charts when playing online.
- Wagering requirements are in place when you redeem any blackjack site bonus offer.
- Faster games may not be suitable for those that are just getting started.
- Card counting blackjack strategy cannot be used with games that are controlled by a random number generator.
Different types of blackjack
One of the great things about playing at blackjack sites is that you can enjoy multiple variations of the game. You will find that some sites have 10 or more games to enjoy. When you are getting started, you can play the games for free. This will help you learn how to use basic blackjack strategy and will help with learning the rules of different variations.
Blackjack surrender
The game is played with 6 decks and players have the option to surrender a hand for half of the wagered amount. The 7-card Charlie rule is also in play with this variation
Blackjack switch
This is a standard game where you have two hands and will be allowed to switch the second card between hands to create a higher value.
Live Blackjack
Live blackjack is played with live dealers in real-time. You will interact with other players and the game is streamed from a land location.
Atlantic City Blackjack
This is a classic game of 21 that follows basic rules. The game is played with 6-8 decks and a hole card is used.
European Blackjack
This is almost the same as American Blackjack but the dealer will not be able to take a second card until every player at the table has made a decision on their hand. Hole cards are not used and the game is played with just 2 decks.
Perfect Pairs blackjack
This game offers a side bet to bet on perfect pairs. If you are dealt a pair, you will win an additional payout.
Early surrender
When playing a game that offers an early surrender option, you can give up your hand after the cards are dealt. This is done before the dealer will check for a natural blackjack. When you use this option, you will have to forfeit half of the original wager amount.
6 to 5 blackjacks
6 to 5 games should be avoided as they offer lower payouts on a natural blackjack. For example, a $10 bet on a 3 to 2 game will pay $15 with a blackjack. When playing 6 to 5, the payout is reduced to $12, making it a poor choice for real money players.
Single deck vs multi deck
Single deck games are played with just one deck, increasing the odds of winning. Most casinos offer multi-deck games to create a house edge that will benefit the casino. Card counters prefer single deck games as it is easier to remember what cards have been played.
Ways to increase and decrease the house edge
When playing blackjack online, you can make use of blackjack guides and strategies to increase your chances of winning. Playing games that have options to reduce the house edge is always beneficial. Here, we take a look at some ways in which the house edge can be decreased or increased.
Count cards
This is a blackjack strategy used by experienced players. They track what cards have been played and make their decisions based on what cards are left in the decks. This strategy can reduce the house edge.
Shuffle tracking
Also used to reduce the house edge, shuffle tracking is an advanced strategy that helps players track cards that are discarded and those that may be dealt after the shuffle.
Identifying concealed cards
Players can gain a slight advantage if they can identify cards from certain markings on the back of the card. This method can only be used when playing at land casinos and not at blackjack sites.
TheGambleDoctor wishes you good luck
Now that you have picked up some tips and tricks, you are ready to begin playing blackjack online. TheGambleDoctor wishes you the best of luck and hopes you are able to lower the house edge using provided tips. Enjoy your blackjack experience, but always be mindful of maintaining a budget and being a responsible gambler.
Online Blackjack - FAQ
Yes. Free blackjack is offered at most operating sites. You can use these games to proactive blackjack strategies or to learn game rules. Free games will not offer any real money payouts, but they are a great starting point for any new blackjack player. They are also great for practicing skills.
It is not possible to always win when playing blackjack due to the house edge that is built into games. However, when you use basic blackjack strategy and refer to betting guides, you can lower the house edge and have better chances of winning. All games at online sites will have a house advantage.
The return-to-player in blackjack will vary based on what game variations you are choosing to play. Generally, blackjack has the best possible returns for real money players. You can expect these games to offer an RTP of 98-99% and when using certain strategies, this can be increased.
Card counting is not an option when you are playing standard online blackjack games. These games are controlled by a random number generator. The only time you will be able to use card counting techniques is when you choose to play live dealer blackjack games since these games use real cards that are being shuffled by a professional dealer and not a computer.
You can use many strategies when playing blackjack. It is best to make use of free games to develop skills and practice game strategies. The use of basic blackjack strategy is always recommended and you can find strategy charts that can be referred to as you play online.
The best blackjack casinos are listed right here at thegambledoctor. You can also review casinos online to determine what games are offered. Good blackjack casinos will offer a wide array of game variations and will also offer player bonuses. The games will usually have an RTP of over 98%.
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