A Guide to Online Blackjack

Blackjack may very well be the most well-known card game in the world.

But whilst it may seem like a simple game at first, it is often said that blackjack is a game that is easy to learn yet difficult to master.

The basic rules of Blackjack are simple:

The objective of the game is for the sum total of your cards to be as close to 21 as possible without going over. The player closest to the objective of 21 is the winner of that hand.

Cards 2-10 are scored at face value; Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 points each while the Ace can be scored as either 1 (soft) or 11 (hard).

A complete game is made up of individual hands. Hands continue being played, with used cards discarded, until all of the combined decks are played through.

Playing Blackjack Online

Playing Blackjack online is a fun and convenient way to experience the game for many people. Whilst there may be some differences in the way the on-screen version looks when compared to a real world game, anyone familiar with blackjack should feel instantly at home playing on a best online gambling site. Virtual casino games work in the same way as traditional blackjack and feature realistic graphics to bring the table to players wherever they may be. Players bet by clicking on chips that are then added to the table. Along the bottom of the screen are the needed controls:

When each player has a complete hand, the dealer will turn over their card (that has been sitting face down on the table so far in the game). The dealer will then continue to draw cards from the deck until they reach a total value of 17 or above.
So long as a player's hand is not greater than 21, they will beat the dealer by achieving a higher value, or if the dealer's cards are worth more than 21.

Simulated online blackjack games are a great way to practice playing and offer a chance to figure out the main buttons and controls before you play with a real dealer and other players at the table. If you want to learn how to play blackjack, this is a great place to start.

For an even more realistic live casino experience, live blackjack can also be played online. This allows the thrill of a live game to be streamed directly to your PC, laptop or tablet. When playing a game of live online blackjack, you are seeing a real dealer, real cards and a real table - all in real time. You can control and place your bets using the on-screen interface and interact with the dealer and other players just as you would at a real-world casino. You can even switch between a choice of views to tailor the experience just as you like it.

The rules of the game, as you would expect, are the same as other forms of blackjack. Your basic aim is to get a hand equals 21, or one that's under 21 but closer than the dealer's.

Online Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is part luck of the draw and part strategy. It takes a while to learn when it is a good idea to do things such as doubling and splitting, but with good observation skills you will catch on very quickly. Here are a few tips:

Insurance

If the dealer's first card is an ace, you will be offered insurance that pays 1-to-1 if the dealer does have a blackjack. However, the chances of you needing insurance are statistically low. Purchasing insurance at half your bet is considered not worthwhile by most experts. Insurance is just one of the side bets usually available when playing blackjack - we explain the three most popular blackjack side bets in our Are Blackjack Side Bets Worth It? blog.

Split

You can only split your hand when your initial two cards have the same value. The second hand requires an additional bet, so use this strategy wisely. Splitting is not a good idea if the dealer turns an ace because the ace can go soft or hard.

Doubling Down

Doubling down lets you decide to take a third card after you have been given your first two. It is best to double down if you have a total card value of 10 or 11 from your first two cards.

As stated previously, blackjack is easy to learn but challenging to master. If you are interested in a game that requires skill along with the luck of the draw, blackjack is a good place to start. For a more detailed guide to basic blackjack strategy, check out our Blackjack Strategy blog.