Know the Difference Between Online & Live Blackjack
One of the first things to understand when you want to find out how to win online blackjack is the difference between playing at a live casino and an online one. When playing in a live casino, it’s important to remember that your opponents are physically present, so you can use their reactions as clues as to what kind of cards they are holding.
On the other hand, playing online means you are playing against a computer, and you’ll need to be aware of what your opponents are doing. It can involve different strategies considering betting strategy patterns, card counting, and even bluffing.
Learn Card Rankings and Hand Values
The key to playing blackjack online is learning the card rankings and hand values. All blackjack hands consist of two cards, one showing its face value and the other remaining hidden until the end of the game. The game aims to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. The card rankings and hand values are as follows:
- Aces: Aces can be counted as either 1 or 11, whichever is better for the player’s hand.
- 2-10: Card face value is 2 through 10.
- Face Cards (King, Queen, Jack): These are worth 10 points each.
- Suits: Suits have no bearing on the value of a hand.
It is essential to remember that each game may have different blackjack rules, so be sure to check before playing.
Take Your Time Before You Hit or Stand
When playing blackjack online, you may be tempted to make quick decisions on whether to hit or stand. However, it’s important to remember that the more time you take to decide, the better your chance of making an intelligent play. When playing online blackjack, consider taking the following steps before deciding whether to hit or stand:
- Read the dealer’s upcard – Look at the upcard of the dealer who is dealing your hand. Their card will give you a better idea of whether it is best to hit, stand, double down, or split your hand.
- Check what cards are still in the deck – If many low-value cards have already been played, the standing may be beneficial as the chance of getting a card with a higher value is much lower.
- Consider your current hand – Before deciding whether to hit or stand, consider the cards you currently have and what will give you the best hand. Remember that you automatically lose the hand if you hit and get more than 21.
- Make smart bets – Betting wisely is essential to blackjack strategy and success. When betting online, place bets within your budget and be ambitious enough to help you win big if your hand comes through.
Play Your Favourite Blackjack Type
At its core, blackjack is a card game that pits the player against the dealer. You win when your hand adds up to 21 or as close to it as possible without going over. To help you get started with online blackjack, start by playing the classic version of the game first.
Forget About Insurance Bets
Insurance bets are often advertised to minimize your losses in blackjack, but these should be avoided. In the long term, insurance bets have a much higher house edge than regular bets and provide no real advantage over other players. Generally speaking, they should be avoided unless you feel confident that certain conditions are met.
Take Benefits of Blackjack Online Strategy
You must know the game’s strategy to win online blackjack. Knowing how to read and use the game to your advantage will help you become a successful online blackjack player. All card games involve some form of strategy, but in blackjack, there are even more strategies than simply which cards to hold or discard.
Many online blackjack players choose to learn a basic strategy, which includes how to bet when to hit or stand, and in some cases when insurance is the best choice.
Hit on a soft 17
One of the most common questions about playing blackjack online is whether to hit on a soft 17. A soft 17 means an Ace has been dealt, and its value can be either 1 or 11, depending on what else is in your hand. For example, if you have an Ace and a 6, you can count them as either 7 or 17. Hitting on Soft 17 is generally recommended for players using basic blackjack strategies, giving them a better chance of winning the hand.
Split Your Hands Wisely
Splitting is when a player splits two identical value cards into two hands. When this happens, an additional bet equal to the original one is placed on the second hand. It’s a great move when you have two tens or two eights, but it can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Manage Your Bankroll
Managing your bankroll is one of the most critical factors in achieving success in online blackjack. To succeed, you must know how much you can afford to lose before playing and ensure you stay within this limit. The better way to manage your bankroll is by setting a budget for each session and sticking to it.
Avoid Distractions
Another critical element to winning at blackjack online is avoiding distractions. Playing online makes it easy to get wrapped up in the game and forget that you are playing for real money. It can lead to poor decisions and costly mistakes. To avoid these pitfalls, focus on beating the dealer with precision and clarity.