Online Blackjack Tips
It’s almost impossible to think of online casino gambling without thinking about Blackjack. We’re here to give you some Blackjack tips. As one of the world’s best-loved card games, it’s a classic, both at land-based casinos and online venues too. Even if you’ve never played before. You’re sure to be familiar with the game thanks to books, TV and movies. And if you have played it before, you’ll know first-hand just how engaging and entertaining it can be.
In fact, thanks to its skills-based nature. It’s one of the few online casino games where the more experience you have, the more you might be able to reduce the house edge in your favour. More control over your fate. And hopefully more winnings as a result!
Let’s get started with Blackjack Tips
But how exactly do you improve your skills to that point? What are the steps (blackjack tips) you need to take as a beginner to start you on that path? What should you be paying attention to if you’re an intermediate player? And if you already consider yourself an expert, do you really have anything more to learn?
As it happens, part of the beauty of Blackjack is that whether you’re a newbie player just starting out. Or a seasoned gambler looking to up your game, there’s always something new to learn! Read on for the best beginner, intermediate and advanced Blackjack tips. And you could soon be beating the dealer at their own game!
Online Blackjack tips for beginner players
1. Understand the basics
You’ve got to walk before you can run, so before we throw you into the deep end of advanced Blackjack strategy, let’s try something a little simpler first – the fundamentals. If you’ve never played Blackjack before, or you’re a little rusty, the basic objective is this: to get a card hand value as close as possible to 21 without going over.
What does that mean? In the simplest terms, every card has a value. Number cards are worth their face value, face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10, and aces are worth 1 or 11. If you can get a card hand value that’s closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win. If the dealer’s hand is higher than yours, they win. And if your card hands are equal, it’s a tie, and you win your money back. Easy, right?
2. Know when to hit or stand
So, how do you go about building an optimal card hand? By making certain decisions after your cards have been dealt. At the beginning of each game, once you’ve placed your bet, you’ll be dealt two cards face up, while the dealer will be dealt one card face up and one card face down.
It’s at this point that you’ll be able to choose from a number of Blackjack tip options:
Stand: If you’re happy with your card hand value, then you can choose to stand, and not receive any more cards.
Hit: If you want to increase your card hand value, you can choose to hit. You’ll then receive one or more cards until you either choose to stand, or until your card hand value goes over 21, and you go bust.
Double Down: This is a little more advanced, but essentially if you feel the two cards you’ve already been dealt are strong, you can make a bet equal to your initial wager in exchange for one more card.
Split: What happens if you’re dealt two identical cards (i.e. two 10s)? Then you can choose to split, which means splitting your two cards into two separate hands. You’ll need to double your bet because you’ll be playing two hands, but you’ll also be doubling your chances of winning at the same time.
Now what?
So, now you know what your options are for moving the action forward in Blackjack. The trick, of course, lies in knowing exactly what to do and when. Here are some simple guidelines to help you make your next move:
Hit: If your two cards total 8 or less.
Stand: If your two cards total 17 or more.
Double Down: If your two cards total 10 or 11, and the dealer’s face up card is lower.
Split: It’s mostly up to you, but any Blackjack expert will tell you to split on aces and 8.
Of course, the more you play, the more experience you’ll gain.
And the more you’ll come to learn how to make these decisions on your own. But for now you can use this general advice, or even follow basic strategy charts online, and let them guide your decision-making while you’re just starting out.
3. Avoid insurance bets
What’s an insurance bet, for starters? Ok, let’s say the dealer’s two cards are dealt, and the face-up card is an ace. Immediately this poses the question – will the face-down card end up giving the dealer Blackjack? If their face-down card turns out to be worth 10, then yes – they’ll have a natural Blackjack and you’ll lose the hand.
So what can you do about it? Well, you could potentially take out insurance against it. That’s to say, you could take the side bet offered by the casino in this eventuality, essentially protecting you against the dealer having Blackjack. If you take the insurance bet and the dealer does turn out to have Blackjack, you’ll be paid out at 2:1, covering your initial bet. Which sounds great, right?
Don’t worry, this is accurate.
Yeah, no. Some very clever people have done the maths, and it turns out that the odds of the dealer having a 10 for a natural Blackjack are less than the 2:1 payout, which means it’s just not worth the risk. Forget about this side game that could end up having a higher house edge. Focus on the main game, take it on the chin if the dealer does end up having Blackjack, and don’t give the house more money than you absolutely have to.
4. Manage your bankroll
This isn’t just advice for beginners – it’s advice for literally every level of player. But if you’re just starting out, it’s probably the most important tip you’ll ever be given. Your bankroll is your life in the casino and at the Blackjack table, so protect it at all costs.
Set yourself a budget before you start playing, and no matter what happens during your session, stick to it at all costs. Don’t be tempted to chase your losses, and never ever play with more than you can afford to spend. The more responsibly you manage your finances, the longer you’ll be able to stay in the game over time – and it’s that kind of gambling behaviour that makes you a winner.
5. Play for free first
We realise that it sounds counter-intuitive – why would you want to play for free when the opportunity for winning real money is right there?!
Well, you’ve just made our point.
Far too many new players rush right on into real money play without familiarising themselves with the casino environment first. Which often ends up leading to poor decision-making and expensive mistakes.
Avoid the temptation to go straight to real money play the second you open your account, and rather head to the free demo versions first. It’s here where you’ll be able to play with virtual credits at your own pace, learning as you go without risking any of your own money. You’ll be able to build your confidence and improve your skills – then once you’re comfortable in your abilities, that’s when you upgrade to real money play, and hopefully real money winning too!
Online Blackjack tips for intermediate players
1. Start learning basic strategy
Once you have a good grasp of the basic rules of Blackjack as a beginner, it’s time to level up your knowledge and start learning basic strategy. In Blackjack (or in any game, really) this involves taking your understanding of the rules one step further, and learning how to make the best possible decision in any given situation.
Check to see if your casino offers any type of Blackjack strategy chart, or look for one online. The more you familiarise yourself with the various strategies available, the more you’ll be able to reduce the house edge in your favour. Top tip: strategy charts vary based on the number of decks in play and the specific house rules for each game, so make sure to use one that matches the type of Blackjack you like to play.
Know your Blackjack variations
2. Understand the different variations
That brings us neatly to our next point – navigating the various types of Blackjack games available. While you’ll most probably start out with a classic version of Blackjack as a first-time player, you’ll soon find that there are plenty of other variations to explore, each with their own rules and guidelines. From European Blackjack to Spanish 21, Pontoon, Super Fun 21 and more, there’s a whole world of Blackjack games just waiting out there for you to enjoy.
As an intermediate player, now’s the time to venture out of your comfort zone. And build on your classic Blackjack experience. While you’ll be able to apply a lot of what you’ve already learned to other Blackjack variations. There are some rules you’ll need to be aware of. Such as the number of decks used or whether the dealer is able to hit on a soft 17 (a hand where the ace is valued as 11). Believe it or not, these rules can have a significant effect on your strategy. So it’s important to be fully aware of all the rules before you vary up your Blackjack play.
You must know how to count.
3. Learn the card counting basics
Wait, card counting? Isn’t that illegal? Actually no, there’s nothing illegal at all about card counting – but bear in mind that if you’re too good at it, land-based casinos could end up showing you the door.
This is online Blackjack though, and it’s a little different. Some casinos employ continuous shuffle machines, and some use a much lower deck penetration (how much of the deck is used before reshuffling) than land-based casinos. So you’ll often find the effectiveness of card counting drastically reduced as a result.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t some value to it though. While land-based card counting won’t work in online scenarios, it’s still helpful to try and track the number of high and low cards dealt, so you more accurately judge the likelihood of good cards coming up. It’s not a foolproof technique, and it does take a lot of practice, but even just knowing the broad strokes can help give you an edge. This is an important Blackjack tip.
Always be on the lookout for promos
4. Take advantage of bonuses
As an intermediate casino player you’ll have already claimed your welcome bonus, but that doesn’t mean the rewards stop there! Most online casinos will offer ongoing bonuses and promotions to their regular players, which means there’s always a chance for you to add extra value to your casino experience.
Look out for any kind of casino bonus you can find, particularly those relating to Blackjack play. The more you can add to your bankroll courtesy of the casino, the more you’ll be able to play and hone your skills. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions first, and you’ll be in the money.
5. Control your emotions
As a beginner player, you can be forgiven for occasionally getting caught up in the adrenaline of a moment. But once you’ve played enough to be considered intermediate, you need to keep your emotions under a tight rein, particularly when playing Blackjack.
No matter how good a player you are, the fact is that sooner or later you’ll lose a game. Perhaps you didn’t make the best decisions; perhaps the cards didn’t go your way. Regardless of why you lost, it’s crucial that you don’t let it inform your game play going forward.
Gambling with heightened emotion, even positive emotion, can lead to you making mistakes, chasing your losses and even playing with more than you can afford to lose. Don’t let this happen to you. No matter what the outcome of a game, stick to your strategy, protect your bankroll, and play with a clear head at all times. That’s how you level up your game.
Online Blackjack tips for advanced players
1. Learn advanced card counting techniques
Not everyone can immediately grasp the intricacies of card counting, and that’s ok. If you’ve tried it and decided it’s not for you, fair enough – there are plenty of other strategies and guidelines you can use to help improve your game.
If you’re one of the lucky few who has a feel for card counting however. As an advanced player there are techniques you can use to hone your skills in this area. One of these is the Hi-Lo system. A card counting formula that assigns values to cards in order to keep a running count and help you determine when it’s the best time to increase your bets. Once you get the hang of this, you can move onto other advanced strategies like true count conversion and betting spreads. And see if they can help give you the upper hand.
2. Pay attention to deck penetration
This is something we touched on in our intermediate tips. But advanced Blackjack tips are different. They’re something you’ll need to pay more attention to as an advanced player. Deck penetration essentially refers to how much of the deck is dealt before reshuffling – a crucial element in Blackjack.
Why? Because the deeper the penetration (i.e. the more cards that are dealt in a game) before the deck is reshuffled, the more accurately you’ll be able to read the cards and gain a clearer picture of the overall game. With this in mind, look for games that offer deeper deck penetration to help maximisz your advantage.
Make sure you use other betting strategies.
3. Start using advanced betting strategies
If you took our advice and started using strategy charts as an intermediate player (or even if you were following them on your own), as an advanced player, it’s time to take your Blackjack strategy to the next level. And that means using progressive betting systems like the Martingale or Paroli strategies.
Don’t let the fancy names intimidate you. These betting systems are a lot simpler to follow than they sound. With the Martingale system, you’ll double your bet after a losing hand, and continue doubling it until you win. At that point, you’ll reset your bet back to its original amount, and start again. With the Paroli system, you’ll double your bet every time you win, then reset it to its original value when you lose, and start over. With Blackjack tips like this, you’re bound to win.
What these strategies do is not necessarily help you to win (that’s a unique blend of luck and skill) but rather they can help you to minimize your losses. An important factor if and when you start investing more in your Blackjack play. Consider using either strategy. Or another similar one that suits, and see if it affects your play positively in any way.
Blackjack tables are important.
4. Choose the right Blackjack table
Aren’t they all the same though? Actually, no. Different Blackjack tables at different online casinos all have different rules and conditions, and choosing the right one can have a significant impact on your game.
To give yourself the best chance of winning, make sure you choose Blackjack tables with favourable conditions. Such as those where the dealer has to stand on soft 17 (i.e. where the ace is valued at 11) and where fewer decks are used in each game. These types of rules generally offer you better odds. It’ll also be to your advantage to pay attention to table limits. And to keep an eye on the behaviour of your competitors in live games, as both of these factors can influence your Blackjack experience.
Be in the know.
5. Stay on top of trends
We’ve already highlighted just how important research is as a beginner and intermediate player. And it’s every bit as vital as an advanced player too. In order to give yourself an edge, make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest Blackjack trends and rule changes. So that you’re always prepared. Online casinos tend to update their casino games and strategies often in order to stay competitive. And staying informed about these changes can help you keep ahead of the game!
Deal yourself into Blackjack today
There you have it! Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced online Blackjack player, you’ve got all the tips you need to level up your game and sharpen your skills. Now it’s up to you. Apply what you’ve learned, get the practice you need, and enjoy all the thrills of Blackjack as responsibly as you can. Good luck!