Online blackjack is considered the most player-friendly game ever, with the lowest house edge. The rules are pretty straightforward, but in order to play it professionally and win big, you must know the strategy, tips and tricks that may increase your odds of winning.
In this article, we’ve collected the best tactics for you of how to play blackjack online for real money and win! Forget about the rituals and trust only numbers; we’re going to provide you with a guide on how to beat online blackjack. Intrigued? Read on!
Blackjack: Rules
You probably know the basic rules of blackjack, but let’s go through them one more time just in case you forgot.
Blackjack isn’t just a game where the objective is to get the closest to 21. The game itself is much more profound — you need to beat the house while having a total the closest to 21 without exceeding, while your dealer’s hand shouldn’t exceed yours.
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as while playing blackjack at online venues, you need to strategically consider all your moves and choose the ones that may potentially give you the highest return.
And to do so, we’re going to provide you with online blackjack tips and tricks that actually work!
Tip #1. Stick to the Basic Strategy
Always remember the basic strategy, and never neglect it just because you’re playing online — this is the rule.The basic strategy was developed back in the ‘60s to calculate the best moves for all players in all circumstances according to the dealt cards, and it remains the handbook for blackjack tricks to this date.
The advantage of using blackjack strategy is that it can reduce the house edge to less than 0.5% over the player. Plus, while playing blackjack online, you don’t actually have to nail down the strategy. Simply print it out, and whenever you need to take a look at it and consider your next move, it’s always by your side.
The basic strategy is meant to be effective because of its simplicity and accessibility. Until you’re professional enough to find your own style of playing, the best option is to stick to the principle of Keep It Simple Silly (KISS).
Tip #2. Check the Dealer’s Upcard
Basic strategy is crucial while playing online blackjack. However, many forget that before taking action, you should always remember to look at the dealer’s upcard. This is important for your next moves: if a dealer has a bad hand with a 2 through 6, you have more chances to win. However, if he has a 7 through aces, you should choose your moves wisely and play rather aggressively.
Tip #3. Aces or 8s? Split Them!
According to blackjack rules, when you have two identical cards, you can separate them into two different games, technically meaning that you have more chances to win. Although your next moves usually depend on the dealer’s upcard, there’s a rule that always works. Whenever you have two aces or two 8s, you should split them. Together, two aces give you a total of 12, but when you’re splitting them, you have more possibilities of catching a lucky hand and getting a double blackjack! The same for a pair of 8s: it’s considered the worst hand possible. Separate them — and you get two opportunities to get 18!
Tip #4. 10s or 5s? Forget About Splitting
If the best option in the situation with the pair of aces and 8s would be to split them, when you get two 5s or 10s, never split them. This is because a pair of 10s will give you 20, a pretty strong hand to take a risk and split it. Splitting 5s will also create the worst hand.
Tip #5. Skip the Insurance
With the insurance bet, the casino advantage is 6%; so taking insurance is not the best step you should consider. This bet is designed to take advantage of newbies who play insecure. However, if you’re a duck to water, you can try playing insurance.
Tip #6. Always Practice
Reading and learning all strategies, tips and tricks is quite important; however, it won’t make you hit the jackpot on the spot. Although you may be a lucky newbie, the best way to learn how to play and win remains constant practice.
There are hundreds of websites that offer a free blackjack mode so you may test different versions of the game and adapt to the strategy. Pick one and practice until you’re confident enough to bet real money.
Tip #7. Pick the Right Casino
When playing blackjack online, it is always important to remember there are different websites in the ocean of the Internet. Before dipping your toes, try to do some research and find the best place to play blackjack online for real money. Don’t rush while choosing, as you’re investing your own money.
Tip #8. Master the Art of Stopping
This is probably one of the most essential tips – but everybody forgets it for various reasons. Being good at a game of blackjack won’t make you a real winner if you don’t know when to stop. The biggest complication here is that many players simply don’t know when to walk away. If you won’t leave the online blackjack table when you’re already a winner, you will never make money from blackjack play.
Tip #9. Set Your Limits
Keeping the previous tip in mind, there’s one more important tip you have to remember. Do not gamble away more than you can afford to lose. That’s it — a piece of cake.
If you know nothing about the management of your bankroll, the world of the Internet proposes you try playing blackjack using betting strategies. They’re not supposed to make you hit the jackpot, but they can help you not lose all your money at once. Betting strategies will also prevent you from chaotic bets and will give you more chances of winning, that’s for sure!
Tip #10. Ignore Other Players
When you’re playing blackjack, the decisions other players make on the table have absolutely no effect on the outcome of your game. Online, as well as at brick-and-mortar casinos, blackjack is not a team sport; you’re there on your own. All players at a table will win if you all have a better hand than the dealer — that is a rule.
Plus, looking at other players’ games isn’t the right choice, as it may simply be confusing. No matter how other gamblers hit, split or stand, always remember to stick to the basic strategy.
Tip #11. Play With a Live Dealer
The land-based game of blackjack is based on card counting and math. In the online version of the game, blackjack utilizes RNG (Random Number Generator) to provide fair gaming, which makes card counting literally impossible. However, when choosing a live dealer game, you can utilize your math skills and try to count cards. This indeed may bring you big winnings if you’re aware of its use. Plus, playing with a live dealer gives you the opportunity to communicate with other players, as well with a dealer via a chatbox.
Tip #12. Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol
Even though online blackjack means you can relax at home with a glass of beer (or two), we really advise going easy on the booze. Staying focused is really essential while playing online blackjack for real money.
Additional Tips From an Expert
John Marchell is a very famous gambling expert, and luckily for you, he made the most straightforward strategy for everyone:
- Whenever you have 12 through 16, and the dealer’s upcard is 2 through 6, stand
- Whenever you have 12 through 16, but the dealer’s upcard is 7 through ace, hit
- Forget about splitting 5s and 10, but always split 8s and aces
- Whenever you have a total of 11, and the dealer has 2 through 10, always double down
Final Advice for Long-Term Success
Newbies, devise a strategy and stick to it. Find a casino that proposes good welcome bonuses on table games and profit from it! For now, your number one priority is to learn and practice as much as possible to master the gameplay. The more experienced player you are, the more money you can potentially win.
Last, but definitely not least — always remember to have fun playing blackjack online! It’s a game, and it is supposed to entertain you. And, if it brings you some extra cash, well, you’re a lucky duck!
FAQ
How do I increase my chances of winning blackjack?
We repeat it in the article, and we will continue to do so: use the basic strategy! With its help, you’ll not only increase the odds of winning, but the strategy will literally tell you the next move, considering the cards you and the dealer have.
Can you win money playing blackjack online?
Definitely! Every time you’re playing blackjack for real money, you have a chance to win real cash. Stick to the basic strategy, learn the rules, pick a reputable casino at which to play and dive in!
Can you make a living playing blackjack online?
Making a living playing blackjack online is possible; however, it will work only when you’re counting cards in live dealer games. The explanation is simple: all online blackjack games use Random Number Generator (RNG) to provide players with fair gameplay. That means you can’t count cards while playing, and every hand is genuinely random. While counting cards in live dealer games or at land-based casinos, some professionals are experienced enough to make a living playing this game. So, with a bit of luck and excellent math skills, you can indeed become a millionaire!
Is there a strategy in blackjack?
The basic blackjack strategy should be your handbook in the world of this game. Using it, you will not only reduce the initial house edge but will get a pretty good chance of getting the dealer busted.