Blackjack occupies one of the dominant places in the hierarchy of gambling titles. This famous card entertainment has conquered millions of punters from different locations of the world with its fascinating gameplay. Its undoubted advantage lies in the low house edge over the player, and the ability of the participants of the game to decide their own fate by making combinations of cards. Online Blackjack has fairly simple rules, but there are many nuances that it is important to know about in order to claim winnings. In this article, our team of experts will give answers to the most common questions of Blackjack fanatics. Full steam ahead!
What’s the Difference Between European and American Blackjack?
To begin with, these are the two most popular varieties of Blackjack. Basically, these variations have similar rules, but there are a few differences. So, in European Blackjack, two standard decks of 52 cards each are most often used. The dealer must hit on soft 17 (the presence of an ace in the combination). The participant makes a decision only after the croupier has dealt himself a card. You also have the option to surrender and keep half the bet. You can use the double down function only with the help of one hand with a total of 9, 10 or 11 points;
In American Blackjack, a punter can make a double down on any hand. The croupier is allowed to take only one card before the participants decide on further actions. He/she must stand on soft 17 (the presence of an ace in the combination). The punter can surrender at any time. Overall American Blackjack is considered more loyal to gamblers than European Blackjack.
Can You Make a Living Playing Blackjack?
It is worth admitting that the vast majority of people start gambling, dreaming of big winnings that will change their lives. In practice, not everyone gets it. Yes, Blackjack belongs to those titles (along with poker) in which the result depends on skill, not luck, so you can really earn by playing it. But, you will need a lot of time to master the rules perfectly, hone your skills and learn how to apply game strategies. You must learn to control your emotions and not lose concentration during the process. All this comes with experience and with time. Of course, you may get lucky and you will immediately hit a big jackpot, but are you sure that this will happen? Pick a stable path of constant development in your favorite game, and then you can expect that one day it will start to bring you profit.
How to Win at Blackjack Online?
No one will share with you the secret of a guaranteed Blackjack win, because there is no such secret. Every punter who strives to improve his/her skill level, hone skills and understand the nuances of his/her favorite game can become a successful gambler. Be careful, control the bankroll, and manage your emotions, and you will increase your chances of success.
What is a Hard or Soft Hand?
In Blackjack, an Ace can give an advantage to a punter or croupier, because it can be counted as 1 or 11. A soft hand is a hand in which there is any one card and an ace. Regardless of whether the latter counts as 1 or 11, you can ask for a third card. Say, you have an ace and a five in your hand. In total, they give 16 (11+5), and you can ask for a third card.
A hard hand is a hand in which an ace counts as one. It is strategically more convenient and profitable to play with a soft hand, especially since you will be able to use the double down function for your benefit. In most varieties of Blackjack, the croupier stands on hard 17 and hits on soft 17.
How Insurance Works?
Insurance is a special bet that is often used by gamblers who count cards in Blackjack. It allows them to hedge in situations that can be considered unfavorable. In general, insurance is considered an unsuccessful stake, and if you make it in a land-based casino, its employees may suspect you of counting cards and take action. You read it right — card counting, although not prohibited, is not welcome in land-based gambling establishments. Many famous punters suffered because of this when they were denied access to certain casinos.
Is it Possible to Count Cards?
Yes, in Blackjack, you can count cards using a special technique that allows you to record their exit from the deck and, thereby, determine which cards remain in it. But, basically, this tactic is only suitable for playing in land-based casinos. When you play online, the decks are usually shuffled after each hand, so you just won’t be able to keep track of the cards. If you decide to use Blackjack players card counting (especially since no one will know that you use this technique in online Blackjack), then you will need to train hard, as well as develop memory and reaction speed. Otherwise, this tactic is useless.
What Blackjack Strategies Exist?
There are many strategies for playing Blackjack, and you can even win using them. But, keep in mind that none of them works over a long distance. It is best to use a Basic strategy that contains instructions for making concrete decisions in specific game situations, say, whether to take a card with a total of 12 points. If you like to take risks, you can pay attention to such a demanding system as Martingale, which is used in many other titles, and even trading. It involves doubling the stake amount after each loss until you win. Thus, you will not only win back all the lost money but also get the amount of the first stake. The disadvantages of the strategy are as follows: you can lose the entire bankroll, and the casino may have a limit on the max stake.
There are other strategies: Fibonacci, d’Alembert, Hi-Lo, Parlay, 1-3-2-6, Oscar’s Grind, etc.
What is a Split?
A split is a profitable option that can be used in certain gaming situations. If you have been dealt a pair of cards, say, two sevens, you can play each card as a separate combination. Thus, you double your chances of winning, although you will have to make two separate stakes. Note that you never need to split fours and fives (this reduces your chances) and tens (destroys an almost invincible hand), and you almost always need to split aces and eights.
What Is the House Edge In Blackjack?
House edge is a percentage of each of your stakes that the casino expects to keep in the long run. The advantage of Blackjack is that it has one of the lowest house edge among all existing gambling entertainment.
Do Blackjack Websites Cheat?
It depends on which platform you choose to play on. The absolute majority of gambling portals do not deceive their customers in order not to lose serious competition in the industry. By paying due attention to the choice of a legal resource, you will protect yourself from the problems and risks of identity theft and loss of funds. Very carefully evaluate the feasibility of playing on new sites or small platforms. The former has no reputation yet, using the services of the latter is too risky. Note that only you are responsible for your money, and if you are deceived by an unscrupulous gambling operator who does not have a license, then you will have almost no chance to return your funds.
What Happens if You Tie in Blackjack?
Tie or Push is a game situation that occurs when the participant and the dealer have the same hand value. Thus, you can take your stake back or use it for the next hand. Note that in some varieties of Blackjack, a push is also used in other gaming situations. Here it is a dealer who wins in a tie in Blackjack, and the overall house edge increases significantly, so avoid such variations.
Is Blackjack a Game of Luck?
The advantage of online Blackjack is that the luck factor in this title comes down only to what cards you will have in your hand. However, the entire subsequent process is determined by you. It is you who picks what actions to take: make a split, stand, take the third card, and so on. Competent management of cards in your hand and attentiveness will significantly increase your chances of success, and the result will be provided not by luck, but by your skills.
Can I Split Tens?
No way! If you have a couple of tens on your hand, then you have a very good chance of winning, because in total they are equal to 20 points. You will only lose if the dealer has blackjack.
Where to Find a Winning Blackjack System?
Let’s clarify the main point: there is no 100% winning system in Blackjack or any other gambling game, otherwise online casinos would have gone bankrupt. But, many enthusiasts and experts in gambling continue to search for and develop such strategies. Now there are several techniques, the competent application of which can significantly increase the chances of success or, at least, structure your game, and give it balance. Many punters prefer to apply strategies, and you can do it too. Pay attention to Martingale, d’Alembert, Fibonacci and other well-known systems. Be sure to train them in demo mode to understand the nuances and see if they are suitable for you.
Is it Possible to Enjoy Blackjack for Free?
Sure! A lot of gambling resources offer their customers the opportunity to enjoy the game on the principle of ‘try before you buy’. The gameplay of the free version of the game is no different from the paid mode, except that you play without the opportunity to win money. But, the advantages of the demo mode are different:
- You can learn the rules of the game at a calm pace;
- Enjoy the selected title as much as you want;
- There are no risks for the wallet;
- You can end the game session at any time;
- Compare Blackjack variations with each other;
- Train game strategies;
- Hone your skills.
As you can see, the demo mode has a lot of benefits, so we definitely recommend that you pay attention to it.
What Bankroll do I Need to Play Online Blackjack?
There is no definite answer to this question because each punter determines for himself/herself the budget for which he/she is ready to play Blackjack and other gambling games. We can only give you some useful tips that will save you from problems and bad mood:
- Form a bankroll based on the principle of how much you can afford to lose without problems for your wallet;
- Do not exceed the budget you have set, no matter how much you would like the opposite;
- Do not try to win back your losses quickly, because this will deprive you of concentration, and it is extremely important for Blackjack;
- Try not to use the money you have won to continue the game. If you have winnings, but the bankroll has been burned, end the session and enjoy your rest.
Instructions for Enjoying Trial Online Blackjack
We want to conclude our review with instructions that will help you consolidate your knowledge about online Blackjack in practice. If you are a rookie, you will be glad to know that most of the top gambling operators allow punters to enjoy their games in free demo mode. It has many advantages: it is an opportunity to play for fun and without risk to the wallet, to understand the rules and nuances, to compare titles with each other, and, finally, to prepare for cash clashes. Do not neglect this opportunity. Here’s what you need to do:
- Step 1. Find out if the online casino accepts punters from your location of residence;
- Step 2. Open the website portfolio and find Blackjack. Check if it is available in demo mode;
- Step 3. See if the resource has a valid license. The most authoritative documents in the industry are those from Malta, Curacao and the UK;
- Step 4. Check whether the site has certificates of independent auditors confirming the integrity of the game outcomes (you need this for the future when you want to play for cash). The most reputable organizations that issue such certificates are iTech Labs, GLI, and eCOGRA;
- Step 5. This action will also help you in the future. You need to find out how the payment gates are accessible to registered users. You should be confident in the ability to comfortably replenish balance and withdraw winnings;
- Step 6. Find out which channels of communication with support agents are presented on the platform;
- Step 7. Open an account (sometimes demo mode is accessible without registration if so, skip this step) by providing the resource administration with your real personal and contact details;
- Step 8. Open the portfolio of games and launch online Blackjack in demo mode. Play, gain experience and have fun!
Final Words
In this tutorial, we have answered the most frequent questions of punters who would like to start playing online Blackjack. We hope the info was useful for you, and it will be easier for you to master the rules of this fascinating card entertainment and learn how to play and win cash. Play responsibly, and then you will provide yourself with a positive experience.