A Beginners Guide to Online Blackjack

Blackjack is arguably the most popular card game played at casinos. It has been around for centuries and will continue to be played at land based and online casinos in the distant future. With this card game having been around for so long, it has unsurprisingly given rise to several different variations of the classic version of Blackjack.

When you play blackjack online, you will notice there are plenty of different types of blackjack titles, the options generally include games with slight rule differences, games that are totally new but have the same 21 concept, progressive blackjack and even live blackjack which can be found in modern online casinos where you play with a live dealer in real time, thanks to high definition video streaming.

The objective of the game

Ask most people what the objective of blackjack is and they will tell you that it is to get 21. This is not accurate - the objective is simply to beat the dealer which entails that you win. Please note that other players at a Blackjack table and their hands will have no effect on your winning or losing. Therefore, your only concern should simply be to beat the dealer and not worry about the other players, if any, at the table.

So, how do you beat the dealer? It is fairly simple, either you win or the dealer wins or the round is a push (tie). If the round happens to be a push, then you simply get your stake back, you don’t win any money or lose any money. In order for you to win, your hand total should be closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21.

How does the game work?

Before you sit at a blackjack table, make sure you know what the upper bet limit and the lower bet limit for that table is. This way, you can choose a table where you can bet as per your budget and strategy.

Once you are seated at the blackjack table, you are dealt two cards face up and the dealer will be dealt one card face up and the other one face down. Any picture card is 10 and any numerical card from 2 - 9 has the same value as its number. An Ace can be used either a 1 or an 11. Therefore, to hit the blackjack, you need an ace and a picture card worth 10 which makes a total of 21.

Should the dealer get a blackjack, the dealer will win, unless you have a blackjack too in which case it will be a push. In most cases, the dealer will not have a blackjack and so the game begins and the player has the following options

• Stand - if you decide to stand, you stick with your hand as is
• Hit - You take a card and get closer to 21, but if you cross 21, you lose
• Double - Your bet is doubled and you can draw one more card simultaneously
• Split - When a player has a pair or two 10’s he can choose to spilt and essentially play with two hands and the bet size will also be doubled.

Skill factor

Blackjack is fun, but some people like this game because it actually has a skill element to it. A good player is able to give himself much more odds of winning than someone who is just playing with no strategy. As you play, you will become aware of the different strategies and options you have as a player to give yourself the best chance of beating the dealer.

Play it Safe

Make sure you play at safe and reputable online casinos. Choose casinos that offer a wide range of recognized payment methods and that treat you well by offering you bonuses and perks when signing up.