Once you've mastered even the simplest blackjack games online strategy, you'll be able to beat the dealer far more often and reduce the house advantage by around 0.5%. You won't have to rely on luck alone!
What is a blackjack strategy?
By following an online blackjack strategy, you'll be able to play the game with a pre-determined plan of action. Most online blackjack players, especially amateurs, make decisions spontaneously, while those who use strategy know exactly which move to make in any given situation.
When combined with other strategies, such as card counting, such thoughtful play helps you win more at online casinos in the long run.
Casino does not always win
Although the casino has a slight advantage over the players, you can win much more often if you apply the described strategies to play blackjack. Most importantly, always play responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Blackjack basic strategies
While other popular online casino games, most notably roulette, can have plenty of different strategies, blackjack's main strategy is to know exactly how to play the game in any given situation.
Below, you'll find detailed information on when to draw additional cards, when to stay with your existing cards, when to split pairs and when to double up.
When to draw another card and when to stop
So, you've got a four and a nine in your hand, and you don't know what to do. A ten and nine will go bust, but an eight is a good one. But what are the odds of getting one?
When playing blackjack online, such situations are not uncommon - they occur to players all the time. Luckily, there are a few rules you should be aware of, so you'll know when to draw another card and when to stop.
When to Double Up
Doubling up is a strategy which allows you to double your initial bet following a hand, and should only be done when you have a statistical advantage over the dealer. Please note: While doubling up can increase your winnings by 100%, it's a risky move that can have serious consequences.
Split Pairs
If you choose to split a pair of cards, you'll get two separate hands to continue playing. These hands can't be folded back.
You can only split a pair if you dealt two cards of equal value. Such a move not only doubles the number of hands you'll play next, but also increases your chances of beating the dealer. Remember, it's not always necessary to break a pair.
As with doubling, you'll need to double your original bet to break a pair. So it's probably best to avoid this strategy if you're low on chips.
Refusing to play
Although no-holds-barred betting is a strategy that is rarely used at online casinos, it can still be used in certain situations.
Giving up the game means losing a hand at the expense of half of your initial bet, which will reduce your losses on bad cards. Such a move will not only keep you from losing your entire bet if the dealer's hand turns out to be stronger, but it will also allow you to demonstrate your skills at the online casino.
Blackjack insurance
The last strategy you need to learn before playing online blackjack is insurance. This is a move in which the player places an additional insurance bet equal to half of the original bet if the dealer's first card opened is an ace. Placing such an 'insurance' bet allows you to stand your ground if the dealer hits blackjack. If the dealer does not have 'blackjack', the player will lose the insurance bet, but will continue playing with their main bet.
An online blackjack insurance option will pop up if a position is available.
When should I cover my bet?
By and large, only if you count cards or have a strong intuition, otherwise it makes little mathematical sense. Just because the dealer is holding an ace doesn't mean he'll have blackjack, so feel free to bet if you've got a good chance of winning.
What is card counting?
Card counting is the name of the strategy by which a player remembers the cards that have been dealt during a game. The idea is to remember which cards are left in the game and thus try to guess if you will get the card you want.
For example, if you think only high value cards are left in the shoe, you can increase or decrease your bet depending on the situation.
Although card counting is considered a rather complicated strategy, it's just a common misconception. You don't need to be a genius to learn it - so practice at home or while playing with friends, and then feel free to try your skills online.
Does card counting work?
The difference between online blackjack and other digital casino games is that the outcome of any draw is always affected by previous events.
For instance, if you get four aces in the first quarter of a one deck blackjack game, you're not going to get any more aces later on, and this factor is definitely going to affect your chances of beating the dealer (how do you do blackjack without aces?).
Of course, when playing with a single pack of cards, it's easy to tell that all the aces have already been played. If more than one deck is being used at the table at the same time, a card-counting system can come in handy.
While this strategy doesn't guarantee a win, card counting definitely works if you can keep track of all the action happening at the table during a single game. This can help you determine the best time to play high stakes games, as well as tell you when to hold your bets.
Want to try out a card counting strategy in practice? Sign up at bizzocasino.com and test your skills at the live casino.
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