Timeless elegance is one of the best ways to sum up blackjack. From what we know, blackjack’s origins date back to 1600s France. Originally called “Ving-et-un,” hence the name, 21, caught on like wildfire in France and Europe. Originally the preferred card game among the elite and royalty, blackjack eventually found its way to the common people.
Fast forward to the 1930s, when Nevada formally legalized casinos, blackjack took off like a rocket in the United States. With the rise of online casinos, blackjack soared to even newer heights. Discover the expert tips and winning strategies to become the next big blackjack winner.
Breaking Through Online Blackjack
There’s no question that since the online casino boom, blackjack has soared to even newer heights, picking up new members along the way. This is especially true during the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown. Forced inside, traditional casino blackjack players rekindled their love for this table game online.
Besides offering Classic Blackjack, players get their pick of exotic variants like Pontoon, European Blackjack, and Spanish 21 thanks to technology. When you factor in live dealer play, the stakes and sense of community are much higher. Even if you’re brand new to online blackjack, most online casinos have strategy guides to help you understand the basics, like when to hit, stand, and split aces.
Basic Strategies for Blackjack Beginners
If you’re new to blackjack, that’s okay. Not only is it one of the most thrilling and rewarding games, but it is fundamentally simple to play. The goal is to have a playing hand that equals 21 or is higher than the dealer. Although multiple players can play at the same blackjack table, each player goes against the dealer.
Counting in Blackjack
Blackjack cards use a standard deck without jokers. The dealer passes out the cards from a shoe. Deuces through Nine count as they are. However, Tens and the Face Cards are all equal to ten. Aces count as either Eleven or One.
The Dealer Deals
Each blackjack player receives two face-up cards from the dealer. The dealer also deals his or herself two cards; however, the first card dealt is left face up. This dealer card is known as the upcard. Please beware that some variants, like European Blackjack, that are widely available at real-money online casinos, have the dealer deal themselves the second card only after all the players have made their decisions.
- To Hit: While getting a natural blackjack with your first two cards is possible, the odds of that happening are not even worth calculating. Chances are, you have to decide to hit, which means drawing an additional card. However, whenever you hit, you run the risk of going “bust.” To bust in blackjack means either the player or the dealer’s card value exceeds 21. The smaller the card value, the more you hit. But if your card value is 11 or more, drawing a ten or a face card can make you go bust.
- To Stand: You cannot receive new cards after your initial hand or after any you hit. In most variants, the dealer must stand on a “soft 17,” meaning the dealer has an Ace and a Six. Otherwise, the dealer must hit until they hit a hard 17 or beyond.
- Doubling Down: Doubling down works like hitting. However, the player must double their initial bet, and they can only receive one more card during the playing round. In other words, it’s double the win or nothing.
Advanced Strategies for Passionate Blackjack Players
If you can’t get enough of blackjack and want to boost your winning odds against the dealer, here are some expert tips to take your game to the next level.
- Always Split Aces: If you have the fortune of having a pair of Aces, that means your card value is 12. One Ace counts for Eleven points, while the second Ace counts for One point. The savvy blackjack player splits aces because it’s impossible to go bust with the next card. Furthermore, you’re in a prime position to have two winning hands.
- Consider Splitting Tens: A pair of tens puts you in the driver’s seat in two ways. If you stand, you’re a point away from 21. If you split the tens, you don’t have to worry about going bust with another card. Splitting tens also puts you in a great position to double down to win it all without going bust.
- Consider Splitting Eights: Splitting eights works similarly to splitting tens. You don’t have to worry about going bust with the next card you decide to hit or double down.
- Beware of Side Bets: Some blackjack variants let you buy insurance if the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. Insurance helps minimize losses in case the dealer has a blackjack. The problem is, if you win, you still lose this side bet.
Practical Tips and Bankroll Management for Blackjack Play
While blackjack offers promising wins, the first rule of thumb is to try to have fun at the playing table. Fortunately, if you’re playing online, you can set responsible gaming measures. In responsible gaming measures, you can read about the early signs of problem gaming and tips for stopping. You can also set playing and loss limits for your blackjack play. Of course, you can find contact information for organizations dedicated to problem gaming.
As AI becomes more involved in online casinos, it continues to shape future blackjack games. Thanks to AI, it can design custom variants and develop personalized strategy guides for each player.
