Why Players Love Playing Blackjack Online
The online casino games lobby is awash with exciting games. Three-quarters of these are slots. The remainder is made up of table games like online blackjack. Games such as these bring a much-needed change of scenery. The monotonous gameplay associated with slots may become tedious at times. A proper dosage of a strategic game where you can use your brain and win is just what the doctor ordered. You’ll never find strategic play as a prescription on how to win on slot machines. The other reason is that online blackjack is an easy game to learn. There are only six main actions with which you need to familiarise yourself. The card values are also straightforward to memorise. This makes it effortless, even for new online casino blackjack enthusiasts, to get started.
If you’re familiar with the concept of the house edge, then the third reason why players love playing online blackjack should make a lot of sense to you. If not, let’s break it down for you. You can take this number as the advantage the casino has over you when you’re playing blackjack online. It is set at 2%, but through the successful implementation of basic strategy, you can bring the blackjack house edge to as low as 0.5%, you can never do that for slots.
How To Play Online Blackjack – The Right Way
Online blackjack is a casino game, yes, and luck plays a part. But there is a right and a wrong way to play it. The implementation of tried and tested strategies should increase the odds of you getting a favourable outcome. But before we get to the tactics, you need to get an appreciation of the blackjack rules. Since this is a card game, it’s imperative that you also get a good grasp of the card values and how their combinations are calculated. In this section, we will also see how the game is played and the various options you’ll face in any hand.
The Rules of Blackjack
The objective of online blackjack is to get 21. We’ll get to the card values in just a bit. Players at the blackjack table are not playing against each other, like in other games. Each player is engaged in a duel with the dealer. If you get 21 first, then you win; you lose if the opposite occurs. If you get 21 or blackjack, the dealer rewards you by giving you 150% of your wagered amount. You’ll also win if you get closer to 21 than the dealer. Sounds straightforward, doesn’t it? Now let’s look at the card values.
Making Sense Of Card Values
Online blackjack is played using a full card deck, minus the jokers. Some variants use multiple decks, but let’s not worry about that right now. If you are to play blackjack online successfully, then you need to know the values prescribed to these cards. A deck is made up of 4 suites, all consisting of numbered cards, 2 through 10, face cards J, K, Q, and aces A. The value of a numbered card corresponds to its number. J, K, and Q are all 10. The ace is pretty interesting; it can adopt two forms. It can either be counted as 1 or 11. It all depends on what gives you the most significant advantage.
Blackjack Options
There aren’t any wrong moves per se in online blackjack, but you just have different options. Your choice will, however, determine how the game progress and, ultimately if it will turn out in your favour or not. There are game plays which you can only use in particular circumstances. Let’s show you what we mean.
Stand: When you are dealt your two initial cards, you are faced with a few options, one of which is to stand. Standing basically means that you are choosing to do nothing. It means you are either comfortable that you’ve got a winning hand or the hand isn’t that good, but you’re hoping the dealer will bust.
Hit: This is when you ask for more cards. The primary purpose of getting more cards is to take your hand as close to 21 as you possibly can without busting. A good number would be over 17; this would force the dealer to continue hitting even on 17 and maybe bust.
Split: You can only split cards of the same value. This is an aggressive online blackjack move that results in your controlling two hands with double the stake on the line. If done correctly, you can walk away with massive earnings. On the flip side, you can end up risking more than you had bargained for.
Doubling down: Is another aggressive play in blackjack online. You can only double down after a split or on your first two cards. You do this by placing the same bet size as the original one. The dealer will then hit you with one more card on each hand you’re doubling down on.
Insurance: Is a defensive move. In online blackjack, you buy insurance when you feel the dealer might get 21. Whenever the dealer gets an ace on the first card, the insurance option comes into play. You place half your bet size on insurance, and if the dealer does get blackjack, then you’ll get the full value of your initial bet back.
Surrender: Some blackjack online game variations will allow you to throw in the towel on a bad hand. Instead of taking a risk on your entire bet, the dealer will permit you out of your hand. The only requirement is that you relinquish 50% of your original wager.
Online Blackjack Side Bets
Side bets are an essential component of playing online blackjack. You must get an understanding of the side bet options available to you. The best way you can achieve this is through free online blackjack games. So what are side bets? Well, these are proposition wagers. You are allowed to place additional wagers based on the outcome of the online blackjack hand. We have already highlighted the split, double down, and surrender. These are forms of side bets that are generally placed during a standard blackjack online game. But there’s more.
21+3 blackjack is a common side bet that many players enjoy. This bet pays out if the pair of cards in your hand and the dealer’s card match. It’s a marriage between two great card games, online blackjack and poker—winning combinations will payout at different levels. The most lucrative is the suited triple where you’ll get a 100:1 payout. You do not need a calculator to see that side bet rewards can be massive.
There are many other side bets available. Examples include lucky ladies, perfect pairs, over/under 13, and the royal match, among others. In lucky ladies, you bet that the first two cards sum up to 20. If you get 2 Qs of hearts, you’ll win the maximum bonus. A perfect pair occurs when you match the number and design of your first two cards. You can only achieve this because you’ll be playing with multiple decks. The highest you can earn from this side bet is 25:1 and happens when you get a matching number and design. A royal match is pretty much self-explanatory. It’s when you get a suit match on your first two cards.
Successfully playing side bets is pure luck; there are no strategies or skills involved. Some players have a general dislike for side bets because they slow down the online blackjack game and thereby eat into their hourly rates.
Using Blackjack Basic Strategy
The underlying assumption of online blackjack basic strategy is that there is only one right way to play a hand. If you play the hand the way it should be played, then you have the potential of walking away with cool rewards. You can even be able to convert a losing hand into a winner and also limits any losses within manageable limits. This is important to know; while you might be thinking the best way to go should be to surrender, maybe the best play would be a blackjack double down.
Basic strategy uses a set of charts to pinpoint the right choices for any given hand; don’t worry it’s not a cheat sheet. There is more than one blackjack strategy chart. You’ll find one for all forms and variations of this game. Some constraining factors of basic strategy include the number of decks used in a game and also the rules of the table. So this is also the other reason why you’ll come across numerous charts. A factor that will affect your choice of blackjack strategy is the number of decks used in the game. Also, your approach will depend on whether the dealer must stand or hit on a soft 17 or not. This is when one of the cards making up the 17 is an ace valued at 11.
Blackjack Promotions
You can have an enjoyable time playing blackjack online for fun. But when you intend to win real pounds, you’re going to have to make use of the blackjack promotions available to you. It is very common to receive an online slots bonus without putting in much effort. The online blackjack bonus, on the other hand, requires you to be just a little bit more creative. You also need to make a careful assessment of the requirements. We will take you through these promotions and help you weigh if an offer is the best online blackjack UK bonus for you. There are some critical areas which you must look out for straight off the bat.
Go For Bonus Matches Not Free Spins
The first opportunity you’ll get for online blackjack freebies is either the new casino sites UK no deposit bonus or the welcome package. In both these offers, what you’ll want to look for is a big bonus match instead of a large number of free spins. Since slots are so popular, it’s not surprising to see a casino offering free spins no deposit win real money. As impressive as this offer may be, it does not apply to players looking to play a blackjack online game. So the best online blackjack bonus for you would be the one that gives you more on the bonus end and even nothing as far as free spins are concerned. For example, we would prefer an offer for a 100% deposit bonus match up to £10 over the promise of getting 100 free spins. The composition of the offer is only one aspect you need to consider. Let’s look at others.
Watch Out For Game Restrictions
Any bonus offer in a casino comes with certain restrictions. If you fail to take note of the small print, you can get excited over a bonus only to find out later that the funds you got cannot be used on blackjack online. This point reaffirms the need to go through the best online casino reviews UK before you play online blackjack. Don’t just go for any review though because that would be just the same as not reading one at all. Look for a professional review like the ones you’ll find on slots.xyz. You must make sure you understand the specific bonus terms and conditions. The best blackjack online sites will accept most table games with no challenges.
Wagering Requirements
Misunderstanding wagering restrictions can lead to unnecessary frustration. The wagering obligations dictate the number of times you’ll have to playthrough bonus funds and or deposit. The reason why this is critical is that there are some wagering obligations which are just plainly unattainable. You don’t have a hope of completing them from the moment you accept the bonus. If you fail to meet these obligations, then all your winnings from playing blackjack online will be forfeited.
Another important aspect of wagering requirements to take note is the percentage contribution. It is not enough just to see that the wagering requirements can be met. You should also find out what contribution each game has towards these obligations, especially if you are playing online blackjack. In some instances, you’ll find blackjack online having a 20% contribution. This means if you intend on playing online blackjack exclusively, then getting a payout is that much more difficult.
Special Blackjack Online Promotions
Exclusive online blackjack bonuses pop up regularly in many casinos. In most cases, you’ll need to make an initial deposit to claim these offers, but if luck is on your side, it’s possible to find a casino accepting no deposit bonus codes. Players can also walk away with extra bonus money and cashback on all live blackjack online side bets.
Online Blackjack Game Variations
There are many ways to enjoy online blackjack. Let’s take stock for a moment; you now know how to play blackjack and how to recognise a good bonus offer. So let’s look at which game variation is best for you. There are over 20 available today. In the past, players used to have only the traditional blackjack online game to keep them entertained. So to refresh, you would see most players trying out free scratch cards or the free online roulette game. This is no longer necessary as you have multiple options from which to choose. While the rule for the dealer to hit on soft 17 still applies across the board, in some cases, blackjacks no longer pay 3:2.
Blackjack Switch
You start playing blackjack switch by placing two equal wagers in the bets area. The dealer will then give you two hands. This is the first difference with conventional online blackjack, where you’ll be playing with one hand. The reason why this game is called an online blackjack switch is that you can choose to “switch” the second cards on your two hands to give you an advantage. After switching the same rules as in traditional online blackjack apply. This means you can then choose to double down, or in the case of same value pairs, split. Blackjack Switch also allows you to make side bets. You can place a wager for a super match. The way this works is you win if there are any like pairs on the first four cards you are dealt. This side bet pays 1:1 on two cards of the same value. An important rule to keep in mind is that the dealer pushes all beats to the left on 22. This means that whether your hand is a 16 or 20, it does not matter. The only instance where this rule does not stand is if you get a natural blackjack.
European Blackjack
European blackjack has a few unique twists. A blackjack in European blackjack pays out 3:2. This is not the case in blackjack switch. Another difference is that European Blackjack is played with one hand. Here the dealer must hit on soft 17. Doubling down is also not as straightforward as other variants of online blackjack. In European blackjack, you can only double down when you have a 9, 10, or 11.
This is a popular online blackjack variant in Europe. It is how players like it and hold one major difference from traditional online blackjack. The dealer only gets their hole card after you have made your play decisions. This may seem like a small thing, but just that little tweak turns the whole game on its head. It affects how players implement their basic strategy, specifically doubling down. This is just one of the many restrictions online blackjack players face in the European version of the game. Your splitting options will also be limited. You are only allowed to split once. Furthermore, European online blackjack UK rules dictate that you can only split the same character face cards. Let’s look at the most played variant of online blackjack.
American Blackjack
You’ll find this version of the game listed as Classic blackjack online in most lobbies. The game starts by you placing a bet. You’ll receive one hand consisting of two cards from the dealer. Even if you are in the live blackjack lobby and there are other players at the table you do not need to worry about them. Your game is with the dealer. After you have received your cards, you’ll notice that the dealer also takes a hole card. This is the concealed card that will only be revealed after you have finished making your game choices.
We have already covered some of the play choices you can make and the scenario in which they can be employed. What’s worth mentioning, however, would be that blackjack pays 3:2. In American blackjack online; you will also be able to double down after a split. Most online blackjack games are variations of this version.
Multiplayer Blackjack Tournaments
The multiplayer tournament is a dream for any online blackjack player looking to learn more about the game. It brings together enthusiasts across various skill levels and pitches them not only against the dealer but against each other as well. The goal in these online blackjack tournaments is to win more money than other competitors. The one who comes out on top in the final round will win a money prize. If the tournament was “pay to participate,” then the prize money could well be the total of the entry fees.
The way this is set up is players are given a seat at the table. You can have up to five participants on a single blackjack online table. Everyone starts with the same amount of money and plays a predetermined number of games. The top player at the end of the round progresses to the next level, where they’ll meet other winners from other tables. The process goes on until only one table is left where the winner will be revealed. The beauty of playing multiplayer blackjack online is you do not have to concern yourself about the snide remarks from other players as you would usually have to in a brick and mortar casino.
Exclusive Live Blackjack
Online casinos also have exclusive live blackjack lobbies. These are inhouse live casino rooms hosted by the casino. You can play your favourite variation of blackjack online in a familiar setting fit for a VIP. The casino branding is usually placed on the table as a badge promising nothing but the best. It’s very common to mistake inhouse for low quality. While these games bear the casino name, they are usually run by the best live online games suppliers. So players are assured of the highest standards which have been tried and tested across thousands of live casino game lobbies.
You might be wondering what it’s like to play in the exclusive live blackjack lobby and what the options available to you are. Well, the exclusive lobby allows you to interact with the dealers and other players at the table. Using the chat feature is entirely up to you. If you don’t feel like engaging with anyone, that’s fine as well; you can just leave it off. Usually, exclusive live blackjack lobbies operate at convenient times that fit nicely with your schedule. So you can be sure that after work and during the weekends you’ll be entertained.
Many players enjoy the gameplay options too. At times you may get to the online blackjack table and find that all the seats are filled. No worries. You can choose to bet behind a preferred player. If the player wins, you win also. As always, side betting is also a big part of the live blackjack experience. What’s fantastic about side bets is winning does not depend on the successful implementation of blackjack strategies by the player at the table.
Free Online Blackjack Games
To be a success at blackjack online, you need to implement your strategy religiously. This requires practice. The only way you can put in the necessary time is to play blackjack online no money. Finding a casino where you can play blackjack online for fun is easy; and once you have managed that you can now try out all your new tricks, at your own pace. Free blackjack information is awash online. You can use slots.xyz to get a grasp of the game for a while. Only once you feel comfortable with your knowledge can you graduate from free blackjack online and start playing for real money.
The best mobile casinos will also have options allowing you to play blackjack online free games. You can even find exclusive live casino android apps for blackjack online enthusiasts. These apps are well designed and feature crisp graphics and audio. You can spend hours on end playing because online blackjack is such an easy game. But you should always keep in mind that when you play a free blackjack game, you’ll not win real money. It’s different from when you get free spins no deposit, or free slots win real money no deposit required.
