History – How To Play – Rules – Odds – Strategy – Pro’s Perspective

The value of a hand is the sum of the point values of the individual cards. Except, a 'blackjack' is the highest hand, consisting of an ace and any 10-point card, and it outranks all other 21-point hands. After the players have bet, the dealer will give two cards to each player and two cards to himself. One of the dealer cards is dealt face up.

1. Edit: Please note, blackjack is a game of chance. You're never garunteed to win with a hand, but this cheat sheet will provide the best actions to perform with a certain hand to get the best chances of winning.
2. In the Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide to follow, each of the five playing options from above (Hit, Stand, Split, Double and Surrender) are indicated by their own specifically colored entry in each of the strategy charts. A summary of each color-coded indicator is shown to the right.
3. Blackjack is known as one of the world’s most popular casino card games. The name ‘Blackjack’ derives from an old version of the game where a bonus was awarded to a hand with an Ace of Spades and a Jack of Clubs or Spades. Primarily a game of skill and chance, it appeals to both seasoned players and beginners.

Whether online or land-based Blackjack is one of the most popular card games at casinos, whether online or land-based. The game is sometimes referred to as 21, as players will try to get a hand total that is equal to 21. The game is not a competitive game in that players do not compete against each other. It is only played between the player and the dealer at the blackjack table. When the showdown occurs, players will not compare their blackjack hands together, but will instead compare their hands with the hand of the dealer.

There are many versions of the game, but they all have the same concept and target, which is reaching a hand total of twenty-one. The game begins with each player being dealt 2 cards. Players will then go through a series of decisions that depend on the hand total and the cards forming the hand. These decisions include “Hitting”, “Standing”, “Splitting” and “Doubling Down.”

When players get an ace and a jack or any other ten-value card, they will instantly win, and it is called Blackjack. Players will be rewarded more than the usual winning hand ( for Blackjack which is usually 3 to 2) while regular winning hands would pay even money (one to one). There is also a selection of side bets that players can place, depending on the blackjack version. The typical side bet in most blackjack games is an Insurance bet.

Blackjack History

The origin of Blackjack, like many other casino games, is still debatable. Nonetheless, most people agree the game of Blackjack originated in France in its land-based casinos in the 1700s. The game was called Vingt-et-Un. Vingt-et-Un is a French word that translates to twenty-one (21) in English, which is how players still use to refer to blackjack to this day. Some researchers believe that the game was derived from other card games that were popular in France at the time. These French games were French Ferme & Chemin de Fer, which had many similar rules and procedures.

Though Blackjack is thought to originate in France, the game was first referenced in a novel written in the 1600s by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. In the book, he describes two characters playing a card game that was named Veintiuno (Vingt-et-Un), and the rules of the game were pretty similar if not the exact rules of Blackjack.

Players dealt with cards, and the purpose was to get a hand total that is as close to twenty-one as possible without busting. In this game, the Aces counted as either 1 point or 11, just the like modern-day version of Blackjack. The book was written in the early 17th century, which adds credibility to the theory that the game actually originated in Spain.

Later on, the game of Blackjack traveled throughout Europe, however, leaving the most prominent tracks in Spain and France. Eventually, the game was introduced to the US.

Among the different versions of Blackjack, Vingt-et-Un (21) was the one that spread the most. It started to appear gradually in North America among the French colonists. However, the rules of Vingt-et-Un at that time differed slightly from modern-day Blackjack. For example, the dealer was the only person permitted to double down, and there were wagering rounds between each dealt card.

The game became very popular in Nevada as it was the first state to legalize gambling in 1931.

At that time, the game was still named 21. For the casinos to attract players and encourage them to play the game, they offered the chance to place a special bet. This bet would pay players 10: 1 if they got a blackjack with a Jack of Clubs or Spades, along with an Ace of Spades. This is where the name Blackjack originated.

How to Play Blackjack

Like any casino card game, players will start by placing a bet. This is the final bet and players will not be able to reduce it or add to it (unless the game allows for doubling down) during gameplay. Once players place their respective bets, they will get two cards facing up while the dealer will give himself two cards though one is facing down, and the other is facing up. In some versions, the two cards of the dealer will also be facing up, for example in Blackjack Double Xposure.

Some games allow players to place bets on more than one blackjack hand; they are called multi-hand blackjack games. In these games, players will place a separate bet for each hand, and each hand is played separately. Although it is very rewarding, and it enables players to recover from the loss of one of the hands by winning the rest, it can also be devastating if the dealer gets a good hand or a blackjack.

Players will calculate their hand total, and make a decision to: either “Hit” or “Stand.” If they “Hit”, it means that they are not satisfied with their hand total and that they want more cards. They can keep hitting until they “Stand” which means that they are happy with the hand total or until they “Bust.” Busting means going over 21; if players bust, the hand is an immediate loss.

Once players stand, the dealer will show his hole card, which is the card that was facing down. He will then start “Hitting” which means to draw more cards until he reaches or passes 17. Some games obligate the dealer to stand on all 17s, and some require the dealer to stop at only Hard 17s. After the dealer stands, a comparison between the hand of the dealer and the hand of the player will take place. The hand that is closest to 21 is the winning hand. If the two hands have the same value, it’s a tie, which really depends on the rules of each version. When there is a tie, it is called a “Push”; some versions would consider it a tie and give players back their bets while other games consider a Push to be in the favor of the dealer.

There are other decisions that players will need to make during the gameplay. For example, players can “Split” If they get identical cards to form two hands. The two hands will have the same value of the original bet. Some versions would enable players to split more than once to form 4 different Blackjack hands. Also, some versions would allow players to split, unlike ten-value cards like a Ten and a Jack, or a Jack and a Queen. Players can split aces in some versions, but they will only be able to hit once and if they get a ten-value card, they will be paid even money as it is considered an average win and not a Blackjack.

Blackjack Rules

The rules of blackjack depend on which version is being played. Players are advised to check the rules of the specific blackjack version they are playing before engaging in the game. Although there are common rules like 21, busting, the dealing procedure and the card value, there are other rules that differ.

Card Values:

The card values are equal to the face value of each card, while Jacks, Queen, and Kings have a value of ten. Aces can be counted as either 11 or 1, depending on the blackjack hand. If it forms a total while being counted as 11, it is called soft, and if it creates a total while being counted as 1, it is called hard. For example, a hand that consists of an Ace and a five is a soft sixteen and a hard six.

Splitting Rules:

Splitting is allowed in every blackjack game, but some games will not allow splitting Aces and some games will only allow players to split 1 time. Players who split aces will only be allowed to hit once and get one more card. Players can split unlike ten-value cards depending on the rules of each game; some allow it while some require players to get identical ten-value cards so they can split. Splitting means that players will place a new wager which on the new hand, which is equal to the original wager was placed on the Blackjack hand; with four hands players can quadruple their original wager.

Double Down Rules:

Players will be permitted to double down after they get their first two cards. Some games enable players to double down at any value and others only allow them to double down if they get a hand total that is equal to 9, 10 or 11. Players will only be able to get one more card after they double, they will have to take that card, because it is not optional.

Surrender Rules:

Some games will give players the chance to surrender their blackjack hands; it is the equivalent of folding in poker. Players can make that decision after they are dealt the initial two cards. If they surrender, they will forfeit the hand, and they will lose half of their bet. Sometimes it is better to lose half than to lose the entire bet.

Insurance Rules:

Insurance is a side bet that players can place if the dealer’s card that is facing up is an Ace or a ten-value card. Players will win that bet if the hand has a blackjack. The dealer will peek and see his card once players place that wager and pay it out if it is a blackjack.

If players do not place insurance, and the dealer gets a blackjack, all the wagers, except insurance will bust. If the player has a blackjack as well, it is considered a push. Some variations will give players their bets back, while others consider a push to be in the favor of the house.

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Blackjack Odds

For you to fully understand the game, it is essential to comprehend and master the odds of the game and learn about the advantage of the house. It is critical to know how the house gets its edge.

The house has a distinct advantage over the players because players have to draw in blackjack first. If the player busts, the dealer will automatically win regardless of their hand. This is the main advantage the house has, and if everything else is equal, the house edge in a standard game of blackjack would be equal to 8 percent. The player and the dealer have a 28 percent probability of going over 21. Twenty-eight multiplied by twenty-eight means that 8 percent of the time the two hands will go over 21, and since the player will draw first, the dealer will win if and when they both bust.

Odds of Busting Based on Dealer’s First Card Drawn

Of course, the odds are not equal among all variations. Some offer players great advantages and, to balance these benefits; the casino increases its advantage or edge. Because of this, it is essential for players to know everything about the game before playing.

For example, the number of decks in play has a tremendous effect. Some games draw cards from a single deck, which can affect the odds significantly while other games draw the cards from six different decks of cards. If a game uses one deck of cards, the house will change other rules to increase its odds and reduce the odds for players. This is because when a player gets an Ace, it means there are 3 Aces left which decreases the chances for the dealer in getting one of these aces. On the other hand, if the game uses 6 decks, it means that there are 23 Aces remaining in the deck.

The odds on a player’s hand will change every step of the way. For example, if players get two cards, and they hit, the hand total will increase, and the chance of busting will increase, and so forth.

Odds of Busting based on Player’s First Card Drawn

Since Blackjack is one of the games with a reputation of counting cards, a lot of researchers and gamblers have studied the game and the odds so they can increase their chances of winning. You might have seen that in the movie “21” where MIT students developed a way to beat the house. For them to do that, they had to make up a counting system that would increase their advantage. This is why there are published studies that show the percentage of busting and getting a blackjack depending on the first 2 cards, the hand total of the player, and the facing up card of the dealer. You can find more about these strategies and percentages in the Strategy section.

Blackjack Strategy

Before discussing strategy, let us firstly go through some numbers that can be quite helpful. For starters, we will discuss the bust probabilities for each hand total. This will enable players to optimize their game to the fullest by knowing the percentage of busting if they ask for one more card.

– If players get a hand total of 11 or below, the percentage is equal to zero.
– If players get a hand total of 12 or below, the percentage is equal to 31.
– If players get a hand total of 13 or below, the percentage is equal to 39.
– If players get a hand total of 14 or below, the percentage is equal to 56.
– If players get a hand total of 15 or below, the percentage is equal to 58.
– If players get a hand total of 16 or below, the percentage is equal to 62.
– If players get a hand total of 17 or below, the percentage is equal to 69.
– If players get a hand total of 18 or below, the percentage is equal to 77.
– If players get a hand total of 19 or below, the percentage is equal to 85.
– If players get a hand total of 20 or below, the percentage is equal to 92.

From these numbers, players can figure out when they should stand and when they should hit. Players who get a hand total of between 2 and sixteen should generally hit and get another card. If they get a hand total that is more than 17, they should typically stand.

Of course, players will have to take the showing card of the dealer into consideration. The next set of numbers shows the dealer’s chance of busting according to the facing up card.

– Ace (11.65%)
– 10/Face Card (21.43%)
– 9 (23.34%)
– 8 (23.6%)
– 7 (25.9%)
– 6 (42.08%)
– 5 (42.89%)
– 4 (40.28%)
– 3 (37.56%)
– 2 (35.30%)

Taking these numbers into consideration, as well as the previous ones, will help players decide whether they should hit or stand.

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Besides hitting and standing, players should also know when to split and when not to split:

– When players get Aces or 8 cards, they should always split. There is a big chance to get a hand total that is closer to twenty-one when you hit on these two cards.
– Players should never split 10, 4, or 5 cards, regardless of the upcard of the dealer. Splitting in these scenarios will put you in danger of busting.
– Players should split 7, 3, and 2 cards if the dealer is showing a card between a 2 and a 7. If the value of his card is 8 or over, you should hit instead of splitting.
– Players should split 6 cards if the dealer is showing a card that has a value between 2 and 6. If the value of his card is equal to 7 or over, you should hit instead of splitting.

Pro’s Perspective: Blackjack Strategies and Tips

With John Grochowski

Not all blackjack games are created equal. Beyond the basics, there is a mix-and-match set of rules, and each casino chooses the conditions for its own game variations. Some rules are favorable to players while others give the casino an extra edge.
Let’s look at some of the more common options.

Number of Card Decks

Fewer decks are better for players. That’s because more blackjacks are dealt with fewer decks. That’s true for both players and dealers, but players are paid a premium on blackjacks and dealers aren’t.

In a single-deck game, if your first card is an Ace, 16 of the other 51 cards, or 31.4 percent, are 10-value cards that complete a blackjack. In a six-deck game, a first-card Ace leaves 64 of the other 311 cards, or 30.9 percent, as 10 values. There is a similar effect when the first card is a 10-value. Regardless of whether an Ace or a 10 comes first, there is a greater chance of blackjack with fewer decks.

However, not all single-deck games are better than all multi-deck games. You need to consider other rules in effect, including those listed below.

Blackjack Rules

The basic blackjack rule is that the dealer hits on 16 or less and stands on 17 or more. However, many casinos have the dealer hit soft 17, where an Ace is being counted as 11. Soft 17s such as Ace-6, Ace-2-4, Ace-3-3, and others can’t be busted with a one-card hit because the Ace can be counted as 1 instead.

It’s better for players if the dealer stands on all 17s. Hitting soft 17 gives the dealer a chance to improve to hands that could beat player 17s, 18s, 19s or 20s, and even push player 21s.

For most of blackjack’s history, two-card 21s have paid 3-2 so that a $10 bet brings $15 in winnings. Some casinos nowadays only pay on 6-5 on blackjacks, so a $10 bet only wins $12. This is one of the most important rules in blackjack. If blackjacks only pays 6-5, it adds 1.4 percent to the house edge – an amount greater than the entire house edge in many games that pay 6-5.

Variations of Double Down

As a player, you want to see games where the player may double down on any first two cards, including after the player has split pairs. If you split a pair of 8s and receive a 3 on one for a two-card total of 11, you want the option of doubling down. It increases the house edge if the casino does not allow doubling down after splits. Similarly, some casinos do not allow doubling down on soft hands and some restrict doubling to two-card totals of hard 10 or 11.

Fewer restrictions are better for smart players who know how to use them. Have your web browser search for basic strategy charts. They’ll tell you the proper times to double down along with the best plays for each possible hand.

Learning how to play blackjack in a casino gives a gambler access to the casino game with the best house odds, from a player’s perspective. Blackjack is a game of skill, where strategy and research make a difference. Blackjack is an exciting table game because it attracts smart bettors who understand the game can be profitable in the right circumstances. Practicing blackjack tips prepares a gambler for the most entertaining casino game, whether they play blackjack online for real money or visit a brick-and-mortar casino’s blackjack tables.

In this blackjack 101 guide, we’ll discuss blackjack rules, basic strategy, tips and tricks, and game selection. This guide covers land-based blackjack, online blackjack, and the trendy new versions of the game, such as mobile blackjack and live dealer blackjack. I’ll cover more advanced topics like money management and card counting while providing step-by-step instructions on how to play blackjack online. When finished, you’ll have all the information you need to pick the right blackjack casino, then succeed in the exciting, competitive world of online blackjack

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Where to Play Blackjack

The decision of where to play blackjack is important because different online and offline casino have wildly disparate rules. Blackjack rules affect the house edge, so when you’re playing for real money, the house rules are as important as learning the basic strategy or card counting. Blackjack in land-based casinos might offer advantageous single-hand blackjack, but have other rules which make the 6-hand blackjack table next to it a better game. Playing blackjack online all-but-eliminated card counting, because of automatic reshuffles on each hand. Live dealer blackjack allows online card counters a chance again. Whichever blackjack variant you choose to play, remember to study a basic strategy chart and practice blackjack online for free.

There Advantages of Land-Based Blackjack

Card Counting: Land-based casinos deal cards from a shoe, with 75% penetration of the deck, so card counting works.

Live Betting: Playing live blackjack in an opulent brick-and-mortar casino is glamorous and fun.

Camaraderie: Blackjack in a land casino allows people to socialize with fellow blackjack players.

Three Disadvantages of Land-Based Blackjack

Inconvenience: Many Americans live more than 100 miles from a land-based casino, making gambling difficult.

Cost: Trips to casino destinations are costly, involving hotel rooms and airfare. Also, no welcome bonuses.

Less Selection: Even big land-based casinos might not have your favorite blackjack rules.

Three Advantages of Online Blackjack

Bonus Promotions: Online casinos have welcome bonuses, table game bonuses, and reload bonuses.

Huge Selection: The best online blackjack casinos have dozens of blackjack variants.

Live Blackjack: Live dealer blackjack allow real-life card hands, as well as card counting.

Three Disadvantages of Online Blackjack

Blackjack Hand Guide

No Card Counting: Random number generators reshuffle the blackjack deck each hand, so no card counting works.

Quicker Hands: Online blackjack allows rapid-fire hands, increasing the effect of the house edge.

Limited Access: Depending on the jurisdiction you live in, playing options are sometimes limited.

Best Online Blackjack Casinos

Given the sheer number of choices, playing blackjack online for real money is the best choice for blackjack players. The benefits of playing blackjack online are legion: online blackjack casinos are more convenient, offer more and better rules, and have more ways to play blackjack games. Mobile blackjack means you can play anytime during the day and anywhere you go. Multi-hand blackjack with the maximum hands and bet limits provides the biggest thrills for high roller blackjack players.

If you want to count cards, playing online blackjack with live dealers allows a card counter to keep a count with a computer program and without being seen by the dealer or pit boss. Card counters should choose the best blackjack online casinos with the live dealer option because it’s how you make money playing blackjack online.

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How to Play Blackjack – Basics Rules

Learning how to play blackjack is easy. Playing a hand of blackjack is not hard, compared to other games. The basic rules are easy to follow, though mastering how to win at blackjack is a bit harder. This blackjack 101 guide provides the basic rules of blackjack and a few tips to make help you improve your game. If you play for real money against a live dealer, you’ll want to memorize a basic strategy chart for the specific rules you use. If you play at a live casino online, keep a basic strategy chart next on your desk or in a separate tab for easy reference. Basic blackjack rules do not include card counting, so that skill requires additional study.

Top 5 Blackjack Rules

Blackjack Rule 1 – Player vs. Dealer: Each player at the blackjack table is matched against the dealer. You don’t compete against other blackjack players. The player goes first, meaning you can bust first, which provides the house edge.

Blackjack Rule 2 – Closest to 21 Wins: The hand which is closest to 21 without going over wins. If you get 22 or more, you bust. If you get 21 with the two-hole cards, it is called a natural twenty-one or blackjack.

Blackjack Rule 3 – Splitting Paired Hands: If you receive two cards of the same value on a deal (2-2, A-A, J-J), you can split the cards into two hands in most games. Basic strategy charts explain when it is advantageous to split cards.

Blackjack Rule 4 – Double Down Bet: After the deal, a player who thinks he or she has an advantage can place a second bet for the same amount as their ante bet — a process called doubling down. Strict rules determine whether you can double down after splits.

Blackjack Rule 5 – Hitting on Soft 17: When a player wants another card, it is called “hitting”. Dealers hit, too, and one of the most important rules is whether the dealer hits on a soft 17. Note: “Soft” is a hand with an Ace, meaning it can’t bust.

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Blackjack Strategy Chart

A blackjack basic strategy chart gives a player the right move on every single hand combination. These blackjack cheat sheet charts are designed using computational simulations on millions, perhaps billions, of hands. Therefore, a blackjack hit-or-stand chart is a mathematical breakdown of the optimal play. Whether you play blackjack online or in a brick-and-mortar casino, it helps to have a basic blackjack hand chart at your side. Remember that basic strategy charts exist for every single rule combination, so optimal play is only achieved if you memorize the right chart. The best way to learn basic blackjack strategy is to learn the game online first for free, then play blackjack for real money.

House Edge in Blackjack

The house edge in blackjack is the probabilistic advantage a casino has over the player. Learning basic strategy does not change the blackjack odds of winning, but it helps a player achieve optimal play, meaning the stated house edge is the effective house edge. Understanding the blackjack house edge helps you understand the odds you face, while helping you select the correct version of blackjack to play. Each rule either positively or negatively affects your chances of winning at blackjack, so study how each rule affects your blackjack odds. Also understand that the casino’s house edge exists every time you play, unless you use card counting to gain an advantage. The blackjack house edge is explained further below, as I discuss how each blackjack trick helps a blackjack player succeed.

Top 3 Blackjack Strategies to Lower the House Edge

Basic Strategy: Basic strategy does not give you the advantage. It assures a 0.50% house edge doesn’t become a 2.50% house edge. Mastery basic strategy charts help you achieve optimal play.

Money Management: Money management techniques teach a player how to handle their bankroll. A key concept to learn is determining the size of your bankroll and setting how much you should wager on each hand, but loss limits and win goals are important for maintaining discipline and focus. Using loss limits, bankroll management is key to stretching your gambling budget until luck comes their way. Using win goals, money management helps players lock in winnings when they have big winning sessions.

Card Counting: Once you achieve optimal play, card counting helps you vary your bets at advantageous times, giving you the advantage over the casino. Card counting plus basic strategy helps you gain a 100%+ return to player (RTP), which is why casinos don’t like card counters.

How to Play Blackjack and Win – Avoid Mistakes

Play blackjack at home in practice mode allows a player to master the basics. Like in sports, winning play for beginners learning how to play blackjack isn’t about brilliant moves, but about eliminating careless mistakes. When you first play blackjack in a casino, your goal should be to learn how to avoid mistakes. Avoiding mistakes helps a player achieve optimal play, because less-than-optimal play leads to more losses, whether you play in online or land-based casinos. With study of a basic strategy chart, you’ll learn how to play blackjack and win at black jack. To win consistently at blackjack, but all your knowledge together to learn winning strategies, use good bankroll management, and avoid blackjack mistakes.

Worst Blackjack Mistakes

The worst blackjack mistakes happen when you’re misinformed. You might read an article named “How to Win Blackjack without Counting Cards” and the writer might discuss betting tips that sound reasonable, but actually hurt your chances of winning in the long run. You might read a strategy chart with the wrong tips. Avoid the worst blackjack mistakes and you’ll enjoy blackjack betting a lot more. Read tips sections like “Casino Pit Boss Confessions” to learn the most common mistakes blackjack bettors make.

Blackjack Mistake 1 – Progressive Betting Tips: Avoid progressive betting like the Martingale, D’Alembert, or Fibonacci betting techniques. Martingale betting provides a lot of small winning hands, but when you get unlucky, you’ll risk losing your entire bankroll.

Blackjack Mistake 2 – Online Card Counting: One huge mistake online blackjack players make is counting cards. Virtual blackjack in an online casino uses a random number generator, which reshuffles the deck after each hand. RNG reshuffles make card counting useless. Choose live dealer blackjack if you wish to count cards online.

Blackjack Mistake 4 – Drinking Too Much: Whether playing with free drinks in a land-based casino or sampling from the liquor cabinet while playing online at home, avoid drinking-and-betting. The reason casinos offer free alcohol is it’s an investment. If you lack inhibitions while you play, you’re likely to make bad bets and chase after losses.

Blackjack Mistake 5 – Bad Budgeting: Too many blackjack players make bigger bets than their budget allows, or stays at the table too long. Players should treat their bankroll like a budget. Money management helps you make realistic size bets while limiting the length of your gambling sessions.

Blackjack Mistake 5 – Playing 6:5 Tables: Rules that stipulate 6:5 blackjacks instead of 3:2 blackjacks cost players the most money. If you see a single-hand table that pays 6:5 for a blackjack, the casino is trying to trick you into playing a worse game. Avoid 6:5 payouts always.

Blackjack Tips for Playing at Online Casino

Some blackjack advice doesn’t fit neatly into the strategy and rules sections. When you play blackjack for real money online, transition to online casino blackjack with a live dealer as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. Before you do so, practice blackjack online for free at a site like Bovada, Betway, or BetOnline, which allow practice mode blackjack in their software. The following blackjack tips focus on playing at online casinos. Remember that some rules found at land based casinos do not apply to the online casinos, which I’ll explain in the 5 Best Blackjack Tips below.

Five Best Blackjack Tips

Blackjack Tip 1 – Ignore the Law of Averages: Don’t assume that you’re “due”, or the table is either “hot” or “cold”. The law of averages is a gambling myth. When using a random number generator, each blackjack hand has no connection to the previous or the next hand. Instead, pay attention to the blackjack odds when making decisions.

Blackjack Tip 2 – Don’t Take Insurance: Insurance is a sucker bet. Insurance pays 1:1 if you lose in certain situations, but those situations only happen about 1 times every 3 hands. That’s a losing proposition. Unless you’re a skilled card counter and the count calls for insurance (and it seldom does), avoid insurance.

Blackjack Tip 3 – Use Flat Betting: Unless you’re a card counter, don’t vary your betting. Progressive and regressive betting styles don’t change the house edge. Instead, figure out the appropriate flat bet for your bankroll, then focus on basic strategy and optimal play.

Blackjack Tip 4 – Split 8s and Aces: Many splitting tips exist, but two times you always should split is when you hold a pair of 8s or a pair of aces. Remember this blackjack splitting tip as the start of your knowledge on playing blackjack hands.

Blackjack Tip 5 – Avoid Side Bets: Side bets have bigger payouts. Side bet also has a worse house edge than the main bet in blackjack. If you decide to play Perfect Pairs or Progressive Blackjack with your eyes wide open, wager on the side bets. If you simply want to play blackjack for the best odds, avoid side bets.

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Blackjack Game Variations

Bettors will find many variations of blackjack at online casinos. Here are several of the most popular blackjack game variations. The best online casinos offer these games, including practice mode blackjack and real money versions. Keep in mind that black jack games have different names throughout the world. Before you start playing blackjack games for real money, read a basic strategy chart for each blackjack variant and play for free in practice mode to learn how to play.

Classic Blackjack: Classic Blackjack is the name of the basic and most popular version of blackjack. This includes 3:2 for a natural blackjack, along with rules that allow splitting and doubling. The dealer hits on a soft 17 in this version.

Pontoon: English Pontoon is a variant in which a blackjack is called a pontoon, while the 5-card trick in in play. The five-card trick is when you receive five cards without busting. Pontoon is popular in the United Kingdom.

Poker Hand Guide Card

Australian Pontoon: Australian Pontoon is known as Spanish 21 in some online casinos. In this game, the Spanish deck (without 10s) is used, while hands built with 777 or 678 are given special payouts. Australian Pontoon is popular in Australia, New Zealand, and India.

European Blackjack: European Blackjack forces the dealer to stand on soft 17 — a huge advantage for players. Unfortunately, the “No Peek” rule is in effect, meaning you lose the entire bet when the dealer has a natural blackjack. Doubling is more limited, too. European Blackjack is popular in Germany and Eastern Europe.

Perfect Pairs: Perfect Pairs is a side bet in which you receive payouts when you receive a pair. A mixed color pair pays 5:1. A same color pair pays 10:1. A matching pair of the same color and suit pays out 30:1. This is found in most Microgaming and RTG online casinos.

Zappit Blackjack: Zappit Blackjack plays like a combination of classic blackjack and 5-card draw. If you don’t like your hole cards, you can hit the Zappit button to receive 2 different cards. Zappit Blackjack is exclusive to RTG casinos, such as Bovada, Bodog, Slots.lv, and Ignition Casino.

Blackjack Switch: In Blackjack Switch, the dealer deals two sets of hole cards to each player. The player has the option to switch cards between both hands in order to make a stronger hand. The drawback is you have an equal bet on both hands, so strategy is required to create the strongest set of hands.

Double Exposure: Most black jack games deal one hole card and one face card to the dealer, meaning you only see one card. Double Exposure deals both dealer cards face-up. The drawback is the dealer wins on tie hands, along with a handful of other advantages.

Progressive Blackjack: Progressive blackjack is played with a side bet which involves a progressive side bet. Online casinos feature many variations on the accumulated side bet. This has a big payout, but the progressive jackpot has a high house edge.

Multi-Hand Blackjack: Multi-hand blackjack allows a player to wager on multiple hands at one time. This lowers the volatility of the game, but also allows high rollers to exceed the maximum bet limit on a single bet. Multi-hand blackjack is therefore popular with high stakes blackjack players.

Practice Blackjack Online for Free

This article has reiterated several times that players should practice blackjack online for free. Whether you plan on gambling in a land-based casino or an online casino, playing online blackjack for free is a good idea for beginners. Free online blackjack allows you to learn the rules and master basic blackjack strategies. When it’s time to play blackjack for real money, you’ll be able to play optimal blackjack.

The best online casinos allow account owners to practice blackjack using their software. US blackjack players can practice online blackjack for free at Bovada Casino, Slots.lv, or Ignition Casino. International blackjack players can play online blackjack for free at BetOnline Casino, 888 Casino, or Betway Casino.

Playing Blackjack Against Live Dealer

Playing for real money with a live dealer is the best way to bet on blackjack online. Blackjack with a live dealer gives a player the convenience and privacy of traditional online blackjack while streaming live hands of blackjack dealt by real-life blackjack dealers in real time. Live dealer blackjack is the best of both worlds, including the ability to count cards, because live blackjack is dealt from a shoe. Players can see the hand dealt from several camera angles, but be prepared to make decisions like you would in a brick-and-mortar casino, because other blackjack players will be seated at the table. Wagers tend to range between $5 and $5000 a hand.

Choosing Reputable Online Casino to Play Blackjack

Poker Hand Guide

Now that you have an overview of the many options available to online blackjack players, you may want advice on choosing a reputable online casino in which to play blackjack. Legitimate online casinos for blackjack exist in the US, UK, and international gaming markets, but you’ll need to do your due diligence. Learn how to pick a trusted casino to play blackjack by researching a site’s gaming license, software providers, online reputation, and third-party auditing to assure fairness.

Third-party auditors like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and Technical Systems Testing (TST) are a few of the most respected auditing firms or watchdog organizations. The UK Gambling Commission is one of the most respected regulatory agencies, while regulators in Gibraltar, Malta, Kahnawake (Canada), Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Costa Rica, Panama, Alderney, and the Isle of Man also license online casinos. NetEnt, RealTime Gaming (RTG), Rival, Microgaming, and 888 are popular software providers you’ll encounter.

Blackjack Online Casino: How to Play

Online blackjack can be fun and profitable if you know where to play, which variants to choose, and optimal blackjack strategy. Once you learn the online casino blackjack play rules and basic strategies, you’ll have the hard part down. Learning how to play at a blackjack online casino is easy. Simply follow the online blackjack casino signup guide below to learn how to play at an online blackjack casino.

Guide to Playing Online Blackjack

Step 1 – Enter the Online Casino: Sign in to your online casino account, or register if you have no account. Fund your account with Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, or several other deposit methods.

Step 1 – Choose Blackjack Game: Casino sites have online, mobile, and live dealer blackjack versions. Once you choose which of the three you want to play, then click on the online blackjack variant you prefer.

Step 2 – Placing a Blackjack Bet: Make a bet using your keypad and mouse, or with the touchscreen on your mobile device. Vary the bet by clicking on the virtual chip stacks, which usually come in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $50, and $100.

Step 3 – Blackjack Strategy and Tips: Once blackjack hands begin, use a combination of basic strategy, money management, and card counting to achieve optimal results. Blackjack is a game of skill, so study and practice improve your results when playing online blackjack.

Step 4 – Collect Blackjack Winnings: Once you win, visit the Cashier page to make a withdrawal of your blackjack winnings. The best online casinos provide several payout options, including bitcoin, web wallet, courier check, bank wire transfer.

Step 5 – Study Basic Strategy: Remember, anytime you play a new variant of blackjack, you need to study the blackjack online table rules for that version of the game. Refer back to basic strategy charts if you forget which decisions to make while playing online blackjack.

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History of Blackjack

Blackjack Hand Guide

The history of blackjack spans centuries, as the game was created in either Spain or France during the Renaissance. Blackjack is at least 400 years old, because Miguel de Cervantes mentioned the game “veintiuna” (twenty-one) in Novelas ejemplares, a novel first printed in 1613. The game gained the name “blackjack” when it came to the New World, as American casinos paid out a 10-to-1 when a player received the ace of spade and a “black jack” — which was either a jack of spades or a jack of clubs.

Poker Hand Guide Sheet

The first attempt to define blackjack basic strategy was in 1956, when the Journal of the American Statistical Association published the article “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack”. This inspired Edward O. Thorp to write the first book on basic strategy and card counting, “Beat the Dealer”, in 1963. Since then, the science of card counting has been refined by waves of blackjack authors, who revolutionized the playing of blackjack for real money in casinos by giving blackjack gamblers a theoretical advantage.