Online blackjack is exciting because it gives you the chance to win big prizes without having to leave your house. But playing online blackjack is also very risky — and some sites are known for taking advantage of their players.
Blackjack is a card game where two or more players compete against each other at a table using cards. Each player receives two cards face down and another two cards face up. The players then bet on whether they want to take additional cards (known as hitting) or stand on their initial hand. If both hands contain cards that exceed 21 points, then the dealer plays his or her hand according to the rules. These games are played for cash and/or prizes.
The Goal of Blackjack
All the major variations of blackjack have one thing in common: they all involve trying to achieve a particular goal, which varies from site to site. Some of these goals include winning as much money as possible, getting the most points, avoiding busting, reaching high scores, etc.
The objective of the game is to get closer to 21 than the house’s 22. You can either do this by achieving a positive balance or running out of money. To beat the dealer, you must have an Ace with a value of 10 or 11 and be able to obtain a total point count of 17 or less. When making your decisions on how to proceed, make sure you consider the following factors:
Your Total Hand Value (Hit-Stay)
This refers to the sum of your own hand and the dealer’s. The higher the hand value, the better the hand for you.
Your Own Cards
Pay close attention to the number of cards in your hand. If you don’t have any cards worth 16 or more, you should hit (take another card).
The Dealer’s Card(s)
If the dealer has an ace or 2 through 9 show in the hole, he will probably bust. However, if the dealer shows a 10 or 11, you may want to stay. If there are only two cards in the hole that could add up to 15 or less, you should definitely hit, as the odds are greater than the dealer won’t bust.
Your Bet Amount
The amount you wager determines the odds of success. The lower the bet, the better your chances; however, you lose more money by betting little or nothing. The maximum bet allowed in most casinos ranges between $5 and $500 per hand.
Online Blackjack Rules
When it comes to playing online blackjack, there are three basic strategies available to use: Hit-Stay, Split-Fold, and Double Down. Let’s explore them with help from our handy chart of the various options!
Strategy 1: Hit-Stay
This strategy makes sense when you know for certain that the dealer’s first two cards are going to be low. For example, if you’re dealt a 2 and 4 (a hand worth 23), you’ll usually stay even after a second draw. The reason is that you still have 12 points left to go before 21, so you don’t need to risk losing the hand.
If you see a good hand and feel confident about your decision, then let it ride. After all, you already put some money into the pot and if you win, you profit! Also, if the dealer holds an ace, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, or 9, she will likely bust early and therefore not allow you to benefit from the hand.
Strategy 2: Split-Fold
If you’re holding an ace, king, queen, or jack — but no tens or face cards — you should split the difference and fold. As mentioned earlier, when you hold an A-K or Q-J, you’re actually ahead since you still have 16 points left to go. Therefore, it would be better to play it safe and assume that the dealer isn’t going to bust.
However, if you’re holding an ace and are expecting to find at least one ten in the deck, you should immediately take half of what the dealer pays for each card you receive. After all, you now have 24 points remaining. The dealer’s next card will also be worth half of her initial payout, so your total hand count will now rise to 27.
This means that the dealer will have to pay 50 cents per card instead of 100 cents. So fold or hit depending on whether or not the dealer has a pair of eights showing in the hole.
Strategy 3: Double Down
If you hold a low card in the range of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and the dealer holds a seven, eight, nine, or ten, you can double down. This is because you’ll get paid twice. You’ve invested one set of chips in the original round and added another chip to your investment during this second round. So, basically, you’re doubling your money.
Conclusion
You should always use strategies that keep you winning no matter what the circumstances. If you’re worried about losing, just remember that you can afford to lose small amounts every now and again — but you cannot possibly afford to lose large sums regularly. Most people who play poker know that if they sit down with enough money in front of them, they’ll be tempted to throw caution to the wind. Unfortunately, when they are feeling cocky and confident, they tend to double down and pay for it later.
So before you start playing, make sure you’re fully prepared to accept whatever outcome occurs. As long as you learn to control your emotions, you’ll enjoy many more successful rounds of blackjack once you’ve mastered the basics of the game. Good luck!