How to play Blackjack online
One of the most popular casino card games in the world, Blackjack (sometimes known as Twenty-one or Pontoon, from the best score one can achieve with their cards in the game), is also incredibly popular on the internet, with thousands of people rumoured to play Blackjack online each day. In this guide I will help those new or unsure of the game of Blackjack; explaining the basic rules and strategies to use when you play Blackjack online, as well as some great hints and tips to make sure your online Blackjack experience is as successful and enjoyable as possible!
The Basics
Simply put, when you play Blackjack online, the hand that has the highest total wins, as long as it does not total over 21. If a hand goes over the 21 limit it is called a BUST, and the game is over.
The cards 2 up to 10 are worth the numbers stated on them, with the king, queen and jack card worth 10. The value of the ace card is 11, but if this causes the player to bust the ace is worth only one.
When the dealer and the player achieve the same point value in their hands, it is called a “push”, and neither the dealer nor player will win that hand. Payouts for winning bets are usually at the odds of 1:1, and the player who ties with the dealer will receive back their original bet. Bets are normally paid out at the odds of 1:1. Players who push (tie) with the dealer receive their original bet back.
The best hand in the game is the two card hand totalling 21, comprising of an ace plus any single card to the value of 10. This is named a “Blackjack”.
Typically when you play Blackjack online, the payout to players winning with a “Blackjack” is 6/4, so if you bet £100, you would get £250 returned, giving you £150 profit on that bet!
Blackjack Commands
The basic commands when you play Blackjack online are as follows:
HIT – To take another card.
STAND – To take no more cards. This can also be referred to as STICK or STAY.
DOUBLE DOWN – To increase your original bet to a maximum of double, and take one more card. This is effective if you draw a Jack, Queen, King or Ace, and feel you may draw another 10 value card.
SPLIT – To double your bet and have each of the cards to be the first in a new hand. This is only available when both of the cards are the same rank.
SURRENDER – By surrendering, you forfeit half of your bet and give up your hand.
Tips and Tricks
Be sure to advantage of online casino bonuses which are not available in offline casinos when you play Blackjack online.
If your hand totals to below 17, with the dealers hand anything above an 8, take a hit as the odds are more likely that the dealers hand will bust.
If your hand is above a total of 12, stand when the dealer”s card is showing a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
