Online blackjack is a game where skill matters. That’s why it’s important to have a few strategies up your sleeve to incorporate during gameplay. One of the best strategies you can adopt is to leave the superstition behind and trust the numbers. On this page, we look at the best tips and tactics to help you with how to win online blackjack.
Jump To
The Ultimate Game Of Strategy: Online Blackjack
Online blackjack is a game based on mathematical probability, so you need to at least know the basic strategy before you hit those tables. Fail to follow the basics, and you’re throwing money away and second-guessing the outcome. In other words, you’re playing right into the house’s hands.
With a basic strategy for online blackjack, you’ll learn when to hit, stand, double down and split – you’ll also boost your winning chances.
A Basic Strategy For Online Blackjack Players
While the cards for each hand are randomly drawn and unpredictable, you can attempt to calculate the outcome.
The basic online blackjack strategy draws from the results from long lists of computer simulations to help you figure out what to do in every possible situation, based both on the dealer’s up-turned cards and the cards you are dealt.
The American roulette variant has a double zero and a house edge of 5.4%, while the European version has just one zero and a 2.7% house edge. In a traditional blackjack six-deck game, the basic strategy reduces that house edge to a meagre 0.5%.
The fewer the decks in the game, the better your odds, with the dealer having to stand on 17 in a single deck game, giving you the edge.
Below, we’ve provided a few tips to help you boost your online blackjack winning chances.
One of the best things about playing blackjack online is the choice of variants. When you pick an online blackjack game to play, look at the table. There’s a lot of information on there that could help you make a winning decision.
For example, a table that pays blackjack at 3:2 will make you more money than a version that pays just 6:5.
What’s more, a table that necessitates a dealer hitting on a soft 17 makes the casino more money, and not a whole lot for you. If there’s the choice to play an online blackjack game where you surrender a poor hand against the dealer’s more powerful card up, it’s going to be better for you in the long run.
Take time to understand a table’s rules (whether you’re playing against the RNG or a Live Dealer) and the variant of the game. One way to do this is to try the games for free in demo mode first before you wager real money.
Some online blackjack tables offer an insurance bet if the dealer’s card shows an ace. The idea of insurance is to offset potential losses if the dealer gets blackjack.
It sounds like a good idea, but it really isn’t in the long run. The odds of the dealer making blackjack simply don’t justify the price you pay or the return from insurance.
This is one of the most basic tips for blackjack players wanting to win. The idea is to get more money on the table when you think the dealer is weak, and you can add more chips. One of the easiest ways to do this is to split when you’re holding a pair.
Beginner players are often tempted to split tens in an effort to either have two high finishing hands or, ultimately, aim for blackjack. It’s possible, but the basic strategy suggests never splitting your tens.
Even if the dealer has a weak card, don’t do it. You already have a strong hand adding up to 20, so don’t risk more money just to potentially lose it if the dealer gets lucky.
Online Blackjack Strategies in Action
Tips To Help You Win Online Blackjack More Often
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Use the rules sheet | There is a myriad of online blackjack variants out there. But they’re all based on the same core gameplay. Online, the rules are always available at the table you choose, so don’t be shy to use them. |
| Choose a 3:2 payout | Different online casinos have different payout policies, and not all of them work in your favour. Read the game’s payout table before you play and opt for games with a 3:2 payout. |
| Count the cards | While frowned upon by land-based casinos, when you’re playing online, you can keep note of the cards that have been dealt. This is a good way to back up the basic strategy, giving you the chance to know the odds of getting the cards you need. |
| The number of decks | More decks equals more low-value cards. That means it’s less likely that higher-value cards will be dealt together. |
| Set a budget and stick to it | Set both losing and winning limits before you start playing. As soon as you hit one of those limits, stop playing. |
| Side bets | The RTP of online blackjack doesn’t apply to side bets. They’re fun, but the odds are not in your favour. |
| Look for 6-8 deck games | Four-deck games are a rarity, so choose a 6-8 deck game that lets you stand on soft 17, giving you a better advantage. |
Take Time To Practice
Before you play online blackjack for real money, practice a number of hands and get used to the speed and strategies of the game. That way, you can eliminate surprises when you start wagering for real. You can also make use of online casino bonuses to hone your blackjack skills with bonus funds before dipping into your gambling budget. Most importantly, stick to your budget and play responsibly.
FAQ
Once you know the basic strategy inside out, learn card counting and various other systems that can give you the edge over the casino.
If you’re playing online blackjack with an automatic dealer, each deal is fresh, and there’s no relation to any previous hands. Any hot or cold streaks are pure luck. Don’t play based on guesses, but rather stick to the strategy you started with.
Yes, this is a big advantage of playing online! Feel free to have your strategy guides right in front of you.
It depends on what you want from a game. If you’re aiming for expert player, take as much time as you need to get your strategy watertight.
It really depends on the casino and the variant of the game. Check for this rule before you join a game as it may just affect your strategy.
The dealer must hit when their hand totals less than 17. Some casinos stipulate that the dealer should hit if they have a soft 17.
It’s typically 3:2, but some casinos offer 6:5, which you want to avoid.
It depends on the number of decks, the table rules and whether or not you’re using the basic strategy. On the upside, blackjack has the best odds of winning out of other casino games.
