BLACKJACK STRATEGY

Online casino blackjack can be played with 1 to 8 standard decks of cards. Cards of rank 2 to 10 consist of their face value and face cards are 10 points each. The Aces can be either 1 or 11 points. A blackjack consists of an Ace with a 10 value card. A winning blackjack hand pays 3 to 2. If the player and dealer have a blackjack it is called a push. Aside from this the player with the highest hand wins. i.e. 21 or near but not exceeding 21. If either the player or dealer’s hand exceeds 21 it is called a bust.

The most important element of playing a blackjack game is to know the basic rules and blackjack strategy. To use the basic strategy look up your hand and that of the dealer’s and check if it is a hard hand, soft hand or a hand that can be split. The most essential rules involves the number of decks, if the dealer hits or stands on a soft hand or soft 17, and if you can split your cards to increase your chances of winning.

A game of online blackjack begins when each player places his bet and then the dealer deals the player and himself two cards. The player’s cards are usually dealt face up. The dealer’s cards are dealt face up and the face down. A person with a blackjack is paid off immediately; else the player with the highest total of cards (i.e. 21 or close) wins the bet and the game starts again. If it ends in a tie the bets are pushed back and the game restarts.

If the dealer has an ace as the face up card, the players can insure their game against a possible blackjack. The insurance bet in online blackjack pays 2 to1. After the player takes insurance the dealer will check his face down or hole card. The best way in memorizing the basic strategy of blackjack is to notice the patterns and understand the game well.

Most online casinos offer free online blackjack games for players to practice first before moving on to the real money version. The following are the most important options in playing online blackjack:

Hit - if a players wishes to be dealt another card to increase the total of his hand, he may choose the HIT option available.

Stand - if the player does not need any more cards; that is if he is satisfied with the total value of his hand,

Double - a player may double his bet and request for a single card.

Split - the player may split the first two cards he receives if it is a pair and he can bet on each hand separately.

Surrender - if the player is about to lose he is allowed to surrender his game and forfeit half his bet.