Blackjack is one of the most popular and beloved casino games by far. The game has been immortalized in hit films such as The Hangover, Casino Royale and Ocean’s Eleven, and continues to be the game of choice for seasoned players and first-timers alike. People tend to be drawn to the relatively simple premise of the game; simply beat the house by being dealt a hand of cards closest to the number 21 as possible. The game is also a quick one as well as a very simple one to grasp, offering a potentially massive turnaround due to the length of a single game often lasting little more than a few seconds. The game is generally associated with high energy, adrenaline and of course, glamour, making it a particularly popular option for high rollers and adrenaline junkies.
While the premise may seem breathtakingly simple as first glance, there is actually a lot of nuance behind a game of blackjack, and any serious player comes to the card table prepared with a proper strategy. Play the game enough times and you’ll be able to pick up a few tricks to give you that extra edge you’ll need to beat the house.
Although some people may not realise it, even the realm of online blackjack gaming requires a proper strategy, as the exact same rules apply, and the exact same tricks you would use in physical blackjack are enough to bag you that jackpot. If you’re a first timer, the idea of having an expert blackjack strategy might seem a little daunting. Luckily, we’ve put together some simple tips and tricks to get you started. Here’s your guide to having a blackjack strategy for online casino gaming.
Pick the Right Place
The first step to winning is picking the right battleground. If you want to know how to win real money at blackjack, the most important first step is picking the right casino, and the right game. The first part of the job is picking the right casino, and this means picking an online casino which has a good reputation and plenty of solid user reviews.
You’ll want somewhere which is known to have given high payouts to winners in the past and has a similar win ratio to what you might find in a land-based casino. The right information is out there and not difficult to find, just consult the right places.
Know What You’re Up Against
Before you start playing, you might need to know that there is more than just one type of blackjack game, and different games offer completely varied odds, advantages, rules and even the number of cards (which in turn will massively impact on your odds of winning), so make sure to pick the right place. You might get two or three-deck blackjack which means double or triple the number of cards in your online blackjack game, which you’ll need to think about, especially if you’re going for a particular counting strategy.
There are also lots of different rules you need to be aware of which apply to every different kind of game. Does the dealer land on a hard 17 or a soft 17? Is re-splitting of aces allowed? Can you surrender it things aren’t going your way? All of these are crucial to any strategy you decide to stick with, and you can find out what rules apply to your game by checking the rules or FAQ page of your online casino.
Know Your Odds
You need to know what your odds are of actually winning, and while this knowledge encompasses a lot of what we’ve already covered, there are some other things to consider if you’re playing online blackjack for the first time. Remember that even online, you might be playing with other players, which will, of course, affect your odds of getting certain card combinations.
You should also see if you can find out what the house edge is on the casino site that you’re using (this usually ranges from between 0 to 1%, so the impact is actually pretty minimal). Your odds may also be affected depending on whether you’re opting for live dealer blackjack with an actual person, or purely online blackjack against a computer. These should all factor into your strategy to help you calculate the best odds possible.
What to Avoid
As with all strategies in life, there’s plenty of big no-nos you should always try to avoid if you want a good shot at winning big. Avoid not coming to the table with a solid exit strategy in place first of all, as you’ll want to be able to cash out when the winning is good, and flee if things aren’t going your way. Avoid over-betting, and avoid any game with a small edge for you and small payouts for winning. Remember these, bring along your solid strategy, and you’ll have the time of your life.
