Tips for Understanding Online Blackjack

Blackjack is a fascinating card game that has achieved great popularity in casinos and, in more recent decades – online. The game is simple to play once you know the rules, and developing a strategy can help your chances of success. 

The origin of the game blackjack is often disputed, but it is likely to have been derived from other French or Italian card games. French casinos began to offer the game, then known as Ving et Un, in casinos during the 1700s; it was even played in the French Royal Court at the time of King Louis XV’s reign. 

Over the centuries, travelers have introduced blackjack to new players around the world; it has now become one of the top-played table games in both land-based casinos and online casino sites. 

If you are completely new to the game or would like to better your understanding of it, here are some useful tips for getting to know and enjoy blackjack online:

Find good online blackjack sites

Firstly, before you play, it is important to take a bit of time to find online casinos with a good offering of blackjack games. Some sites cater to all different types of players with a variety of game variants that include both traditional formats and newer, more recently developed variants. 

Picking the right site can give you great exposure to a diverse range of games and allow you to deepen your understanding of each variant with ease. The site also offers good welcome bonuses and promotional offers as an incentive for new players to sign up; if utilizing these, be sure to check out the wagering requirements. Deposit and no-deposit bonuses are popular offers on many sites.

Learn card rankings

If you play poker, you may already be aware of card rankings. However, card rankings in blackjack work differently. In blackjack, aces are worth even one or eleven, and queens, kings, jacks, and tens are all worth ten. You then have cards one through nine worth their face numerical value. 

Learning the card rankings is important as it allows you to plan what your next move is going to be. This is a basic first step in learning to play the game; the more games you play, the easier it will become to memorize the rankings.

Know which variant you are playing

Next, when playing blackjack online, you will likely be exposed to a wider variety of blackjack variants than you might find at your local casino venue. Different tables have different rules; for example, some may require the dealer to hit a soft 17, which might not work in your favor.

Some tables may allow you to give up a less favorable hand against the dealer’s strong-up card, which can benefit you when things worsen. Before hitting play on a new casino game, always read through the game description and know the rules of the variant you are playing. 

This way, you know what to expect and can tailor your usual blackjack strategy to fit the game you are entering into.

Do not take an insurance bet

Another helpful tip that some players swear by is to avoid ever taking the insurance bet. On some tables, you may be offered the insurance bet if the dealer shows an ace card. The benefit is that this bet is offset against your losses if the dealer manages to make blackjack.

However, this deal isn’t always as great as it sounds when you consider the odds of the dealer making blackjack against the amount you are paying and the return the insurance provides.

Use your best judgment when considering whether to take the insurance bet in online blackjack. It is a tempting offer, but the chances of it paying off may be better than they sound. 

Choose carefully when splitting hands

In blackjack, you are given the opportunity to split your hand to make multiple card hands. There are certain rules you should follow to give yourself the best chances of success.

For example, always split aces because they offer good flexibility, and always split aces, and splitting eights is a good idea, too. Never split two tens because these as a pair give you good odds of winning.

Avoid distractions when playing

Lastly, one important but underrated tip is avoiding distractions when playing online blackjack. It might be tempting to play with the television in the background or open other tabs, such as your social media feeds. 

However, distractions can impair judgment and make you less invested in the game’s outcome.