Introduction To Blackjack
There are many types of gambling games which can be usually played inside an actual casino. These games can be played by using poker chips, cards or combination of both. Have you ever heard or played the game called blackjack? If your answer to the question is no, then here’s a quick introduction to the game.
Blackjack, or also known as 21, is considered as one of the most played card games either in an actual casino or online. In this type of game, two players, where one is a dealer, will compare the cards they have on hand. Players can play against the dealer but never against each other.
The main objective of the game is to beat the dealer by the following methods:
- Score 21 points on the player’s first two cards without a dealer blackjack
- Score higher points than the dealer without exceeding 21 points
- Have the dealer draw cards until he/she exceeds 21 points
How To Play Blackjack
Blackjack is a game that uses a deck of cards. Each card represent a certain value that if you use it well, it will help you come out victorious. Below are the values of each card:
- Those cards that have numerical equivalents between numbers 1 to 10 represent the actual value of the face meaning if the card is 10, the value of it is 10 points.
- Cards that have faces, namely the King, Queen and the Jack have value equivalent to 10 points.
- There’s a special case wherein the card with the “A” in it, also called as the Ace card has two values, either 1 or 11 points.
The use of the Ace card is tricky but very advantageous especially if you don’t want to exceed 21 points. This method allows the player to choose which value will be given to that Ace card to avoid exceeding the needed points. An example of this scenario is this: you have 9 points on hand and you’ve been dealt an Ace by the dealer. Give that Ace the value of 11 points and you are already a winner. Remember the rule: getting closest to 21 points without getting beyond it.
Blackjack Rules
Playing online blackjack is basically the same when playing it inside an actual casino. The rules and methods are pretty much the same. The only difference is that, playing online blackjack requires a stable Internet connection and an account in a website or web-based application that offers online blackjack. To begin with, you need to login into your account. This is usually the standard operating procedure (SOP) for such games because it involves dealing with cards and money. The next thing you need to do is to determine how much money you are willing to bet. Depending on the websites you are playing at, the betting option usually ranges around $1 to about $100. Once you’ve chosen the amount, click the “Deal” button and you’re ready to go.
Beginning of the Game
The online dealer will deal you your cards to begin the actual game. Once dealt, you will be given the option to either choose “Hit”, “Stand” or “Double Down”. On an occasion when you’ve been dealt with a pair, you can keep the pair or you can use the option to “Split” the pair. Once you have the cards on hand, the software will now deal your cards and of the dealer’s. When this action is completed, the software will now determine the outcome of the actual game. When you win the game, you will be paid with the money placed by other players and if you lose, your bet will be taken. That simple. If you want to play again, you can choose the “Re-Bet” option which allows you to place another bet. You can either place the same bet or manually raise a higher bet especially if you are good at winning in these types of card games.
While playing online Blackjack should be an easy thing to do especially to veteran players, it’s also a good practice to regularly click the “Help” button once in a while. This will provide players the basic information about the rules and regulations when playing the game itself. The help “Help” button is added to every playing site for one reason: to help players understand the game and its rules better so that they will get a better chance of winning. Also, the “Help” button provides useful tips and strategies which players can employ to gain a better chance at winning each and every the game they play in.
Claiming your reward
While winning in online Blackjack games is fun, getting your prize money is another thing. There is no unified withdrawing and depositing system that allows safe and secured withdrawal of your winnings. To make things more problematic, some countries don’t even have access to certain payment options probably due to lack of enough technology in their countries. So, if you want to secure your winnings, you must go to the “Cashier” page of the website you are playing at to check if there is an available payment option you can use. Once done, make sure that you have enough funds to be able to place bets depending on your desire. And if ever you encounter problems with withdrawing your winnings, the “Help” button also provides a walk-through on how to deposit and withdraw funds.
Blackjack Strategy
Your odds of winning in playing blackjack depend because the odds aren’t always in your favor. However, your odds don’t depend on pure luck. It depends on your performance with your cards. It’s important that players are always aware of the high odds of being dealt a blackjack or worse, hitting a 10. It’s also critical for players to know and understand how a casino, regardless if it’s an online or an actual one, gets their odds over players.
Always keep in mind that the house always has the advantage precisely because the players are the one who are first to draw cards from the dealer. The moment a player busts, he/she automatically loses the game, eventually the bet. And even if the dealer eventually busts in the next round, that wouldn’t have any effect on the outcome of the specific game. In any given game, both the dealer and players have a 28% probability of busting out and 8% of the time when both hands bust and the dealer
eventually wins the game.
There are many strategies you can use for you to be able to win a game of blackjack. One of the famous and most commonly-used strategies recommended by blackjack veterans is the one they call, 4-Deck to 8-Deck strategy. In this strategy, you must look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer’s up card along the top. Either way, the Ace card always stands for A.
Below are a few tips even casino owners don’t want gamers to know:
- Always hit a soft/hard when you have 17 points or greater. Also, split Aces and 8s.
- Never split 5s and 10s.
- Never believe that you’re on a winning streak.
- Forget about the myth. There’s no such a thing as “hot” or “cold” table. Believing so will distract you.
- Don’t be pressured.
- Never play blackjack when drunk or drinking.
Blackjack Terms To Know
These are the usual terms being used when playing online blackjack:
- Hit – ask another card. However, if that card results to the player exceeding 21 points, the player loses via a bust.
- Stand – to stop asking for cards.
- DoubleDown – this move can be performed after seeing his/her cards on hand. By doing so, a player can place additional bet equal to the original bet he/she placed earlier on. Then, the player draws one more card. However, this move is only allowed on the first two cards.
- Split – this move is allowed when a player is dealt with two cards of identical ranks. The player can choose to play each of them separately and put up a bet for each of the cards
- Bust – having a card total that is over 21 points which automatically means losing the game.
Conclusion
Playing and winning in online blackjack games is fun especially if you are good at it. However, there are mountable risks not just in your money but also in your safety especially if you are playing at the wrong site. It’s highly advisable that players should understand the terms of reference for each website and have a strategy during the actual games.
FAQ
Are there other advantages aside from the basic strategy?
The key to gaining advantage when playing blackjack aside from employing the basic strategies is the ability and knowledge of players to count cards. That’s what makes blackjack winnable especially for professional players. They can count cards masterfully.
How is blackjack different in online casinos?
The first difference is the actual speed of the game. In an actual casino, the game is slow because it takes time to deal, hand cards and bet. In an online casino, the game is fast and comfortable because you only need to stay at one table unless it’s a multiplayer game. Another difference is that, in an online blackjack, you can limit everything from dealer’s winning percentage to your minimum bet. This works to your advantage because you can control your winnings.