Blackjack is a time old game that has been popular for a number of centuries and is still a popular game today. While the origins of the game are debated, it is believed that Blackjack has European origins, dating back to the 17th century when it was first played in French casinos under the name of ‘Vingt et Un’ – translation to 21 in English.
While the game has remained the same in general since the 17th century, there have been certain changes around some of the rules and the way the game is played, particularly since the digital revolution in which people can now easily play blackjack online from the comfort of their own home, or even while on the go.
With the addition of online blackjack, there have been many new introductions for the game, including a variety of bonuses that make the game even more enjoyable and rewarding for players. As competition has increased among online providers in recent years, first time online blackjack players have particularly benefited as sign up bonuses and no deposit gaming have become available to new customers.
Whether you’re a first timer or an experienced blackjack player, the game requires a certain amount of knowledge and strategy planning in order to get the best results, in which players need to keep developing their strategy with time, no matter how experienced they are. Below, we’ll take a look at tips on how to play blackjack to get the best possible outcome for your game.
Learn a basic strategy
Before we get to the more advanced tips for winning at blackjack, the most basic tip but one that is often taken for granted is to learn a basic strategy and to stick to it. All too often, players are keen to get stuck into the game and start taking risks before they have developed a baseline for playing. However, in order to develop a more advanced way of playing, you first need to master the basics and be able to stick to these until you’re confident that you’re ready to advance.
Some of the basic strategies to adopt include:
- Assume that every card you cannot see is a 10, as the odds are high that the card is in fact a 10 or higher.
- If you aren’t sure of how to play at first, seek out a basic strategy card chart that will teach you the value of each card and how to play them. These charts can easily be downloaded online and are also often given out for free at brick and mortar casinos. Alternatively, there are now many apps that teach you how to play blackjack in a fun and relaxed environment, without the pressures of a real-life game.
- Learn the correct cues for interacting with the dealer and remember that they are not allowed to take verbal cues from you. Some of the basic ones include scratching the table between you and your cards if you want the dealer to ‘hit your hand’ or deal another card. If you want to keep the cards you have and not receive any more, you just need to hold your hand perpendicular to the table and wave it from side to side with your palm down.
- When first starting the game, it’s advised that you always double your bet when your first two cards total 11, as well as splitting pairs of aces and 8’s as you are betting on getting a 10.
- It’s also advised that you never split 10 value cards or a pair of 5’s, as you have a good chance of getting a 20 when you’re hit.
Sign up to rewards and offers programs
As we discussed briefly above, the amount of competition between casino providers in the online space is rife, meaning that they’re always trying to find new ways to entice customers to sign up and to keep them loyal.
As a result, there’s often a number of highly generous bonuses and offers available for new and existing players to take advantage of. Many casinos award bonus points for how long you play rather than how much money you bet, meaning the more time you put into developing your strategy, the more you will be rewarded.
By not signing up to these bonuses, it could be like leaving money on the table.
Choose games with liberal playing rules
When you’re first starting out at playing online blackjack, it is advisable that you only play at tables with liberal playing rules. Examples of this include tables where a blackjack pays 3-2. You should try to avoid games where the payoff is 6 to 5 payoff or worse.
A common liberal rule is that the dealer stands on soft 17, and players can double down on any two cards. In addition, players can also double after pair splitting.
Overall, there are a variety of different blackjack games out there in the world, each with their own unique set way to play. This is especially true in the online space where so many more variants of virtual blackjack are available. However, by sticking to the above advice, players stand the best chance of developing a competent strategy that will have you winning big in no time.
