Online blackjack is a game enjoyed by millions of players on a daily basis. Not only is blackjack extremely fun, but its fast-paced nature is ideal for those who might not have a great deal of time to become involved in more strategic platforms.
While it is always possible to earn a supplemental income, others enjoy free online blackjack for nothing more than a bit of fun. Still, it is important to appreciate the basics of this game. Let us examine how to play blackjack as well as some other important metrics.
A Brief History of Blackjack
The origins of blackjack games can be traced as far back as the 18th century. It was first mentioned in the famous novel Don Quixote. At the time, blackjack was referred to as ‘Vingt-et-un’; the literal French phrase for 21. Similar to other card-based games, blackjack was mainly confined to royalty during these times. It is thought that French colonists introduced blackjack to the American colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Getting Started with Online Blackjack – Basic Rules
Those who wish to play blackjack online will need to appreciate the basic rules. This is even more important when competing for real money jackpots. The most basic blackjack strategy is to try and achieve a hand that totals at or below 21 points.
For instance, cards from 2 to 10 are placed at face value. Royals (jacks, queens, and kings) are worth 10 points. Aces are valued at 11 points if the total score with the other cards does not exceed 21. They will otherwise be assigned a single point.
In terms of gameplay, two face-up cards are provided to the player as well as the dealer. The player then chooses to “stand” (keep the existing cards) or to “hit” (to ask for another card). The main goal when playing blackjack online is to come as close to obtaining 21 points as possible without exceeding this threshold.
The Types of Online Blackjack
Interestingly, there are five different versions of online blackjack. While all blackjack games are the same in the fact that scoring as close to 21 is the main intention, there are some subtle differences. For the sake of brevity, we will look at the two most common online blackjack games.
American blackjack is unique in the fact that the dealer will receive his or her cards before the player is allowed to take any type of action. European blackjack games instead allow the player to take a specific action before the dealer receives any cards.
Traditional Blackjack
American blackjack games are sometimes referred to as “traditional” or “classic” online blackjack. Once again, the rules are straightforward and center around the dealer receiving cards before the player can take any type of action. Traditional online blackjack tends to be preferred by novices.
Live Dealer Blackjack
The main principle behind live interfaces is to interact with another human being when playing online blackjack. Many who choose to wager real money prefer these versions, as they tend to be more engaging. However, it should still be mentioned that a reliable Internet connection will be required.
Mobile Blackjack
Many individuals wish to play blackjack while away from home or the office. In this case, online platforms could represent the ideal solution. Not only are there countless free blackjack games to enjoy, but online casinos have developed some extremely entertaining platforms. Thankfully, it is often possible to download free versions before opening up a paid account. This is a great way to appreciate what the provider has in store.
Free Online Blackjack
Once again, others simply wish to play blackjack for free. A plethora of free blackjack games is available within seconds. Some free blackjack platforms may require a one-time download while others can be played via online streaming portals. The associated strategies are just the same when compared to paid versions. Still, it is wise to read online blackjack reviews in advance.
Tips on How to Win
Learning how to play blackjack online will require time and patience. Of course, there are also some sure-fire tips and tricks to employ at an early stage. It will then be much easier to develop a personalized blackjack strategy that produces tangible results.
Know the Blackjack Table
Online blackjack tables almost always mimic the physical tables found at brick-and-mortar casinos. It is therefore important to become familiar with their basic layout. In most cases, a dealing shoe is found to the left, and a discard area is located to the right of the player. Wagering chips are placed at the top of the table and there are also individual spaces where the digital cards will be displayed.
However, online blackjack portals may use a variety of unique branded designs. This is why it is important to learn where all of the essential elements are located in advance.
Understand What are Hard and Soft Hands
Learning how to play also involves knowing the difference between “hard” and “soft” hands. A soft online blackjack hand occurs when one of the cards is an ace that can be valued at either 11 or 1. In this case, the chances of busting are relatively low. Soft hands provide players with a good deal of flexibility.
Hard hands are defined as those that may cause a player to bust in the event that an additional card is chosen. For example, perhaps the player was dealt a 10 and a 6 (known as a “hard” 16). In this case, it is much more likely that another dealt card will cause the hand to exceed 21 points. Hard blackjack hands can be tricky, so it may be better for a player to stand as opposed to hit.
Know What Rules Work to Your Advantage
One important blackjack rule involves games that use fewer decks. In this case, the house edge will be lowered. However, most of the best online platforms use a minimum of two decks (sometimes as many as eight). In terms of beginners, it is best to select a provider that offers fewer virtual decks.
Another rule involves doubling down (doubling a bet) in the middle of a hand. This is normally a wise strategy when a soft hand is present. Although doubling down will not decrease the house edge, it will dramatically increase the potential winnings of a player.
Don’t Spend Money on the “Insurance”
Blackjack insurance is essentially a side bet which predicts that the dealer will obtain a blackjack (21 points). This type of wager assumes that the dealer has a ten in his or her hand. Players who have a strong hand may also choose to adopt this strategy. However, such thinking is often flawed.
The main takeaway point here is that players feel that they can predict when a ten is imminent. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. An additional problem can arise in the event that an insurance bet is placed and the player subsequently receives two tens. The chances of the dealer holding a third ten are minuscule at best. So, it is wise to avoid spending money on an insurance bet.
Free vs. Real Money Blackjack
Why would one choose free blackjack games as opposed to paid platforms? There are several advantages associated with free blackjack. For instance, this is a great way to learn the basics before wagering any funds. Free blackjack portals can also be used to determine if the software is free from bugs and errors.
Others may choose paid online blackjack in order to earn a side hustle. This will normally occur after playing blackjack for free over time. In other words, those who are experienced will be more likely to obtain a winning hand.
Conclusion
Whether playing free online blackjack or enjoying a paid platform, this game is a great deal of fun. Furthermore, online blackjack hands will require very little time to complete. There are still numerous strategies and intricacies to appreciate and these will require time to learn. The good news is that there are plenty of online blackjack platforms to choose from and each of these offers its own unique features. Feel free to perform more research!