Blackjack is a true classic among card games. It has popularity in physical casinos and online gambling establishments. The blackjack game has very simple rules. For example, poker is significantly more complex to master.
Blackjack: Rules, Strategies, and Online Play
Simplicity is one of the key factors behind the popularity of this card game. A person who has never played blackjack might need only 30 minutes to learn the rules and nuances of the game.
Of course, simply understanding the rules and starting to play is the path of someone who does not have serious ambitions in blackjack. Players who wish to achieve big success in this field study numerous strategies, test them, and develop their own tools to improve their level of play.
Today, this game is highly accessible. Blackjack online allows you to play it practically anywhere. You don’t even need to buy a deck of cards! All that is required is a computer with an internet connection. If the casino has a mobile app, a tablet or smartphone will also suffice.
In this article, we will look at the main features of the game, the options of blackjack, and a few simple strategies that will be easy to learn.
The Basics and Rules of Blackjack
As mentioned above, learning to play the Blackjack game is not a difficult task at all. By simply reading this tutorial, you’ll be ready to play your first round of blackjack.
The goal of the player is to collect 21 points. If none of the participants manage to do this, the one who has a total points closest to 21 wins. A situation where a player scores more than 21 points is called a bust. This is an automatic loss.
The Blackjack game starts with the player placing a bet. They choose the amount they will win or lose based on the outcome of the round. After this, the dealer gives two cards to the player and takes two cards for themselves. Each card provides a certain number of points (we’ll discuss this in more detail below). So, at the start of the game, the player already has a certain number of points. Their further actions may be as follows.
- Hit.
The player takes an additional card. - Stand.
The player refuses to take another card. - Double Down.
The player doubles the size of the initial bet. In this case, they cannot take more than one additional card. Players make this move when they are confident in the strength of their hand. - Split.
This option is available to the player if they have two cards of the same rank. They can split them into two separate hands. This means they can form two combinations during one round.
Keep in mind that if the player has more than 21 points, they automatically lose. If they have less than 21 points, the points are tallied in the end. Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value. Cards from Jack to King are worth 10 points.
The Ace can be worth 1 point or 11 points. The standard point value is 11. If the Ace causes a bust, its value is reduced to 1 point.
Important! The dealer cannot play as they want. Casinos give an advantage to the player in this regard. The dealer cannot have fewer than 16 points. They stop drawing cards when they reach 17 points or more. So, the dealer has a much higher chance of busting.
How to Play Blackjack Online
Modern technologies allow you to play blackjack online. All you need is to find a good online casino and register. The key is to play at a licensed gambling establishment to protect yourself from fraud. Information about the license is usually available on the website. If it’s not, you can ask customer support.
The special feature of playing online is its accessibility from practically any location. You won’t be able to play only where there’s no good internet connection. Also, the advantage of playing blackjack online game for many players is that there’s no need to interact with other people. Introverts, in particular, like this feature.
On the other hand, this is also a disadvantage. The entire gameplay is hidden behind algorithms. There’s no real dealer (unless it’s a live casino), no physical cards. You must just trust the casino.
How to Start Playing Online Blackjack
First, go through the registration process. It usually takes no more than a few minutes. Then, enter your login and password and sign in to your account.
Check the list of payment methods supported by the casino. Make sure it includes an option that suits you. Also, look at the types of blackjack available on the website. We’ll talk about blackjack variations below.
Types of Online Blackjack Games
The blackjack game gained popularity simultaneously in different countries and cities, and even on different continents. It led to the emergence of several options of the game. We will speak about a few popular ones. The classic blackjack option has already been discussed above.
The distinctive feature of this version is that the player receives two hands. They have the option to switch cards between their hands. So, they can increase their chances of success. Players can raise their bet at any point during the round.
This is the next step in the evolution of the blackjack switch. In this case, the player can play with five hands at once. Yes, this increases the chances of success. But, it also makes the game more complex. The strategies must be applied simultaneously to five card combinations. If you want to play a blackjack online game, you’ll find that this variation is hard to find on the internet. Most casinos prefer the classic version of the card game.
This version allows you to experience the atmosphere of a real casino. You’ll play with a real dealer who uses real cards. This blackjack variant offers greater transparency in the gameplay. You can see everything happening at the table and monitor it.
Blackjack in Australia: Online Options and Specifics
Blackjack online in Australia is very popular, like any other form of gambling. It has become a tradition for Australians to play such games. Playing blackjack online is completely legal in Australia. You can play without worrying about account ban or bank sanctions.
Platforms to Play Blackjack Online for Real Money
Due to the big popularity of this card game, most Australian gambling establishments have it in their range. Let’s take a look at three prominent casinos.
- PlayAmo Casino.
One of the most reputable casinos in Australia. It is known for its fairness and swift payout of winnings. Additionally, players appreciate the numerous bonuses and special offers. Many of them pertain to blackjack. - Fair Go Casino.
Another very popular casino that supports bank cards, electronic payment systems, and certain cryptocurrencies. - Joe Fortune.
A relatively young casino that has already received a big customer base. This casino offers a classic version of blackjack, options to play against the computer or with a live dealer.
This is just a drop in the ocean. There are dozens of such casinos in Australia. To determine which one is best to play at, you can read reviews from real players. These comments can be found on specialized platforms on the internet. We mean portals with casino rankings.
How to Win at Blackjack: Strategies and Tips
You can find great blackjack strategy online, but many of them are good for experienced players. Mastery of the game requires not only understanding its rules but also possessing analytical skills and a good memory. Don’t worry. With regular practice, you will develop these skills over time.
Now, let’s look at the basic strategy suitable for beginners. You need to remember what to do in various situations. This way, you won’t waste a second thinking. Decisions will have been made in advance. Here’s a list of these recommendations.
- If you have less than 11 points, always take another card, regardless of the dealer’s card.
- If you have less than 12 points and the dealer has more than 6 points, it’s better to take another card.
- If you have cards totaling 12-16 and the dealer has cards from 2 to 6, you should stand and not take more cards. There’s a high risk of exceeding 21 points.
These are very simple blackjack tips, aren’t they? To make your life easier, you can write these rules down and refer to them during the game.
A Few More Tips
Use Bank Management.
Choose your bet size and the total bankroll in advance. You must not exceed these amounts under any circumstances. By using the right approach, you won’t lose your entire bankroll even after a long series of losses. Players usually bet between 5% and 10% of their bankroll. It is a solid strategy you can use.
Never Try to Get Back Lost Money.
Many players increase their next bet to compensate for previously lost money. Firstly, statistics show that this does not work most of the time. Secondly, you will increase your stress levels, which will negatively impact your performance.
Avoid Playing with Multiple Decks.
Some players like to use 2-3 decks of cards or more. They say it makes the game more interesting and the outcome unpredictable. Perhaps. But, this should only be done by very experienced players who can use their advanced analytical skills to assess situations across multiple decks. You need to learn to concentrate on at least one deck first.
Start by Playing for Fun.
There’s no need to rush into playing for real money. You lack practical skills and mental preparedness. Beginners often fear losing money because it’s unfamiliar to lose a specific sum after a card game. Your mental state will stabilize after a few months of playing. Until then, practice for free. You can play online or live with friends.
Don’t Treat the Game as a Job.
This point should be the end of recommendations for any game. In 99% of cases, people who try to replace their usual source of income with card games end up failing. And not only because the theory of probability will not allow you to win often. It is again a matter of stress. If the outcome of the game depends on whether you will be able to pay the rent of your apartment, you will never, under any circumstances, be able to think clearly.
Playing Blackjack for Real Money
As mentioned earlier, to play blackjack online for real money without any issues, you need to find a reputable casino. We have briefly spoken about the criteria before. Now, let’s learn more.
- Licensing.
At a minimum, a casino should have a license. At a maximum, this license should be a prestigious one. The simplest license, for example, is Curacao. More reputable ones are Malta and the UK.justified when you have a really strong hand. - Payment Methods.
Ensure that your payment method allows for deposits and withdrawals. In some cases, it’s only possible to deposit funds. - Bonuses.
Most blackjack casino websites have a dedicated section for bonuses – permanent and temporary ones. Check this page to find special offers tailored for blackjack players. - Payout Speed.
Some casinos are notorious for taking a long time to pay out winnings. Sometimes it requires weeks or longer. You can find this information by reading reviews from real customers on specialized websites. - Options of Blackjack.
This is particularly relevant for players who want to play not the classic version of blackjack. Ensure that the specific casino supports your preferred variant.
Spend an hour of your time, and you will surely find a quality option.
Conclusion
As you can see, the blackjack game consistently ranks among the most popular casino games for good reason. It is engaging and remarkably simple. Fortunately, you can play blackjack online almost anywhere.
