Playing Blackjack Online

Blackjack is a game of strategy, and without knowing the fundamentals you can be completely lost. The goal of Blackjack is to beat the dealers hand without going over 21. When you begin, every player is dealt two cards, only your own hand and own of the dealers cards will be visible to you; in Blackjack that card is called the Dealer’s Up Card. Now, once you are dealt your hand and it is your turn to decide what to do, you have several options. Now, your objective is to not go over 21, otherwise you ‘Bust’ meaning you are out of that round. 

Blackjack terms

Hit: If you hit, you are asking for another card.
Double Down: If you decide to double down, you are essentially making a hit and doubling your bet.
Splitting: You may split if you have two cards with the same number (a pair). The pair will be split into two hands. Splitting also doubles the bet as you are now possessing two hands.
Stand: If you decide to stand, you are stating that you wish to stay and not receive any more cards. You would then total the numerical value of the cards.

Blackjack Rules and Scoring

Aces are worth 1 or 11.
Face Cards are worth 10.
If you go over 21 you bust.
If you are dealt with an Ace and a Face Card, you have Blackjack.
You can only Double Down and Split on your first turn unless it is a new hand from a split in which you can on your first turn with that new hand.
The Dealer has to Hit their hand reaches 17 or higher.
You can not play on an Ace once they are Split.

Blackjack Strategy

Now this is where all of your mental skills come into play. One of the largest differences from between Online Blackjack and playing Blackjack with your friends is that you won’t be able to notice any emotions from the computer. Now, if you are used to playing in a Casino, you won’t notice the difference, but some players that are new to official gambling take a little bit of time to adjust. You have to understand that your odds won’t always be with you, so judgment will play a role. Below are some quick advisory guides, and they reference to Hard Hands and Soft Hands. A Hard Hand does not contain an ace that is an 11 while a Soft Hand contains an Ace that is 11.

Blackjack Strategy: Doubles

Hard Hands:
Double an eleven unless you are against an ace.
Double a ten unless you are against an ace or ten.
Only double a nine if the dealer’s up card is a three through six.

Soft Hands:
Always double if you are against a five or six.
Double against a three if you have seventeen or greater.
Double against a four if you have a fifteen or greater.
Double 18 against a deuce.

Blackjack Strategy: Pairs

Pairs:
Split on twos, threes, and sevens against a seven or less.
Split sixes on any card against a six or less.
Split nines against anything, but an ace, ten, or seven.
Never split fives or tens. (Play fives as a hard ten, and stand on the 20)

As a final note, these strategies will only work if they are used correctly and regularly. If you are exhibiting constant losses on the same hands change your strategy.