Online Blackjack Resources

Online blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. This classic card game is easy to follow and has a low house edge, giving online casino enthusiasts an easy way to play for real money or just for fun.

Beginner Guide on How to Play Blackjack

Learning how to play blackjack online is a relatively easy feat — most beginners can start playing shortly after they get a quick rundown of the game. However, for those interested in becoming more serious blackjack players, it may take a bit longer to master the basic blackjack strategy behind the game. Here is a beginner guide to playing the different blackjack games available in real money online casinos.

Blackjack Objective

The objective of playing blackjack is simple: beat the dealer's hand by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. The objective and rules of online blackjack are the same as when you play blackjack in a real casino; the only difference is you have a virtual dealer instead of a real one. (Live dealer blackjack games do offer real dealers via livestream!)

Blackjack Rules

The blackjack rules are easy to follow, making it an excellent game for those new to online real money games or free blackjack games.

• In a standard blackjack game, each card has an assigned value. The aces are worth 1 or 11 points, 2-10 number cards are taken at face value, and the jacks, queens, and kings are all worth 10 points.

• The dealer deals cards, and the players can choose if they want more cards or prefer to stop at their current number of cards.

• As previously mentioned, the sum of the cards' value will determine the score of each online blackjack player. The objective is to reach the highest possible score without exceeding 21. If you pass the 21 mark, you will automatically lose. This is commonly referred to as a bust.

• The highest-ranking card combination is called a blackjack — when you get 21 with two cards (an ace and a 10-point card). Blackjack pays 3/2, essentially giving you a 1.5x payout in standard blackjack games.

• Each player will take turns deciding how to proceed based on the cards' value. The player can hit or stand. If they hit, the dealer will deal another card until the player stands. If they stand, the player stays with the same first two cards the dealer dealt.

How to Play

We already know that the objective of this card game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. But how exactly do you play online blackjack? Let's explain:

The player will place their bet. Then, the dealer will deal two cards to all players and themselves. One of the dealer's cards will be face up while the other will be hidden. This is called the hole card. The dealer can only take a peak at the hidden card if the visible card is either a 10-point card or an ace. This is to see if the dealer has blackjack (which is 21). If it is an ace showing, meaning the dealer's visible card is, in fact, an ace, then the player can take out insurance. This means you can take back half of your bet.

In the event that neither the player nor the dealer has 21 with their first two cards, there are now eight ways to play their hand. The dealer then reveals the hole card. If those cards are equivalent to 16 or less, another card is hit until the score passes 17. If the dealer's hand is more than twenty-one (21), you're the winner!

When the dealer finally hits between 17 and 21, those points are compared to the other players. If it's a draw (meaning both the player and the dealer have Blackjack or the same card total), the player gets their stake back. If the dealer has more points than the player, the stake is lost. If not, the player wins, and their initial bet gets doubled.

Blackjack Strategy

If you're looking to play real money blackjack, remember that having a good strategy will take you from a good player to a great one. A basic blackjack strategy can improve your chances of winning real money.

Getting the Best Blackjack Bonus

The best type of online blackjack bonuses can depend on the player's goals and experience playing the game. Let's take a look at a few online blackjack bonuses below.

Types of Blackjack Bonus

A few free online blackjack bonuses include a side-wager, bonus, and progressive bet. Here is a closer look at each individual bonus:

Side-wager

• A side-wager or side bet is an additional real money bet placed during an online blackjack casino game. These bets typically go beyond whether or not a player or the dealer will win. Examples of side wagers include perfect pairs, insurance, lucky ladies, and 21+3. Most side bets are announced at the beginning of the first round before the dealer deals the cards alongside the regular bets. These side wagers usually have fixed odds with more money payouts than the standard 2:1 payout after beating the dealer.

Bonus

• Bonus bets are also called side bets. They are easy to understand and add a bit of fun to real-money online blackjack games. They are paid separately from whether the player wins or loses.

Progressive Bet

• A progressive bet is a side bet for a progressive jackpot. If the player places a real money progressive bet and gets the right combination of cards, they will receive a share of the progressive jackpot. One popular version of a progressive blackjack game typically has four decks of cards. The player places a progressive bet with the hope that their two cards and the dealer's two cards will combine perfectly to receive the blackjack jackpot payout. Regardless of winning or losing, this bet won't alter the game's outcome.

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