Sure, while stepping into any online casino, you are going to see and play more than your share of epic slot games, and for a good reason. Why do slot games come in all themes and reels? They still don’t have the classic elegance that online blackjack brings to the table – pun intended. Thanks to incredible technological leaps, online blackjack continues to rival today’s top-tier slot games in popularity and rewards. If you’re new to the fantastic online blackjack experience, consider this article as a guide to help build a long, winning relationship with 21 games.
What Is Online Blackjack?
Classic online blackjack is the online version of the timeless 21 game. Dating back to England in the late 1700s, blackjack, originally known by its French name, Ving-et-un, is a game where players try to have a higher hand than the dealer. Online blackjack starts with the dealer and the player receiving two cards. If the playing hand equals 21, the player or the dealer wins. Also, the allure of online blackjack is it gives players a 50% chance of overcoming the house edge.
Key Components of an Online Blackjack Game
While online blackjack isn’t an overly complicated game, it does help to know the fundamentals to get the most bang for your buck.
- Busting: Something the dealer and players don’t want to do. If the player’s or dealer’s card value goes over 21, they automatically lose the playing hand.
- Hitting: It’s not common to get a natural blackjack hand with the first two cards, so to boost the card value, players hit to draw and additional card. However, each hit can mean busting.
- Standing: Players can also choose to stand with the playing hand they have. However, standing with a low count can result in a loss if the dealer ends up with a better hand.
- The upcard: Even though the dealer gets two cards, one card is left face up. This is known as the upcard. The upcard helps players decide whether or not to hit or to stand.
- Doubling Down: Players also have the opportunity to double down in each playing round. To double down means hitting for one final card in the playing round, but it costs matching the original wager. Doubling down too soon means you might have to sit helplessly as the dealer continues hitting to have the winning hand.
Start by Picking a Basic Blackjack Game
The great part about playing online blackjack games is that they are all user-friendly and easy on the budget. For beginners, it’s a good move to begin with American Blackjack. Not only does American Blackjack offer a fantastic 99.50% RTP, it features less rules. For example, the dealer deals themselves two cards before the player decides to hit or stand. Also, beginners can consider these other captivating online blackjack games:
European Blackjack
Also known as Classic 21, European Blackjack plays smoothly like American Blackjack. The notable difference is that the dealer doesn’t get the hole card until all the players have made their moves.
Atlantic City Blackjack
Made famous for all the amazing blackjack play in Atlantic City casinos, today, online Atlantic City Blackjack is growing a dedicated playing audience. Atlantic City Blackjack gives the dealer the chance to check to see if they have 21. If so, the dealer automatically wins, regardless of whether the player has 21.
Spanish 21
How does playing online blackjack without tens sound? That’s the challenge of playing Spanish 21. Because of the extra steps to get to 21, Spanish 21 offers more extensive payouts for getting five, six, and even seven-card hands worth 21. It doesn’t matter if the dealer has 21, if the player does, the player wins.
How to Choose the Right Online Blackjack Game
Even though online blackjack is a straightforward process, it doesn’t hurt to consider these features to get the most out of your online blackjack experience.
- Focus on the RTP: The great part about playing online blackjack is that the average RTP is 99%. However, some versions might be lower. For best results, we recommend beginning with games with at least a 99% RTP.
- Start Slow: Most online blackjack games are available in the live dealer. However, due to the speed, it might not be ideal for beginners. Chances are you can find an online blackjack game that allows you to play at your own pace.
- Be Weary of Bonuses: Today’s online blackjack games, like Gravity Blackjack, feature bonus rounds. Because of the bonuses, the RTP might not be as high.
Setting a Budget
Online blackjack, like other casino games, is based on a defined budget. When putting together your budget, here are some key things to consider:
- Start Small: When first starting off, it’s wise to begin with a small budget. With a small budget, you can take your time building steady wins.
- Consider the Bets: While online blackjack games feature the same mechanics, the price points are different. For those who enjoy higher stakes, it’s possible that the minimum playing hands start at $100. To best manage the budget, consider the online blackjack games that begin at a dollar or less.
- Don’t Pass up the Bonuses: Online blackjack qualifies for many bonuses. Thanks to a real money or a sweepstakes casino no deposit bonus, players can take their time learning the ropes for online blackjack.
Practicing Always Helps
Fortunately, many real money online casinos support demo play for online blackjack. To help save on the budget, playing practice rounds can help build a strategy chart and test different betting strategies. Sweepstakes casinos offer heaps of free gold coins to play free online blackjack games.
Conclusion
Playing online blackjack is a truly regal and rewarding experience. With some common sense measures, you can set the stage for beating the house. Other bonus tips include splitting aces to have two potential winning hands. Also, taking the time to know when to hit or stand can help you outlast the dealer.