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Best & Worst Online Blackjack Tips
Do you want to win money playing blackjack online? Playing the game of 21 online for real money is very popular these days. You can increase your chances to make a profit at the game when you follow some simple do’s and don’ts. Counting Edge has put together a list of the top three best and worst online blackjack tips to help you shore up your game and win big.
Best Tips or Online Blackjack
1 – Learn and Use Basic Blackjack Strategy
Blackjack is one of the most unique games in the casino. It is a game in which the casino is strictly governed by a set of rules. When a player understands these rules and how to respond to them, the chances of making a profit at blackjack are increased. The proper responses are what is known as basic blackjack strategy.
In a blackjack game the goal is to make a hand that totals closer to 21 than the hand held by the dealer without going over. The blackjack dealer is required to stand on all totals of 17 or greater, and must take another card on totals of 16 or less. The player may choose to do whatever they like on any total that they hold. In many cases this gives the player an unmistakable advantage.
Counting Edge has provided basic blackjack strategy charts for you to use. You can also consult books on the subject of blackjack to learn basic strategy. There may be some small variations from resource to resource, but most of these strategies will instruct you to do the same thing. What basic strategy does is tell you whether to hit or stand based on the hand you hold and the dealer’s upcard.
Basic blackjack strategy works best when it is committed to memory and becomes instinctive. Do not deviate from basic strategy once you have it perfected.
2 – Learn When to Double Down
Online blackjack is a game that provides the player with select opportunities to maximize the chance of winning a strong hand. One of these opportunities is known as the double down. In this situation you are allowed to make an additional wager equal to the first after receiving your first two cards. You will then receive a single card to complete the hand.
Many online casinos today will allow you to double down on any two cards that you are dealt. That doesn’t mean you should always do it. Just like basic blackjack strategy, there are certain times that call for certain responses. You must learn when to double your hand and when to avoid the double down.
A total of 11 is almost always a good double down scenario. Since there are more ten-value cards in the deck than any other value, the chance that you will receive a 10 on your 11 for a 21 is very good. But, what if the dealer has a 10 showing? In that case you might want to skip the double down and just hit your hand instead.
Other totals that can be doubled down profitably are 9 and 10. If you are a card counter and know that the dealer is especially weak, a double down might also be appropriate if you have other totals. Be careful. Advanced use of the double down can mark you as a card counter or advantage player and get you banned from the casino.
3 – Split Those Aces
In blackjack you are allowed to split any pair that you are dealt on your original two cards. This means that you can turn one hand into two hands. You will make an additional wager equal to the first and each card of the pair will become a new, separate hand. A second card will be added to each of them and play proceeds as normal.
Most blackjack resources advise the play to always split a pair of aces. Why? Because together the two aces are a poor hand to hold in blackjack. You have a problematic total of 2 or 12 when you hold them. Also, when you split the aces you have a chance to receive a ten on each one for a total of 21. You should know if this happens you will only be paid if you win the hand, and that the payout will be 1-1. Split aces that become 21 are not eligible for the 3-2 blackjack payoff that is offered when you make 21 on your first two cards.
This is one tip that you can pretty much depend on at the online blackjack table to always be the best play. When you see those two aces appear, do not even think twice about what to do. Split the aces.
Worst Tips for Online Blackjack
1 – Splitting a Pair of Tens
Splitting a pair of ten-value cards is one of the worst things that you can do at online blackjack. A ten-value card is any 10, J, Q, or K. The two cards do not have to match in order for you to be able to split them. In other words, if you have a J and a Q the casino will allow you to split the hand because both cards have a value of ten. Don’t do it.
The reason that splitting tens is such a bad idea is that a total of 20 is very hard to beat in blackjack. Only one total will beat you. The dealer must either have a blackjack or draw to total of 21. Why would you want to willingly surrender a hand that is most often a winner?
The danger in splitting tens is that you could take a total of 20 and turn it into a total of 12, 13, or 16. These are very bad hands to have at the blackjack table.
2 – Hitting a 16 Against a Powerful Dealer Upcard
No one likes to look down and see a total of 16 at the blackjack table. It is a horrible hand to hold, and in most cases you will just have to accept that you are beaten. Some players that hold this hand make a bad mistake by standing when the dealer shows a 7, 8, 9, or 10. They will rationalize that their instincts told them to stand. This is false.
The best play when you have a 16 against the dealer’s 7-10 is to hit the hand. What have you got to lose? You are probably beaten anyway, so taking a chance to draw a smaller card makes more sense than sitting on the 16 and hoping the dealer does not have a ten in the hole.
We should also mention that you should never hit 17 or above. The chances are just too slim that you will draw a card that can help you improve your total.
3 – Taking Insurance
Insurance is a side bet that is offered by the casino in an attempt to improve the house edge over a player. You are offered insurance anytime that the dealer has an ace showing. To make the insurance bet you must place a new wager that is equal to half the amount of your original wager.
If the dealer has a blackjack you will be paid 2-1 on the insurance bet but you will lose your original wager. If the dealer does not have a blackjack you will lose the insurance wager and the play will continue as normal.
The fly in the ointment here is that when you lose the insurance bet there is still no guarantee that you will win the regular wager. You will just have to play that hand out and see what happens. The only time that we could recommend taking insurance is when you are able to count cards and know that the deck is in your favor.
We hope you have enjoyed this list of the best and worst online blackjack tips. If you are ready to try out some of the best tips, why not create an account with one of our recommended online casinos today. You may even qualify for a deposit bonus when you sign up.
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