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How Does The Betting Work In Blackjack?
Blackjack is one of the most interesting and popular games in the casino. There are many reasons for this, and one of them is the rules of the game. Unlike some casino games the house is governed by specific rules in blackjack that must be followed at all times. Another reason is that players can be given more than one opportunity to bet in the game when the cards are in their favor.
Betting in online and live blackjack is exactly the same. Here at Counting Edge we want our players to know how the betting works in blackjack. This will give you a greater chance to win money online playing blackjack from your computer, phone, or tablet.
Table Minimums and Blackjack
The first thing that you need to understand about betting in blackjack for money is the table minimum. This is the minimum amount of money that you must wager in order to play the game. In a live casino this amount is rarely less than $5 and often as high as $10 on the busy days. When you play online blackjack you can play for as little as $1 per hand.
Before we get more into the subject of how betting works in blackjack we should remind everyone about the ideal bankroll size. Whenever you sit down to play you should have a starting bankroll of 50X the table minimum. At a $5 table you should have a $250 bankroll. This is just a guideline, but it will give you the best chance of winning when you play.
Making the First Blackjack Bet
Every game of blackjack begins with a starting wager that is equal to or greater than the table minimum. So, in the case of a $1 minimum online blackjack bet you would begin by making the minimum wager or higher. To do this online you simply click the denomination of chip that you would like to bet.
Once you have made the first blackjack bet you will be given two face-up cards. This is your starting hand. You can play the hand without making any other wagers. If you win the hand you will be paid even money. In the case of a blackjack you will be paid 3-2. If you lose the hand you will lose this original bet and nothing else.
Blackjack would be even simpler to play and master if this were all there was to it. Depending on the first two cards that you receive other wagers may be possible. These are independent of the original wager except in the case of a double down.
Betting Double Downs & Splits in Online Blackjack
The standard rules of blackjack allow a player to split or double down a hand when certain conditions are met. To split or to double requires a separate wager from the player.
A split occurs when the player has been dealt two of the same card on the original deal. For example, the player receives 8-8. In this case is it almost always wise to split the hand. To do this the player makes another wager equal to the original one. The two cards are then split to become two separate hands. Each of the original cards receives another card to become a two-card blackjack hand.
A double down is when a player chooses to double their original wager after seeing their first two cards. Some casinos will only allow this to be done on a total of 10 or 11. Other casinos will allow a player to double on any two cards. The player adds an additional wager equal to the original one and is then given just one additional card to improve their hand. In some casinos the player is also allowed to double for less than the original amount.
A split wager is an independent bet. A double down is a doubling of the original wager. The player is given the opportunity to make these bets after all the initial cards have been dealt.
Insurance Betting in Online Blackjack
A discussion of how the betting works in online blackjack would be incomplete without mentioning the insurance wager. Insurance is a separate wager that the player can make any time that the dealer shows an ace as an upcard.
If the player chooses to take insurance they make a separate bet equal to their original wager. If the dealer does have a blackjack the player will lose their original wager but they will win the insurance bet at 2-1. Therefore, the player breaks even. If the dealer does not have a blackjack the player still has a chance to win their original wager but the insurance wager is lost.
Insurance is not usually a good bet. Some experienced card counters will claim that in certain cases it is beneficial to take insurance in some situations when the deck is very favorable.
These are the basic wagers that you will encounter in the game of online blackjack. You now know how betting works in blackjack and can begin to play online. We suggest that you check out some of our recommended online casinos for the best blackjack experience. To play real money blackjack read reviews such as the Casino Max review, Miami Club casino review , High Country casino review, Cherry Jackpot casino review, or Roaring 21 review to name a few.