How to Play Online Blackjack

Playing online casino blackjack is a simple, fun way to game. Not only that, but with a little luck and understanding of the basic strategy, you can make a little money in the process. To play online blackjack, all you have to know is the basic rules.

Basic Rules of Blackjack

The objective of online blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Face cards are worth ten points, aces are one or 11 and other cards are their face value. You put up a bet of the size of your choice before the hand starts and receive two cards face up. The dealer receives two cards, but with one face down. The player can then choose to take a card (“hit”) or not (“stand”). If the player hits and does not have a total higher than 21, he can continue to hit until he is satisfied or goes over 21. If he goes over 21, he busts and loses the hand. If he stands, the dealer turns over his other card. The dealer must hit 16 or less and stand on 17 or higher. Rules vary on whether or not the dealer must hit a hand of A6, which can be 7 or 17 (“soft” 17). If the dealer is closer to 21, he wins, if he has the same point total as the player it is a push, if the player has a higher total, the player wins.

Special Rules of Blackjack

If the dealer has an ace showing, the player has the option of taking insurance, essentially betting that the dealer has 21 on two cards (“blackjack”). If the dealer does in fact have blackjack, the player wins 2-to-1 on his insurance bet, but loses his regular bet (unless the player also has 21), essentially breaking even. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player loses his insurance bet and play continues as normal. Under normal circumstances, taking insurance has a negative expected value for the player.

If the player is dealt an ace and a ten-point card on his first two cards, he has blackjack, which in a standard game pays 3-to-2. If the player takes insurance when he has blackjack, he gets 3-2 on his insurance bet, which means he gets paid off at even money no matter what the result. Although this is a guaranteed win, it is still a negative expectation play.

If a player has two cards of equal point value, he may split them, putting an additional bet up and using each card as the base of a new two-card hand. The two hands then proceed as normal. A player may also double down, receiving one and only one extra card for an extra bet.

Some sites may offer the option of surrender. With surrender, you can forfeit half your bet without continuing the hand providing the dealer is not showing an ace. This can be a money-saving play if you are starting with a very poor hand like a 15 or 16 and facing a powerful dealer card like a ten.

Rules of Online Blackjack

Online blackjack is played just like live blackjack, except since it is just you and a computerized dealer, the play of the hands will be much faster, so you need to keep careful track of how your stack is doing at all times. You should also check to make sure that the standard odds and rules apply at the site where you are playing.

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