Casino games, whether in person or online, continue to capture the imagination of players young and old. For those who like playing in person, while you can see players hard at work on the slot machines determined to hit the big one, the crowds continue to bet bigger around the blackjack tables.
For players playing online, while slots continue to make up the majority, you can’t help but notice the growing number of blackjack games, especially for those interested in live dealer games. This article is meant for novices in mind, but we hope seasoned players also consider giving this blackjack guide a read to take their games to the next level.
The advantage of playing blackjack in person is that you are assured that the gameplay is fair and honest. Also, there are assurances of receiving payment should you outlast the dealer. For those looking to play blackjack online, the first step is to play at reputable gaming sites.
The American online casinos are licensed by highly credible agencies like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Before sitting at the virtual blackjack table, always check to see if the site is licensed. You can also read many reputable casino reviews to further determine the voracity and brand reputation of the site.
After determining the site’s brand reputation, study the UX experience, both on desktop and mobile play. If the blackjack site doesn’t have an official app, it is worth the extra effort to test the blackjack games on mobile browsers for performance issue. This is especially important if playing live dealer blackjack.
Because live blackjack, like other live dealer games, streams in 4k, it might be worth taking up multiple no deposit sweepstakes casino bonuses to test multiple social casinos that support live blackjack. Part of these social sign-up bonuses include a bounty of gold coins, which are perfect for taking your time testing the live blackjack functionality to see if it is truly a seamless process.
Another advantage of taking up social casino sign-up bonuses is you get to test all the live dealer games, including blackjack, so you experience what works and what doesn’t. Unlike real money sign-up bonuses, they usually don’t apply to live dealer games, so you might want to go the social casino route first.
Whether you’re playing in person or online, the wise blackjack players have a fixed budget. Thankfully, online casinos allow members to set responsible spending and playing measures to help players stay online. Another reason to play online is the abundance of blackjack variants that you won’t find in person.
For those who are learning blackjack for the first time, the allure is that you strive to have a higher playing hand than the dealer, or better yet, 21. Most blackjack games pay 3:2 for getting blackjack. Most blackjack games begin with an RTP rate of at least 99%, so the odds of winning, more often than not, are considerably higher than most table games.
If you don’t know, Aces count for eleven or one point if the playing hand is three cards or more. Tens and the face cards all count for ten. The remaining cards count as they are. It might be helpful for players to begin with a blackjack strategy chart to know when to hit or stand.
If your first two cards aren’t a natural blackjack, the decision to hit or stand pat comes up. To hit means drawing an additional card. However, hitting too much, or even once, can lead to busting. Busting means exceeding 21, which means an automatic loss.
For best results, if your playing hand is worth less than 13, the odds are on your side to hit with a reduced risk of busting. If your playing hand is worth more than fifteen, consider standing. The odds of busting increase.
Having a playing hand worth 14 or even 13 is a tempting gray area. One big hit can put you at 21 or close to it. Of course, there is still a chance of busting. In this scenario, it might be worth the risk to “double down.” Doubling down means drawing one final card during the playing round, but you must match the initial deposit.
If successful, you can double the win. Another pro-top is to split aces. Splitting aces means you don’t have to worry about busting with the next draws. Even though you have to match the initial bet, the odds of pulling off a double blackjack are on your side.
In conclusion, while there’s no foolproof way of winning at blackjack, the pro steps outlined in this game at least put you in the right direction. Some blackjack games feature side bets. While these offer lucrative payouts, the house edge isn’t in your favor, so be careful about them.
Also, be careful about taking insurance bets. Insurance bets kick in when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. Spending more money trying not to lose money might cost you money even if you win.
