By Gareth McGray.

While Blackjack is a classic card game and hobby it is also an excellent option for anyone who enjoys casino games. Blackjack is easy to understand and you can play the game at the new flashy casino around the corner or join millions of enthusiasts online.  Here is a quick blackjack guide to help you transition from a rookie to an experienced online player. 

In the United States for example, online casino sites such as Bet-Colorado.com are beginning to provide access to sports betting opportunities.  If online sports betting goes without incident, Colorado lawmakers may consider adding legal online casinos. Currently, you can’t play blackjack online in Colorado, but there are a large number of retail locations for bettors to visit. 

Introduction to Blackjack

Blackjack is a common online casino game also known as 21, thanks to its nature. It promises thrilling game-play and the rules are quite simple, giving you a chance for strategic play. In fact, adept players who have mastered the art of playing a mathematically perfect game can count cards and sometimes put the odds in their favor.

Even for casual players, Blackjack’s casino odds are great for anyone who can play a relatively good game.  But playing a relatively good game means mastering a basic strategy at a minimum.  This makes Blackjack among the most attractive casino games since the 1700s. Today, the game is available in every American casino, with the house as the dealer and bank. That’s why you need to beat the dealer to win the game.

How Blackjack Works

Blackjack uses a traditional deck of 52 cards, although most casinos shuffle several decks together to improve competitiveness. For this reason, players need a solid understanding of Blackjack’s basic rules and the best strategy to increase their winning odds. 

How to Beat the Dealer

• Get a hand with a higher value than the dealer.
• Draw a hand with a value of 21 with your first two cards before the dealer¹⁾All blackjack games are not created equal and it is always advisable to find a game with the best rules for the player.  In particular, avoid games that only pay 6 to 5 on Blackjack which increases the house advantage by about 1.36%.  The traditional payoff for a Blackjack is 3 to 2.
• Double your bet on hands that favor the player and basic strategy advises it.
• Split your pairs on favorable hands and when basic strategy advises it.
• Surrender your hand to reduce your loss when basic strategy advises it.
• Never take the insurance bet unless you are counting cards.
• Have the dealer get a hand that exceeds 21, i.e., “let the dealer bust”.

How to Lose to the Dealer

• Drawing cards to your hand that go over 21, i.e., “bust your hand”.
• Get a hand lower than what the dealer has at the end of each round.

Please note that other player’s hands don’t affect whether you win a Blackjack game or not, unlike in games like poker. Only the dealer’s hand can affect your chances of winning, but that doesn’t make it a team sport.  So ignore how other players play and focus on your own play.

Finding a Hand’s Total Value

While Blackjack uses a traditional deck of cards, the suits don’t matter in determining your hand’s value. Numbers 2-10 are taken by their face value, while face cards J, K, and Q count as 10. The Ace counts as either 1 or 11, depending on the value that’s most useful to your hand.

How to Play Blackjack Online

Blackjack is available in many variations with a different number of decks, although the most common use six or eight decks. Fortunately, you can enjoy the game online in a few steps:

• Investigate and find a reputable online casino that offers a good blackjack game.
• Create an online casino account and deposit your stake.
• Buy chips to bet.
• Place your wager.
• Wait for the dealer to give out the cards to the players.
• Decide how to play your hand. You can decide to stand with your first two cards, hit for more cards, double down, split if you have a pair of identical cards or surrender your hand.
• Please wait for the dealer to play his hand.
• Enjoy the payouts if the dealer busts or your hand has a better value than his.

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