Blackjack is one of the most popular table games among online casino players. Here’s how to hone your skills and tip the house edge into your favor.
Blackjack is one of the most popular table games, but it can also be challenging to play for beginners.
The game often favors the house, which is the case whether playing at a land-based casino or playing online.
Decreasing the house edge might seem like a lost sum game, but you are far from powerless. If you’re smart, there are a few ways you can shift the balance to be more in your favor.
In this article, you’ll learn how to lower the house edge in online blackjack.
You’ll also find out about card counting and how it works so you can improve your chances of winning if you ever choose to play blackjack offline.
Learn the Rules of Blackjack
Before you sign up to an online casino and start playing, it’s strongly advised that you learn the rules of blackjack.
When you know what you’re doing, you’ll not only increase your chances of beating the dealer but also notice signs that can impact your game that you might otherwise have missed.
Some of the basic things you need to know include:
- To win, you need to beat the dealer’s hand while also not exceeding the number 21.
- If you go over 21, you lose; it does not matter what the dealer’s hand is in this instance.
- Every player in blackjack starts with two cards, and so does the dealer.
It’s a good idea to check out a range of online guides, videos, and online blackjack training tools to learn the blackjack rules.
It’s also wise to get your information from trusted experts to be sure the tips you are being given are accurate.
Practice Basic Strategy
While you’ll sometimes need to get as close to 21 without going over, this isn’t always the case.
Often, blackjack is a game of composure. You might need to keep your cards within a tight number range and anticipate the dealer busting before you do.
Regardless of how much you know about house edges, you’ll often not have a favorable advantage. Rather than feeling disheartened, though, you should see that as empowering.
Why?
Because you can put together a few strategies that will increase your chances of winning each time.
Below is a typical basic strategy formula:
It’s worth noting that even if you learn the above table off by heart, you still won’t get anywhere unless you put it into action. To get things right, you’ll need to practice.
If you don’t feel ready to play for real money, you should use online blackjack training tools to hone your skills before putting your cash on the table.
Most training tools provide tips and feedback to improve your game until you feel ready to play for real money.
Play at the Right Tables
Not all online blackjack tables are created equally. If you want to decrease the house edge, knowing where to play and which sites to avoid is essential.
When doing your research, it helps to know what you can expect when returning to player (RTP) rates. For online blackjack, a large number of online titles have an RTP rate of 99.5%.
If you’re not sure which online blackjack titles and types are suitable for you, there are many good resources online that can match your preferences to the right casinos and games.
Read casino reviews not only from experts but also from real players. Once you’ve spent a bit of time doing this, you’ll have a better idea of where and where not to play.
Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
If you’re a complete beginner to online blackjack, making the most of bonuses and promotions is a great way to lower the house edge.
For blackjack, these are the best types of bonus:
- Bonuses with a high blackjack contribution percentage
- No-wagering bonuses
- Live dealer casino bonuses
Like with your primary strategy, you must be smart with your bonuses and promotions.
Not all online casino offers are suitable for blackjack; what works for slots will not always work for table games.
Before taking advantage of casino bonuses and promotions, read the terms and conditions for each and make sure you understand them.
You can also use casino review sites to compare different gambling sites and offers that are more suited to blackjack players.
What Is Card Counting, and How Does It Work?
Card counting is a tactic where you keep a tally of specific cards as the dealer goes through the deck.
By doing this, you’ll get a better idea of when you’re likely to be dealt a card that will improve your hand and the chance of hitting blackjack.
Although touching your cards in blackjack is illegal, card counting technically is not.
Some dealers might ask you to stop playing, and casinos could potentially tell you to leave the premises, but you cannot be arrested for it.
It’s worth noting that card counting isn’t possible when playing online blackjack. Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know if you ever decide to play in a land-based casino.
Practice Makes Perfect in Online Blackjack
Learning how to play online blackjack can be daunting if you haven’t spent much time doing so before.
While you might never decrease the house edge to the point where it works in your favor, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to improve your chances of success.
Before getting involved in online blackjack, make sure you read the rules and have a basic idea of what you need to do.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to practice, and don’t forget you can use online tools to help you.
It’s also wise to look for bonuses and promotions that are more favorable towards blackjack players and fully understand any terms and conditions attached.
Above all else, be patient and enjoy the process – you’ll naturally improve and work out how to decrease the house edge by playing more.
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