How to Win at Blackjack Online?

Blackjack is a ripper of an online casino game that players across New Zealand love to sink their teeth into. It's a game that blends a bit of luck with genuine skill. While you can't call the shots on the cards you're dealt, you absolutely can control how you play them. To really boost your chances of winning at online blackjack, you'll need to get your head around probability and stick to some fundamental strategy rules. In this guide, we'll dive deep into how to win at online blackjack, Kiwi-style.

Understanding the Odds in Blackjack

To give yourself the best shot at winning at online blackjack, you've got to get the hang of basic probability. In a standard 52-card deck, there are a good bunch of cards worth ten – that's the tens, jacks, queens, and kings. This means there's a decent chance the next card to come out will be a ten. Knowing this is crucial, so you can make smart calls on when to hit (take another card) and when to stand (stick with what you've got).

At the start of each hand, you get two cards, and the dealer gets one face-up and one face-down. Now, if we assume that dealer's hidden card is a ten, it helps you adjust your strategy based on how strong their visible card looks. For example, if the dealer's upcard is an eight, nine, or ten, it's a fair bet they've got a strong hand, so you'd probably want to play your own hand a bit more aggressively.

When to Double Down and Split

Doubling down and splitting are handy blackjack tactics designed to bump up your potential winnings. But, like a good yarn, you don't want to overdo it. Doubling down means you double your bet and get just one more card. Splitting is when you've got a pair, so you break them into two separate hands, getting a new card for each.

Your best bet is to follow a basic strategy chart – it'll tell you the prime moments to double down or split. Generally, you only want to think about doubling down a few times, and definitely steer clear of splitting two tens. Sticking to these game-smart moves can really improve your odds at online blackjack.

Ditch the Progressive Betting Systems

These systems involve upping your bets after each win or loss. While they might sound tempting, they can quickly lead to blowing your budget and wiping out your bankroll. It's much wiser to stick with a flat betting approach and give progressive systems the flick if you want to boost your winning potential in blackjack.

Give Side Bets a Miss

Those extra wagers (side bets) you see offered during a game might look flashy, but they're loaded with risk. These side bets usually have a much higher house edge than the main game, and they can chew through your cash quicker than you can say 'fair go'. Keep your focus on the main game and sidestep the side bets if you're serious about improving your blackjack odds.

Get Smart with Card Counting

While there's no magic formula to win every single hand of blackjack, you can definitely nudge the odds in your favour by sidestepping a few traps. A common blunder is getting caught up in side bets like Perfect Pairs or 21+3. They might offer tempting payouts (up to 25:1 or 100:1 respectively), but the house edge is a killer over time. And don't even get us started on insurance bets – they're a classic way to lose money in the long run. Best to stick to the main game and play it smart.

Players looking to win at blackjack, in the long run, may want to consider card counting. This strategy involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to determine the likelihood of certain cards appearing in future hands. However, it's important to note that card counting is not foolproof and may not always lead to a win.

3. Practice More and More

After learning the basics, you should practice as much as possible. As a complete beginner, it might be hard at first, but after some time, you will see how easy it is. Don't lose focus and continue practicing with consistency. You won't have to worry about spending your money while playing, as in almost every online casino. You will be able to practice for free for as long as you want to. So, keep practicing until you get better and start with a bit of money. Get the grasp of playing while spending money, and you will be able to get used to the feeling soon.

Using a Blackjack Strategy Chart

A strategy chart is a helpful tool for making informed decisions during the game based on the hand value and the dealer's upcard. It can reduce the likelihood of making costly mistakes and enhance the chance of winning. Players should ensure to use a chart that matches the rules of the game.

4. Figure Out the Number of Card Decks the Online Casino Uses

Not all online casinos will use the same card decks. Some might use a different one, so it is better to find the card decks the online casino uses. This way, you will be able to keep tabs on almost everything.

Reputable online casinos shuffle the cards after each hand using a Random Number Generator. It is impossible to follow the cards being dealt because of this. Additionally, even though it is impossible to count cards online, you can improve your chances by keeping track of the cards that have already been used.

5. Never Split Two Face Cards and Always Split Aces and 8’s

Rookie players frequently make this error because they believe separating face cards and tens would quadruple their earnings. Statistically speaking, splitting face cards is never a good idea because you risk losing twice as much money if the new cards you draw aren't the ones you want in exchange for the high likelihood of winning with a 20.

This should be obvious, if not already. By splitting these, you are betting that at least one face card will appear to give you a firm hand. A pair of 8s gives you the dreaded 16. You have several possibilities to create a winning hand because even a 1, 2, or 3 are all solid cards to pull to an 8. A pair of Aces also gives you an unfavorable hand value of either 2 or 12, so splitting them and hoping for 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s to appear is a much better idea.

6. Know When to Quit

You must set a limit to the amount of time you play and the amount of money you will spend. Never cross the boundary you have selected. You should also set a limit on winning. Let's suppose your limit to win is $100, and you have achieved it, then stop for the day. Do not get greedy and lose what you have already won.

On the other hand, if your losing limit is $50, then immediately stop when you have lost that large amount and give it a rest. Never let your emotions play the game. Play Blackjack with a calm mind while keeping the odds in mind. Always look for something new and try out different things in the practice area. This way, you will win more often.

7. Manage your Blackjack Bankroll

Another significant factor in winning at blackjack online is bankroll management. Players should set a budget for themselves and avoid betting more than they can afford to lose. Chasing losses is a surefire way to lose even more money, so it's indispensable to avoid this practice.

Players should also set a win goal and stop playing once they've reached it. This prevents players from losing all their winnings due to a streak of bad luck. By practicing good bankroll management, players can increase their chances of winning at blackjack while minimizing their losses.

Final Ideas on How to Win Blackjack

Winning at blackjack online requires a combination of luck and skill. Though the fortune of the draw can’t be managed, players can manage what they do with their hands. So, they can increase their chances of winning at blackjack by understanding probability, following basic strategy rules, practicing good bankroll management, and taking advantage of the benefits of playing online.

However, it's important to remember that the house always has an edge, and there is no guaranteed way to win every time. When mastering the basic strategy, the house edge in the game is reduced to approximately 0.50%. So, we can say with some confidence that by following a solid strategy, players will have some winning sessions.

To do so, there are 3 rules to follow:

• Do not play blackjack side bets. They are a losing proposition.
• Don’t take insurance. Like side bets, insurance costs players more than it’s worth over time. Steer clear.
• Always follow the Blackjack Strategy chart.