Online blackjack is a fun and easy way to start getting into online casino games. If you already know how to play blackjack from playing it in live casinos, you’ll have no problem with the online version, since the games play almost identically. With online blackjack, there are a few important tips to keep in mind.

Counting Cards in Online Blackjack

In most cases, you shouldn’t bother trying to count cards in online blackjack. Card counting is based on knowing the composition of the deck, knowing how many ten-point cards relative to other cards, and in most online blackjack scenarios, the deck is effectively infinite, so card counting techniques will not work.

Basic Strategy in Online Blackjack

Basic strategy, on the other hand, works in any blackjack game. If you don’t know basic strategy by heart, you can always call up a basic strategy chart on the Internet and keep it next to the playing screen for easy reference. Using basic strategy, even if you don’t know it by heart, is perfectly legal, and keeps the house edge down.

Hunches in Online Blackjack

Playing hunches will only lose you money in the long run. Hit, stand, double or split based on correct strategy, not on what you “know” is coming. The random number generator in the software doesn’t create a card until you act, so there is nothing “coming” for you to know; the card simply springs into existence when you ask for it.

Insurance in Online Blackjack

Under conventional blackjack rules, insurance is a sucker bet. You should never take it under any circumstances.

If you just want to have fun playing blackjack online and you are happy to blast your money away – then take chances.  But be warned that you are more likely to make some of your money back and improve your return on investment, if you play roulette or slots.

Careless and rash decisions whilst playing blackjack will cost you.  Casinos have a house edge that will tip in their favor when you bet loosely.  It is best to have a specific, tight blackjack strategy when playing to ensure you minimise your loss and reduce the house edge.

Keeping discipline and knowing exactly when to hit (get dealt another card), stand (stick with the cards that you have) and double down are vital.  When I play online blackjack I always use a blackjack strategy chart that guides me with my betting decisions.  And this helps me to control my emotions and make a calculated decision or bet instead of making loose decisions.

Search for a good blackjack strategy chart now, download it or print it so that you always have it nearby when you are playing.  The strategy chart tells you exactly what to do, either to hit, stand, double down or split.  Someone has already done all the hard work and worked out what the best winning odds are for each scenario.

And its amazing because once you have used the chart a lot, then you start to get a feel of what to do.  So when you go into a live casino then you can improve the odds of winning.

Blackjack can be mastered on two levels. The first step is to learn the basic strategy – how to make the mathematically correct decisions in every possible situation. In doing so, you can reduce the house edge to below one percent. However, you’ll never beat the house in the long run by just deploying the basic blackjack strategy. The house advantage will take a small cut out of your bankroll on every bet you make.

But if you count cards and know how to exploit that skill, you can actually get an edge in the long haul. The key is to know when the deck is in the players’ favor and then raise the stakes. Sometimes online-casino bonuses can give players an advantage. To find a bonus with positive expectation (+EV) you must compare the house edge and the bonus value.

In this blog, I’ll give you tips on how to master blackjack and where to find the favorable percentages both online and offline.