• Online Blackjack Tips
• Basic Blackjack Tips
• Blackjack Tips Card
• Tips For Playing Blackjack

Becoming a Smarter Online Blackjack Player

There are many professional blackjack players who have written books about the intricacies of the game, from employing betting systems to card counting.

You will fail to take advantage of opportunities like doubling down and splitting pairs. Always have the proper bankroll before you play live or online blackjack. 7 – Always Split Aces and Eights. This is one of the oldest blackjack tips in existence. It still works very well for the beginner. Here are a couple of rules to follow as part of strategy for blackjack using 4 to 8 decks: Do not play the insurance bet as it raises the house edge considerably. If a player cannot re-split a hand, the best option is to treat that hand as a hard total hand. We list below the tables for basic strategy for blackjack games using 4 to 8 decks. The guy to my side is a classic ploppy with 95% basic strategy, playing side bets almost every hand, lingering around the table minimum, tipping too much for his own good. The gods of variance, however, have been kind to him and he's still there with me two hours later, just about breaking even.

For the majority of blackjack players, however, all you need is a graps of the different bets and knowing when to commit your dollars.

Practice For Free

Practice makes perfect,' is an old saying that can be perfectly applied to online blackjack. The beauty of online gambling is that you can try new games out for free without risking a cent.

There's no embarrassment in sitting at a live table, risking real cash, and learning the hard way; online, you can try out big bets, small bets, or a wild staking system, or try your luck at a crazy variant. Then, when you're ready, get out the credit card and deposit some loonies. Have a go on our free blackjack page, or check out one of the recommended casinos where you can try out games for play money.

Managing Your Bankroll

When you're starting out as a new player, learn to use the casino's 'autoplay' mode to help you (the computer will do all the work for you) or click on the Help section where you can brush up on the rules and table layout.

Once you've learned the rules, you need to manage your bankroll properly. Other than a blackjack, which pays 3/2 if dealt at the start of a hand, a winning hand pays 1/1 (even money). This can help you plan your bets easily. Only risk 5% of your bankroll per hand and never deviate. So, if you have CAD100, find a table that lets you bet CAD5 per hand.

Similarly, if you only have 10 bucks, find a table where you can bet 50c a time. You won't have trouble online; every good casino offers games that are perfect for casual players.

Knowing When to Hit

Playing blackjack isn't rocket science: you're dealt two cards, and you have to make a decision: hit (take more cards) or stand (take no more cards).

Your decision is always based on your cards but also on the dealer's up-card (the one card the dealer shows at the start).

So, if you have a total of 4 or 8, and the dealer has a low card, always hit. A dealer will have to hit twice in most cases here and has a risk of busting. You don't need to take that risk, so aim for a 14 or 18 (as in this case), then stand.

Conversely, if you have a relatively high hand, say 13-16, and the dealer is showing a picture card, keep hitting. You don't want to stand, then lose to a blackjack or 20 when the dealer pulls an ace or king out of the deck. Hit and aim for 21; it's worth the risk.

Check the rules before you begin: some tables require a dealer to always hit on a soft 16, that is, a hand with an Ace in that totals 16. Other tables are different and that can drastically change the dynamics of the game.

Doubling Down

If you're dealt 10 or 11, always double down. It will be expected of you in a live casino environment, when other players are allowed to bet on your hand too, so don't disappoint.

Doubling down involves making a second bet on your hand to receive one more card, and one card only. It's a good move to get to 20 or 21, especially if the dealer is showing a low card from 2-6, which puts him in danger of hitting to a bust.

Win More at Canadian Online Blackjack Sites

Blackjack on the web is fun, fast and profitable. Master the basics and then move on to exciting variants like Multi-Hand Blackjack or Surrender that you can only find on the web.

Plus, blackjack can often contribute towards generous welcome bonuses when you sign up. Make a CAD deposit, play as much blackjack as you can, then watch as the free casino cash comes rolling in.

Five Fast Tips for Improving your Blackjack

1 - Print Out a Cheat Sheet

A good first tip for all online blackjack players is to memorise the basic strategy chart for hitting, standing, doubling, and splitting. You'll find one easily on the Internet. Print off a cheat sheet and keep it handy by the keyboard the next time you play.

Cheat sheets are great for helping you make the right decision depending on both your cards, the up-card of the dealer, and the number of decks being used in the game.

Online Blackjack Tips

2 - Never Take Insurance Bets

“Insurance bets are offered by most online blackjack games, but don't be tempted. You're better off trying for the 3/2 paid on your own blackjack.

Insurance bets are offered by most online blackjack games, but don't be tempted. You're better off trying for the 3/2 paid on your own blackjack rather than the even-money (1/1) odds on the dealer having a blackjack.

Plus, hunt out games where the dealer stands on 17. When a dealer hits a soft 17 it gives the house an increased edge.

3 - Vary Your Betting Stakes

Variation is an important part of any blackjack game so many pros advise to vary betting amounts according to your results. So, if you are winning increase the amount you are betting, and decrease it if losing. Adjusting stakes will lead to a healthier bankroll over the long term.

4 - Avoid Card Counting

Don't bother with card counting or other tracking systems, particularly online. It's very hard to master, and in any case land-based casinos are very adept at spotting card counters, and even very good ones can be ejected and banned for life. Plus, your face will be sent round every other casino and you'll be barred from those too.

5 - Always Split Aces and Eights

OK, so splitting cards means a second bet, and if you're on a tight bankroll that can soon eat into your chips. But splitting gives you two chances to beat the dealer and you need every chance you can get. Seize the initiative and watch your profits grow.

Want to improve your game further? Have a look at our blackjack strategy guide to learn more.

Since blackjack is the one casino game where skill truly matters, it’s important for players to test different strategies and start incorporating them into their gameplay. But before you test any of the blackjack systems out there, there’s a simple truth you must realise – every valid blackjack strategy is based on logic and maths. Therefore, the best strategy you can adopt right away would be to leave your superstitions behind, forget about your ‘winning rituals’ and trust only the numbers. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best tactics you can adopt to help you win at online blackjack every time you play.

Tip #1: Pick the Right Casino

Players often ignore this all-important step, so I decided to start precisely with it. I cannot emphasise enough how big of a factor picking a good casino site is for your future success at beating the game. And that process is not even that hard – the trick is to pick a reputable, well-known casino that features a lot of blackjack games and generous bonuses that you can use on them. Here are three stellar examples:

But how in fact does your choice of casino impact your winning chances? Truth is that not all online casinos are safe and trustworthy. Moreover, even if you have won fair and square, some of them might refuse to pay out your winnings. By choosing a licensed and regulated casino, such as the ones we recommend, you secure yourself a fair chance at winning and, most importantly, guaranteed payouts.

Tip #2: Pick the Right Blackjack Variant

Picking the right game variant is yet another important part of an all-encompassing blackjack strategy. The most important detail about each game is undoubtedly the house edge – the lower it is, the better. Here is a comparison between the house edges of some of the most popular online blackjack games in the UK:

As you can see, the house edge of these games is already quite low (just for reference, most slot games have a house edge of 4%-6%). Still, this is the first thing you should check before trying a new blackjack game. There are, in fact, some online blackjack games that have a house edge over 1% and even over 2%. If your goal is to win and not just to have fun, then you should definitely stay clear of those.

Tip #3: Know Your Game Inside Out

Not all blackjack games are made from the same mold. In fact, there are hardly any two blackjack variations that have exactly the same rules. Therefore, applying the same basic strategy for different games simply won’t work. Every little detail about the game matters as it affects the house edge. You can learn about the specific rules of each variant from the help section of the game. Here is what information you should be looking for if you want to find the best blackjack strategy for the game you’ve chosen.

• How much does a blackjack pay?
• How many decks are in the shoe?
• Can you double on any two cards or only with specific total?
• When can you split your hand and up to how many times?
• Are you allowed to double after splitting a hand?
• Are you allowed to hit split aces?
• Do you have the option to surrender and in which cases?
• Does the dealer hit a soft seventeen?
• Is there a 5-, 6- or a 7-card Charlie?

Basic Blackjack Tips

Another particularity you should be aware of when searching for a suitable online blackjack strategy is that there are some blackjack games that bear the same name but have different rules and, consequently, different house edge. This is due to the fact that the games are provided by different software developers. For example, Classic Blackjack by Microgaming has a house edge of merely 0.13% while the game of the same name developed by NetEnt has a house edge of 0.35%. A big difference, indeed.

Tip #4: Use a Basic Blackjack Strategy Card

Hopefully, you’ve followed our tips for playing blackjack and have already chosen a specific game to play, where to play it and you’ve familiarised yourself with all its rules. Now it’s time to find a basic blackjack strategy card specific to your game of choice which will help you make the right decision in any situation.

Below, you can see an example of a strategy card that’s especially created for Playtech’s Blackjack Pro. The image clearly shows how you should play against any given dealer upcard according to the hand you’re holding. The complete strategy chart for each different blackjack variation should consist of three parts – one for hard hands, one for soft hands and one for pairs.

The easiest way to find an optimal blackjack strategy chart for the game you want to try is to generate it yourself using one of the many blackjack basic strategy calculators you can find online. Using these strategy cards is very suitable for beginners since they are extremely easy to read and at the same time they are math-based. Still, there are some things that these cards don’t cover. They don’t tell you what to do with the side bets, how much to bet and whether card counting could help you. Those are exactly the topics that we’re going to cover next.

The Perfect Blackjack Strategy for Side Bets

As we have already established in the previous paragraphs, strategy cards can be very useful when playing most blackjack games, especially for the beginners. Yet, as you may have noticed, they don’t cover any side bets whatsoever. After all, the perfect blackjack strategy is the one that takes into account all aspects of the game and this includes whether or not to place bonus bets and if yes – how much to bet.

The truth is that blackjack is a casino game with an extremely low house edge. On top of that, skilled players are able to reduce this minimal advantage even further by adopting various blackjack strategies. This is why, in the hopes to increase the house edge and, consequently, the revenues, the casinos started adding extra decks to the different blackjack variations and came up with different side bets. And while these side bets definitely add fun and variety to te game, they make players lose money, slowly but surely.

So, it’s easy to see that the best strategy for blackjack side bets is actually not to place any! Just stick to the strategy cards until you’ve gained enough experience to start testing more advanced tactics.

What About Card Counting?

When most new players hear the words ‘blackjack strategies’, they immediately think of card counting. While this strategy may still be possible in some brick-and-mortar casinos (although, in general, it’s against the house rules or at least it’s frowned upon), it is virtually unfeasible in online casinos where the deck is shuffled after each hand. The only exception to this rule is live dealer blackjack. So, if you want to try some card counting techniques while playing online, your only option is to play live blackjack games.

But what actually is card counting and can it really help you beat the casino? Card counting is a blackjack technique that helps you follow the number of high and low cards in the shoe thus giving you some insight as to what type of card might come next – a bit of knowledge that can, indeed, tip the scales in your direction. The easiest card counting system in blackjack is called Hi-Lo and works like this: for each low card (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) you see you add one point and for each high card (10, J, Q, K, A) you deduct one. The higher the count, the bigger the chances to get 10-valued cards, which are generally considered ‘good’ for the player (and bad for the dealer).

Which Is the Best Blackjack Betting System?

As we have already established, using a blackjack strategy card can help you make the right decision in any given situation, but it doesn’t answer the important question players always ask themselves ‘How much should I bet?’ As you probably already know, there are many betting systems out there, many of which claim to be a sure way to beat any online blackjack game. A huge part of those systems are progressive betting systems which are based on the idea that if you’ve lost a number of times, you’re bound to win soon. This, of course, is not true and is often referred to as gambler’s fallacy – a mistaken notion that has claimed many victims through the ages.

The plain and simple truth is that no betting system on its own can help you beat the house, but some can help you improve your odds even more when combined with other blackjack strategies. For example, when using card counting and basic strategy, you can allow yourself to increase the bet amount when the count is high, as then the strategy cards are considered to be ‘more correct’ and your chances at winning are higher. But, as we already said, this can only work if you’re playing live dealer games. The best betting strategy for RNG games, on the other hand, is to simply bet the same amount over and over again while wagering some convenient casino bonus – a topic that we’re going to discuss a little bit further down the page.

Tip #5: Test in Demo Mode

Now that you have a complete overview of an all-encompassing online blackjack strategy, you probably feel ready to finally start playing. But before you go and bet real money, it’s highly recommended that you first test your skills with play money. Going back to our example with Blackjack Pro by Playtech, we’ve prepared a demo version of the game below that you can try for free. Don’t forget to use the strategy card that we presented to you to secure yourself the best odds.

Something else that you can do while playing in demo mode is to practice your card-counting skills, even though in all RNG games the shoe is virtually shuffled after each hand. After all, there are no demo versions of live blackjack, so your only option is to practice on their computerised versions.

Tip #6: Sync Your Bonus and Blackjack Strategies

Some of the biggest advantages of playing on the Internet vs playing at land-based casinos are undoubtedly the generous bonus opportunities that online casinos offer. Even if the casino has a slight advantage in any given game, playing with extra money that isn’t actually yours and being allowed to keep the winnings surely gives the players some edge. When it comes to blackjack, combining the already low house edge of the game with a solid math-based strategy and a suitable bonus is the most certain way to beat the casino. Of course, every bonus comes with its terms and conditions that are sometimes favourable but other times – not so much.

First of all, there’s always a wagering requirement that you have to fulfil before you can withdraw the winnings generated from the bonus. This requirement in most cases is set at 20 to 40 times the bonus plus the deposit amount. Furthermore, it’s important to take into account the fact that blackjack games don’t contribute at 100% toward the wagering requirement due to the fact that they have a pretty low house edge and give the players great winning odds. Usually, the wagering contribution for the game is set anywhere between 5% and 10%, the higher it is, of course, the better. Other important details you should take into account are the validity period of the bonus and the minimum deposit required to claim it.

All that said, let us present to you an easy-to-claim bonus that is perfect for beginners and offered by a casino that has a great array of blackjack games with both classic and innovative variants – Ladbrokes. At the moment, they offer a 100% bonus up to £500 to all new players that make minimum deposit of £20 at the casino – a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. If you agree with me and are ready to start playing for real money, then click the link below and you’ll be safely redirected to the official website of the operator:

Sure enough, this is not the only available bonus offer that is suitable for playing blackjack online, in fact, most UK casino sites give you the opportunity to wager bonus money on all their blackjack games. So, if you want to find more great opportunities to play blackjack with bonus money, then make sure you also check out our dedicated bonus page.

Final Thoughts and Advice for Long-Term Success

In conclusion, the best blackjack strategy you can adopt is the one that fully corresponds to the game variation you’ve chosen to play. Be careful to only use a game plan that has been created for the particular type of blackjack you’re playing. Otherwise, you won’t be able to achieve the results you expect.

Blackjack Tips Card

Beginners, find yourselves a strategy card for the variation you play and stick with it. Combine it with a good bonus and you can expect a moderate return in the long run. Your number one priority should be to practice and learn. The more experienced players can, on the other hand, test their card counting skills against some unsuspecting dealer at a live casino of their choice – remember, you can see them, but they cannot see you! Furthermore, to make sure that you get the whole picture as to how to beat this game, you can also take a look at some game strategies analysed.

Tips For Playing Blackjack

Last but not least, don’t forget to have fun! After all, it’s a game and its main purpose is to entertain you. Not getting too stressed about winning is a good tactic as it will help you keep a cool head and make better decisions while playing.