Blackjack used to be confined to brick and mortar casinos, which greatly limited the number of games and people able to play. Now with online games, online blackjack has become more accessible than ever before. Gameplay at traditional casinos requires planning and travel, and once there have a lot of distractions. Online platforms allow players from all over India and the world the opportunity to play from the comfort of their own homes. Players decide when they want to play, and being at home helps provide the helpful comfort and concentration to win. Being an effective blackjack player requires knowledge, focus, patience, and courage. All of these skills can be fine-tuned more easily without the chaos of a traditional in-person casino.
History of Blackjack
While the exact origins of the game are unknown, it is generally thought that it began in France in the 1700s. It is likely derived from a combination of two similar games that were popular at the time. Blackjack has evolved greatly over the years and continues to do so. Today there are multiple variations of the game, each with a unique set of rules. Even with all these options, the basic rules of standard blackjack are fairly straightforward.
Rules of Blackjack
The objective of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21, which is called busting. Face cards are worth 10, Aces can be either 1 or 11, whichever makes a better hand, and numbered cards keep their value. The dealer gives each player two cards (including themselves), but one of the dealer’s cards remains face down until the players decide to stand with their hands. Depending on their cards, there are a few options that players have. If their hand permits, now is when players can either split or double down, (read below for further information on these strategies). If they would like additional cards, players hit one card at a time until they either reach a number their happy with or bust.
Keep in mind that the dealer will continue to hit until they reach at least 17 or bust. This is a casino standard and necessary to know to make the best decision of whether you should hit or stand. After each player stands with their hand, the dealer reveals their face down card, and depending on the value will either hit or stay. It’s also important to remember that in blackjack, the casino always has the advantage, but there are ways for players to help even the playing field.
Strategies while playing Blackjack
Blackjack is much more than a game of sheer luck and chance. The most successful players employ various strategies and have considerable knowledge of the game. These strategies are very important to winning larger bets more often.
One of these strategies is called splitting, which can only be done if dealt a pair. If you decide to split, it’s necessary to double your bet by placing your original wager on the second hand. Then players hit on each hand until they’re ready to stand or they bust. Though many factors come into play when deciding whether or not to split, there are a few rules that are usually followed. Most players will always split Aces and eights, while never splitting nines or tens. Blackjack is all about odds and getting the highest hand in the most logical way, and following these rules is a wise and strategic decision in most cases.
Doubling down is another strategy that many players use. Players must make the decision to double down after they’re dealt their first two cards. Here, players double their original bet and get only one additional card from the dealer. Unlike splitting, there are less definitive circumstances about when is the best time to double down. Many players choose to double when their original hand totals 11. It is also common to do so when their hand totals 9 or 10, but only if you do not have an Ace and the dealer has an up card of a 5 or 6. Knowing the best time to double down can be challenging. In order to have a better idea of when to use this strategy, many players count cards to better anticipate what the remaining cards might be.
Counting cards
Contrary to popular belief counting cards is not illegal. While there are steps that casinos often take to thwart card counters, it is not actually against the rules. Luckily for online players, being outside of the traditional casino setting makes this strategy much easier to practice. The process of counting cards is actually pretty straightforward. First you assign a numerical value to each card in the deck. Cards 2-6 receive +1 (positive), 7-9 receive 0 (zero), and 10-Ace receive -1 (negative). As cards are dealt, players counting cards keep a running total of the deck value, which refers to the cards remaining to be dealt. When the count is positive, it benefits the players and when negative it benefits the dealer. Players counting use the total to decide whether to make smaller or larger bets.
Bonuses and Live Casinos
The most successful blackjack players have years of experience and luckily with online gaming there are a lot of ways to get more playing time without spending too much money. Free blackjack is offered online and a great way to learn through practice and to get a rhythm of the game. Casinos also offer blackjack bonuses, which give the player additional free money to play with after making initial deposits into their accounts. While players use some of their own money it’s a great way to play without risking as much. These online forums provide players all the tools necessary to refine their game. For players that crave a more traditional setting, some brick and mortar casinos offer live play using human dealers and live stream technology. Any way you like to play, there are a multitude of ways for you to play often and win big.