How to Play Online Blackjack

Online blackjack works in exactly the same way as land-based blackjack, meaning that the aim is to collect a total hand of 21, or get as close to 21 as possible. You’ll play against a dealer, and in some cases, other players too. 

The first thing you need to do is select a stake. You’ll then be dealt two face up cards. The dealer proceeds to deal one face up card and one face down card to himself/herself, at which point you choose which action to take:

• Hit: Request another card from the dealer.
• Stand: Refuse new cards while keeping the ones you have.
• Split: Match your original bet and split your hand into two.
• Double Down: Double your bet.
• Surrender: Folding, which means leaving the round without drawing any new cards.

This continues until the round ends, at which point any player who hits 21 wins the pot. If no player hits 21, the player with the closest total wins.

There are several online blackjack variations out there, some of which are live and others which you’ll find under the ‘Table Games’ section. 

RNG Blackjack 

RNG blackjack is a game where you’ll play against the provider. RNG stands for Random Number Generator, meaning that the results are entirely random to ensure fairness. You’ll find different versions of RNG blackjack such as Pontoon and Spanish 21.

Live Blackjack 

Blackjack games in the live casino offer a more authentic and social experience as you’ll be playing with real croupiers and other players. You’ll be able to communicate with them as you go along too, but more on this in a dedicated section of this article.

Using a Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart.

Player’s Hand / Dealer’s Upcard	Dealer’s Upcard
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
Hard Totals
8,8 or A,7	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
9,9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
10,10 or J,J or Q,Q or K,K	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
11 or A,2-A,10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13-16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
17-21	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Soft Totals
A,2-A,3 or A,2-A,4	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,4-A,5 or A,5-A,4	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,6 or A,7	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,8-A,9 or 9, A	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Pairs
2,2	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
3,3	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
4,4	H	H	H	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5,5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
6,6	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
7,7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
8,8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
9,9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
10,10 or J,J or Q,Q or K,K	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
A,A	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P

The first step to learning how to play online blackjack is the Blackjack Strategy Chart. This is a chart that gives you all the possible player + dealer combinations and what move would be wisest. You can print it out or keep a digital copy on your laptop or phone to help you as you go through the moves. 

It’s vital to remember that the Blackjack Strategy Chart provides guidelines and recommendations. Although it raises the odds by quite a bit, it is in no way a guarantee of reaching 21 or finishing off with the highest hand.

How to Read a Blackjack Strategy Chart

Knowing how to read the Blackjack Strategy Chart is crucial. You’ve got the dealer’s card at the top, and your total hand at the bottom. Find the connection between the two to see which letter you fall on. Check the key for the next recommended move. Remember that this is only a guide and does not guarantee a win. 

The Key

You’ll typically find the key to the right of the Blackjack Strategy Chart. This explains what the different letters mean, each of which represents a recommended move:

• H = Hit
• S = Stand
• P = Split
• D/H = Double down if possible. If not, then hit
• D/S = Double down if possible. If not, then stand
• P/H = Split if double down after split is possible. If not, then hit
• R/H = Surrender if possible. If not, then hit.

Tips

Studying the Blackjack Strategy Chart will definitely help you choose your next move, but before that, we want to give you a few takeaways that will help give you an overview of strategy guidelines:

• Stand on 17+: It’s always best to hold your hand if you have 17 or more as the chances of drawing a small number card are relatively low.
• Split 8s and Aces: Splitting this combination when appearing as a first hand gives you double the chances of finishing off with the higher hand.
• Never split 10s: Having 20 as a starting hand gives you extremely good chances of winning the round.

Live Blackjack Games

If you’re after a more authentic casino experience, we recommend checking out the live casino blackjack variations. Unlike RNG table games, you’ll be playing with other players in real time. Live blackjack tables have a chat feature that you can use to communicate with the croupier and with the other players, which adds a social aspect to the game.

You’ll find classic live blackjack tables along with special tables that offer special features. You’ll be able to learn how they work either by reading the rulebook. These could include multipliers and bonus rounds. 

You won’t be able to demo live blackjack games, but you can observe a few rounds without taking a seat at the table. 

Top Strategies for Online Blackjack

It’s important to remember that there is no magic formula that guarantees you big wins when playing blackjack at online casinos in the United States. However, there are strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning the pot. We’ve listed a few to get you started.

Know When to Double Down

Doubling down can be tricky, so it’s important to know when to use this bet type and when to avoid it. We suggest doubling down when you have a total of 11 in your hand as the possibility of receiving a card with a value of 10 is high, and this would give you an instant blackjack win.

Familiarize Yourself with the Blackjack Table

There are several variations of online blackjack. We recommend you familiarize yourself with them by using the demo versions of the RNG table games or by observing the ones in the live casino to get a feel of how each one works. You can then pick your favorite one when you feel ready to stake real cash.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Probably the most crucial tip of all – your budget. We recommend setting a reasonable budget before you start playing and stopping if you reach it. Keeping your gambling responsible is vital for both your mental and financial health. If you feel like your gaming is becoming problematic, reach out to a customer support agent immediately. 

What is Online Blackjack Insurance?

Insurance is a special side bet that you’ll typically see when the dealer’s face up card is an Ace since the possibilities of the face down card being a ten is high. Insurance appears as a side-bet option with odds of 2:1. Taking it will protect you in the case of the dealer having Blackjack.

Our recommendation is that you take this if you don’t have any ten-value cards and if you’re the only one playing against the dealer as it’s much more likely that you will lose the bet.

How to Choose an Online Blackjack Game

If you’re ready to begin playing online blackjack, here’s how to do it:

1. Sign up to a reliable online casino and make your first deposit.
2. Look through the RNG blackjack table games or through the live blackjack variations. 
3. List the ones you like.
4. Choose your favorite table and pay the buy-in, if any.
5. Place your first bet and enjoy.

There are so many variations of online blackjack that it may be overwhelming to choose the right one, which is why we recommend demoing the games before committing yourself with real cash.

Demo Blackjack

You’ll find demo versions of the RNG table games at most online casinos in the United States. We recommend using this mode before staking real cash to familiarize yourself with the basic rules and the differences between the variations. 

When it comes to live blackjack, you won’t be able to demo the games, but you can observe a few rounds without taking a seat at the table. This allows you to get an idea of how it works without making any financial commitment. You can also use the chat feature to ask any questions you may have.

Benefits of Playing Blackjack Online

There are many reasons American players choose to play blackjack online rather than go to a brick-and-mortar casino. The most obvious one is convenience as you can play from literally everywhere, even while on the train commute to work. 

Another major advantage is the ability to switch between one blackjack variant and another within seconds. You don’t need to walk across a hall and find a table with available seats as it’s all right there in the palm of your hand. 

Online blackjack also gives you the possibility to use a strategy chart with more time, meaning you can study your moves before making them.

FAQs

Can I win money when playing online blackjack?

Yes. You can win real money when you place real money bets on the online blackjack game of your choice. Remember that you may need to complete wagering requirements if you’re playing with bonus cash.

What basic blackjack strategy should I use?

The most basic blackjack strategy you can use is the Blackjack Strategy chart. You can find an example along with an explanation of how to read it at BettingLadies.com. Remember that this is only a guide and is not a foolproof strategy.

Where can I play online blackjack?

You can play online blackjack at several online casinos in the United States. We recommend you check out our BettingLadies.com top recommended online casinos to make sure you sign up to a reliable and secure gambling site.

What is blackjack insurance?

Blackjack insurance is a side bet that many online blackjack games offer when the dealer’s face up card is an Ace. This protects you in the case that the dealer’s face down card is of a value of 10.

Can I play online blackjack on my iPhone?

Of course, you can. Most online blackjack games are optimized to function on desktop, tablet, and smartphone devices, regardless of the operating system. All you need to do is register at one of BettingLadies.com’s trusted mobile casinos to claim your welcome bonus and get started.