Blackjack for Beginners: Easy Strategies and How to Start Online

There’s nothing too complicated about blackjack and its simplicity is what makes it so popular. Unlike many other casino games, it is not a pure game of chance. You can play it smartly, strategize, and up your odds to win against the house if you’re smart. Even if you’re just starting to learn blackjack, there’s no need to worry too much. With the few basic strategies laid out below, and direction on how to start your online casino adventure you’ll get up to speed in no time. First, let’s see what blackjack is essentially.
Blackjack Basics
Blackjack is a card game in which each player is pitted only against the dealer. The goal of the game is to reach 21 as the ultimate number combo, and not to go overboard which is called a bust. A round is won even if your total is under 21. It matters only that you have more than the dealer. Most standard versions of blackjack require the dealer to draw cards up until has at least 17. The blackjack calculus is easy, as all cards from 2 to 10 are worth their value, face cards are worth 10, while an Ace depending on your card combo is worth either 1 or 11. In each round the dealer gives you two cards face up, while one of his is face up and other is face down, and when four cards are on the table you decide to either hold or bet. The perfect combo is an A with any face card, which is called a blackjack. And that’s how you play the game or how they would say it in Thailand แบล็คแจ็ค เล่นยังไง.
The Insights of a Round
Each round of blackjack is quite similar. First you place the bet and wait for the dealer to give you two cards, and to draw two for himself. The two you receive are face up while the dealer has one facing down. Here is where you decide what to do next, but we’ll go into details in the next paragraph. When you’ve made your decision, the dealer makes his move. Whoever is closer to 21 wins.
The in-game Options
Regardless if you’re playing at an land based casino or online at Bitcasino the moves you can make when the game starts are identical. If your two cards are not putting you into the vicinity of 21, you need to hit, and that means drawing another hand. If you’re satisfied with your combo you can stand and stick to your current hand. The most interesting option in our opinion is to double down, which means you’re doubling your bet while only choosing an option to draw one more card. When you draw identical cards, there is also an option to split your hands into two hands. The experts of this game say that you always split the Aces and the 8s, while you think twice about all other hands. Some blackjack versions allow the players to surrender their hands which rewards them with half of their initial bet.
The Basic Blackjack Strategies
Blackjack is a card game that has been around for centuries. There are advanced ways to play the game, and some that operate in the gray area such as card counting. We are going to give you the ones you can apply from the start of your rookie blackjack season. What we’re going to list below can be seen as blackjack strategies but also as rules you ought to respect as a beginner.
- Whenever you hit 17, stand on it. The risk of busting at 17 is too high to risk it all. Stand your ground and let the dealer take on the risk.
- Blackjack is not a game for defensive strategies. Whenever you have 11 or less you ought to hit on it regardless of the dealer’s hand. Drawing a card here is not only a good strategy, it is pure blackjack logic.
- When you’re in the blackjack purgatory and your hands are anywhere between 12-16 but the dealer has a 7 or a higher number you are advised to hit. When the dealer is in a better position you need to defend and try to improve your hand, so drawing is wiser as an attacking move rather than hoping for the dealer to not have luck or to bust.
- In a situation where the dealer has the unfortunate 2-6 hand while you’re in that 12-16 region, it is wise to wait for the round to unfold. Stand your ground and let the dealer draw cards. The chances are higher that he’s going to bust with those cards.
- Aces and 8s are meant to be spit as we already mentioned. It is not a rule, but a viable in-game strategy. It is done because Aces give you a chance for double blackjack. At the same time two 8s are a weak hand combined but good enough if you pair them with face cards or aces after a split.
- The same way you need to split the Aces and 8s, you should never do the same with 5s and 10s. The latter is a good hand giving you 20 against anything that the dealer might have, while two 5s are better left as they are and are seen as perfect hands for doubling down.
As a beginner these moves will keep you afloat as long you take good care of your bankroll. For any advanced strategies you need to spend some time playing the game with low bets and at the beginners level. If you feel that you’re ready to start playing blackjack, here is how to do it online.
How to Start Playing Blackjack Online
We’re living in an era of online gambling. It is easier than ever to find your favorite casino game and to play it online. Technology has really advanced to the point where you can access online casinos and sportsbooks anyplace anywhere and we’re all for it (responsibly, of course). Here are the steps you need to take for the best possible experience of playing blackjack online.
- First, and that’s vital in an era where not all people on the web are good people, is to find a reputable online gambling platform. There’s plenty of those, but if you’re unsure, look for a licensed online casino, with good reviews, which is legal in your country, and has no red flags. If there’s a website that has bonuses and promos that look too good to be true, they probably are.
- Play demo first. While blackjack is easy to learn, it will take a while before you’re good at it. So, the wise thing to do is to play it for free for a while. While having winning hands and not having any money to show for it might be frustrating at times, playing for real money once you’re ready is a better thing to do.
- Once the real money is on the line, you need to set a budget. Bankroll is vital regardless of the game you play. Set a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or any budget you like once you set it, and it’s within your means, stick to it. Going over the budget you’ve set is financially irresponsible and can take the fun out of the game. You do not want that to happen.
- Always start with small bets. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a hot streak, and if you’ve been winning for a while now your bankroll is through the roof. You need to bet small at first. Beginners’ luck is real. So resist the urge to increase the bets. Use the small ones all the way until you feel confident in your blackjack ability. Betting small is not a matter of money, it is a question of skill.
- Do not rely on overly complicated betting strategies. This text was meant to help you as a beginner. Trust us, blackjack has been around for centuries, it will take a while for you to exit your rookie years as a blackjack player. So, before you resort to using systems such as the Martingale one, use the simple rules we’ve laid for you here. At least for a while.
With everything above said, we think you’re prepared to start your blackjack adventure. One hand at a time.