Online Blackjack
Online blackjack is an exhilarating card game that’s been around for centuries. It’s a casino game that’s successfully made the great leap from land based casinos to the edifying heights of internet-based gaming platforms. Although the rules and game play of blackjack are simplicity itself, it demands a certain amount of skill and plenty of strategising to beat the dealer. This great gambling opportunity has been tweaked and revised over the centuries to create a stable of blackjack variants that are popular in different global destinations. There’s Pontoon, Spanish Blackjack and Vegas Strip that originate in the UK, Europe and the USA respectively. Shift through to the glamorous gaming destinations online and you’ll discover a bonanza comprising dozens of different versions, some of which are exclusive to particular software providers. At GamblersCenter.com we’ve listed online casinos that not only offer generous casino bonuses and secure gaming guaranteed but uninterrupted access to free blackjack games in all the popular variants. Register an account right now and practice, practice, practice so that you can take the dealer down and claim the prestigious pot on more than one occasion!
The Basics of Blackjack
In online blackjack you go head to head with the dealer. The aim of the game is to accumulate a points total greater than that of the dealer’s without going over 21. Although versions may differ blackjack is usually played with a single deck of 52 cards that are shuffled between each round. Aces count as one or 11, picture cards as 10 and all the other cards are commensurate with their face value. You have to ante up to kick start the action. Each player is dealt two face up cards while the dealer has one up card and one hole card. You then have to make a decision based on the total of your cards. You can opt to:
- Stand – remain with the cards in hand
- Hit – request another card
- Take out insurance – if you believe the dealer is holding 21
- Double down – double your bet after being dealt your first two cards. Thereafter you are permitted only one more card
- Split – divide pairs into two different hands
- Surrender – throw in your cards, if permitted
Once all decisions are made the dealer reveals his hole card. If the dealer’s total is over 21, he goes bust and loses the bet. If the points total is greater than the players’ but less or equal to 21, the dealer wins!
Great Online Blackjack Variants
To create a sustainable blackjack community online many of the best software providers have re-invented the game rules to create a selection of brilliant variants. There are traditional single hand blackjacks and rapid multi-hand variants where it’s possible to play up to five hands at a time. You’ll discover Double Exposure, where the dealer reveals both his cards at the get go to enhance your win probability, and Blackjack Switch, where the dealer can replace one two-card hand with another. There’s Blackjack Surrender, where you can throw in your cards and only lose half your stake, and Blackjack Pro Series, a sophisticated 3D gaming experience where you can choose to play up to three hands at a time. Crowd pleasers are the progressive games where for an optional side bet you can snap up prodigious jackpot amounts! You can explore all these options online by playing free blackjack in all the best loved versions at one of our sizzling hot gaming destinations online.
Blackjack Strategy
Each game variant has its own particular strategy that can be learnt over time. One of the great aspects of gaming online is that you can play your favourite blackjack with all the requisite strategy information close at hand. There are no live dealers or casino personnel hovering around to scupper your chances of prolific wins. The best way to optimise your time at the tables is to play free online blackjack until you are completely familiar with all the nuances of one of the greatest casino card games ever invented. There’s a basic strategy table that clearly sets out all the best moves or decisions you should make based on the total of the cards in hand. Low value cards are good indicators that you should request a hit. A points total of 19 or above is a sign that you should stand with the cards in hand. We’ve provided a strategy snapshot to help you on your way. Take what you learn an practice for free by clicking here.
If your hand totals:
- 19 or 20 – stand
- 18 – hit if the dealer has 9 or Ace; stand if the dealer shows 2, 7 or 8 and double down if the dealer has 3, 4, 5 or 6
- 17 – hit if the dealer has 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace and double down if the dealer has 3, 4, 5 or 6
- 16 or 15 – hit if the dealer has a points total of 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace and double down on 4, 5 or 6
- 14 or 13 – hit if the dealer’s total is 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace and double down on 5 or 6.
Online Blackjack Playing Tips
Apart from opting for free online blackjack games you can enhance your win probability by selecting variants that are known for their low house edge or allow you to play multiple hands at the same time. Vegas Strip, for one, is a great place to start as you can apply the basic strategy on a variant that offers a remarkably low house edge. Progressive games are worth their weight in gold. Apart from huge jackpots, you can win a number of additional payouts that are pretty impressive in size. Check out GamblersCenter.com for a great gaming venue where you can explore the payout potential in all its dynamic variants.
