Strategies To Help With Online Blackjack

by Simon M Skinner

Want to increase your odds of winning in blackjack, whether you're playing at a casino or from the comfort of your home? Here are a few simple rules collected from the advice given by online players.

Paying attention to just a few things will help you reduce the house's edge and improve your chances of going away with a little bit of money. No gambling tip will ever be a sure thing, but if you know what you're doing, there are some pitfalls you can avoid.

If you have a nine or lower, it's time to hit. A ten or eleven means you should double down, as long as your cards add up to more than the upcard the dealer is showing. If that's not the case, hit.

When holding between 12 and 16 you should only hit when the dealer is showing a seven or higher. This is because you need to try to beat his high card and likely high outcome. However, if you have 17 or more you should stand since the likelihood is high that you will bust.

Different rules apply when you are holding an Ace, which gives you a soft hand. A soft 17 for example is an Ace and a six, which can be 17 or 7 depending on how you choose to play the Ace.

If you have numbers between thirteen and eighteen in this playing style, double down if the dealer has five or six as an upcard. Seventeen or lower should be a hit, and eighteen should be a hit if the dealer's card is six or lower.

When the dealer is showing a seven or higher you should stand, as you should when you have seventeen or more. There are also additional rules concerning pairs.

Never split tens, fours, or fives, but always split aces and eights, as well as all other pairs if the dealer has an upcard of six or less.

That's just some basic blackjack strategy. However, there are a few other things to remember, too. Check out players and tables to find a fun, fast paced playing environment that offers minimal interruption and interference.

If you're playing in person, avoid drunk players. If you're online or at a casino, slow players are also an issue.

You should not accept the dealer's offer for insurance unless you have been counting cards and know the exact odds of a situation.

Don't sit down at any table where the bet size is more than a twentieth of your bankroll. Your risk is lessened and you'll keep your money longer. This applies to lots of other games, too. Treat everyone with courtesy and respect, including the dealer, and make sure to have fun!