Menu Close

Online Blackjack Strategy: 11 Tips & Tricks for New Players

Online Blackjack Strategy guide

When it comes to playing blackjack, there are a lot of different strategies that players can use in order to improve their odds of winning.

However, when playing on your PC, tablet or mobile, there are a few additional online blackjack strategy rules that players need to keep in mind in order to ensure they have the best possible experience.

In this tutorial, I’ll take a look at some of the most important tips and tricks for new online blackjack players that could help you get off to a winning start.

Learn the Basic Rules of Blackjack

The first and most important thing that all blackjack players need to do, whether playing online or in a real casino, is to learn the basic rules of the game.

Without wishing to state the obvious – if you don’t know the rules, it’s impossible to make informed decisions about how to play each hand, which will ultimately lead to more losses than wins.

If you’re new to blackjack, or just need a refresher on the rules, check out our comprehensive guide to the rules of blackjack.

Know When to Hit and Stand

One of the most important decisions that blackjack players need to make is whether to hit or stand on each hand. This decision is based on a number of factors, including the player’s hand value, the dealer’s upcard, and the current blackjack rules in effect.

To make things simple, here are a few general rules of thumb that can help you make the right decision:

  • If your hand value is 11 or less, always hit.
  • If your hand value is 12 and the dealer’s upcard is a 2 or 3, hit.
  • If your hand value is 12 and the dealer’s upcard is a 4, 5, or 6, stand.
  • If your hand value is 13-16 and the dealer’s upcard is a 2 or 3, 4, 5, or 6, stand.
  • If your hand value is 13-16 and the dealer’s upcard is 7 or better, hit.
  • If your hand value is 17 or more, always stand.

Of course, these are just general guidelines and there are many other factors that need to be considered when making the decision to hit or stand. For a more in-depth look at when to hit and stand, check out our guide.

Use a Blackjack Strategy Chart

One of the best ways to improve your odds of winning at online blackjack is to use a blackjack strategy chart. This is a simple chart that shows you the optimal decision for every possible hand in blackjack, based on the dealer’s upcard.

As well as showing you when to hit and stand, an online blackjack strategy chart will also show you when to split pairs and when to double down. These are important plays that can increase your RTP significantly when used correctly.

If you’re serious about winning at online blackjack, it’s well worth taking the time to memorize or print out a blackjack strategy chart. This will help you make the right decision on every hand and ultimately lead to more wins than losses.

Don’t Take Insurance

One of the most common mistakes that blackjack players make is taking insurance when the dealer has an Ace showing. Insurance is a side bet that pays 2-1 if the dealer has blackjack, but it’s a bad bet for the player because it has a high house edge.

In fact, the only time you should ever take insurance is if you’re counting cards and have a good idea that the dealer has blackjack. For everyone else, it’s best to just skip insurance and focus on playing your hand.

Don’t Rely on Card Counting

If you learn to count cards successfully, it IS a way to beat the casino blackjack tables in the long term. However, this is not an effective strategy when playing online.

This is because online blackjack games use random number generators (RNGs) to deal the cards, and these work on the premise that the deck is reshuffled after every hand.

If you play at a live dealer blackjack table then it’s a little different, because the dealer is a real person using real cards. However, even in these games, the decks are shuffled far more regularly than they would be in a real-world casino.

This means that it’s impossible to count cards or predict what card will be dealt next. As a result, card counting is not an effective strategy for online blackjack players.

Don’t Chase Losses

One of the most important things to remember when playing online blackjack is to never chase your losses. This is a common mistake that players make when they start losing money, and it can quickly lead to blowing your entire bankroll.

If you start losing money while playing online blackjack, the best thing to do is take a break and come back later when you’re feeling more level-headed. Chasing your losses will only lead to more losses, so it’s best to just walk away until you can afford to lose again.

Play for Free at First to Get the Hang of It

If you’re new to online blackjack, or just want to get a feel for how it works before risking any money, it’s a good idea to play for free first. Most online casinos offer free blackjack games that you can play without having to sign up or deposit any money.

Playing for free is a great way to learn the ropes of online blackjack without having to worry about losing any money. Once you feel confident enough to start playing for real money, you can then sign up and deposit at an online casino.

Choose a Reputable Online Casino

When playing online blackjack for real money, it’s important to choose a reputable online casino. There are many great casinos out there, but there are also some that you should avoid.

The best way to find a reputable casino is to read independent online casino reviews from industry experts, or ask for recommendations from friends who play online blackjack.

It’s important to bear in mind that some online casinos might be better for certain types of players. For example, some very good casinos specialize in online slots, and even though they are reputable, they may not have a good range of games for blackjack players.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to look for specialist reviews of the best online blackjack apps rather than just general casino ratings.

Once you find a few blackjack sites that you think look promising, you can decide which one you like the look of and go from there.

Make a Betting Strategy and Stick to It

One of the most important things to remember when playing online blackjack is to have a betting strategy and stick to it. Many players make the mistake of increasing their bets when they’re losing and decreasing them when they’re winning.

The number one rookie mistake is to believe that your staking system such as Blackjack Martingale can beat the house. It can’t – that is mathematically impossible, and decisions based on flawed logic will almost always lose money.

Instead, you should have a sensible betting strategy that you stick to no matter what, and that can preserve your bankroll and keep you in the game for as long as possible.

Use Bonuses Wisely

Many online casinos offer bonuses to blackjack players, and these can be a great way to increase your bankroll. However, it’s important to use these bonuses wisely, or you could end up losing all of your winnings.

Most blackjack bonuses have wagering requirements that must be met before you can withdraw any money. This means that you’ll need to play through a certain amount of money before you can access your bonus winnings.

If you’re not careful, it’s easy to blow through your bankroll trying to meet the wagering requirements. It’s important to read the terms and conditions of any bonus offer before claiming it, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.

Practice, practice, practice!

The best way to get better at online blackjack is to practice as much as you can. There are many free blackjack games available online, so there’s no excuse not to play a few hands every day.

The more you play, the more comfortable you’ll become with the game, and the better your chances of winning will be. If you’re serious about becoming a winning online blackjack player, then you need to put in the time and effort to practice.

Wrapping Up

These are just a few of the many tips and tricks that can help you win at online blackjack. If you take the time to learn and master these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful blackjack player.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to playing blackjack. An online blackjack strategy that works for one player might not work for another. It’s important to find what works best for you and stick to it. With enough practice and patience, you’ll be raking in the winnings in no time.

Last Updated on October 11, 2022

David Graham
Posted in Strategy

You May Also Like