Online Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the world’s most popular (not to mention lucrative and famous) online casino games and like its land based cousin is an easy game to learn but a difficult game to master.
Blackjack – A brief history of one of the world’s most famous card games
Back in 1700 AD three games were brought together to form what was then an early form of the game of Blackjack. These three games were called “chemin de fer”, “French Ferme” and “vinget-et-un”. But it was not until the 1800’s that a simple rule change in America introduced a 10:1 bonus received when players drew the Jack of Clubs (or Spades) along with the Ace of Spades that the game of Blackjack really took off.
Online Blackjack – why play it at the Gaming Club Online Casino?
Blackjack is Blackjack right? Wrong, because with online Blackjack at the Gaming Club the game is less pressurised and players get the chance to think strategically and at their own pace! This ensures that a player’s strategic thinking influences their chance of winning and makes the implementation of a winning Blackjack strategy an integral part of every online Blackjack game.
Blackjack – simple to play, difficult to master!
So how do you play online Blackjack? The object of online (and offline) Blackjack is to get a value of cards equal to or as close to 21 while beating the total of the dealer’s cards. To get the best possible card combination it must be remembered that numbered cards are worth their face value and face cards are worth 10 however Aces are worth 1 or 11 (the player decides). If the total of the cards exceeds 21 it is called a “bust” and the player or dealer (depending on who ‘busts”) loses. If the total of the value of cards is less than or equal to 21 the highest total wins. In the event of a tie no one wins and the hand is played again.
Basic Blackjack strategy – something all Blackjack players should know!
In Online Blackjack strategy is king and used correctly can change the entire outcome of a player’s game. Below is the basic Blackjack strategy that is used in a game that utilises three or more card decks.
| Your hand | Dealer's face-up card | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| Hard totals | ||||||||||
| 17-20 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Surrender | Surrender | Surrender |
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Surrender | Hit |
| 13-14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 11 | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit |
| 10 | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 9 | Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 5-8 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| Soft totals | ||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| A,8 A,9 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| A,7 | Stand | Double or Stand | Double or Stand | Double or Stand | Double or Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A,6 | Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A,4 A,5 | Hit | Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A,2 A,3 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| Pairs | ||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| A,A | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split |
| 10,10 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| 9,9 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Stand | Split | Split | Stand | Stand |
| 8,8 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split |
| 7,7 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 6,6 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 5,5 | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Double or Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 4,4 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 2,2 3,3 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Players must ALWAYS remember that there are variations to basic Blackjack strategy depending on house rules and the number of card decks being used in a specific game.
Online Blackjack Tips – making a good Blackjack game great!
Online Blackjack tips are not only a valuable way to make the most of a game, but when used in conjunction with a good Blackjack strategy they can help in gaining the upper hand over a casino.
The following are some of the most important tips to follow when playing online Blackjack:
- Only play online Blackjack when and if you can concentrate on your game 100%. Players need to make the best possible decisions for every hand.
- Always remember that every Blackjack game has a different set of rules. If a player is unfamiliar with a casino or a specific table then ALWAYS read the rules of the game first!
- When winning bet more and when losing bet less! This is a simple tip to follow and will ensure a player stays in the Blackjack game longer. The longer a player plays, the more chance they have of winning.
- Only double down if you have at least one face card and the dealer's hand is looking weak. Players must remember that this is a dangerous move and if not played correctly this can hurt their bankroll in a VERY bad way!
Online Blackjack – know your game!
“Vegas Style” Blackjack is an American version of the game that allows players to push if both player and dealer bust with the dealers bust being a higher total.
The French (Vingt-et-un) and the German (Siebzehn und Vier) versions of Blackjack (which we don’t offer unfortunately) are also extremely popular. Neither game offers the chance to split the ace and the ace always count as eleven. Two Aces also count as a Blackjack in both these games.
One of the most exciting forms of Blackjack is Elimination Blackjack. This is a tournament form of Blackjack and can be found in our Blackjack Tournaments section of this website. It must be noted that Elimination Blackjack has a different strategy to normal Blackjack and players play against each other and not just the house. Please read the Blackjack Tournament rules before playing for the first time.
For more information on our other great games please go to our Online Casino, Online Slots and Online Roulette pages.
