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Special Blackjack Note April 2008 - As many of you may already know - and, perhaps for some, the reason you're here now - the recent movie '21' has taken the U.S., and indeed the globe, by storm.
The film, based on a true story, is about a group of MIT students who, playing blackjack, employed sophisticated card-counting techniques to legally take millions from several Vegas casinos. An interesting and engaging story on its own, the film has also led to another resurgence in popularity of the classic casino game of blackjack (a.k.a. "21").
If the film was your first introduction to the game, or even if you're a regular player at land-based casinos, a great way to try it out first-hand online is to take advantage of one of Gambling Planet's extensive selection of online blackjack websites. Here you can find exclusive bonus offers and play for free - with no commitment - at one of our featured and profiled online casinos. Casino Tropez and several other sites featured on our pages are currently offering Gambling Planet users a free, no-deposit-required $15. If you're looking to take your '21' enthusiasm a bit further, this is a wonderful opportunity to do so!
To learn more about the card counting techniques presented in the film and about the topic in general, be sure to check out Gambling Planet's recently added section devoted to card counting in blackjack. From the basics to more advanced techniques, we break it all down for you and separate fact from fiction.
Online Blackjack has certainly soared in popularity with the 2008 release of the blockbuster film "21." Now everyone wants to get in on the action, especially when the game's famous for giving players the best "edge" against the house!
Well, before you dive in, check out some of the rules and basics we've outlined below - along with some blackjack tips - before you take the plunge and begin playing blackjack online.
It's true that this is one of the best casino games out there and one, which gives you quite a bit of control. Nonetheless, you should be aware of the basics and potential pitfalls before jumping in.
To help you get started on the winning foot, we've provided a quick summary below explaining how to play blackjack online. With this introduction you'll be equipped with the knowledge you need to start playing - and winning!
All fired up about playing Blackjack right now? Check out the list of Top-Ranking Online Casinos or get the latest scoop on Cash Bonuses, Free Blackjack games and more... with Gambling Planet's trusted Casino Reviews.
Playing blackjack online is basically the same as playing in a land-based casino. The action is played out pretty much the same way, though online blackjack certainly has its advantages.
When playing online blackjack games you'll notice that there is one dealer and normally between one and five players. Before the dealer begins to deal, players set their wagers down on the table. Depending on which table you're playing at, the "minimum" (or least amount you can bet at one time) can be as low as $1, while the "limit" (or most your can bet at one time) can be up in the area of $500. Don't fret too much about this though - minimums and limits are generally very clearly posted at the table.
Players can make wagers with any of the chip denominations available and once all of the participants have put down their cash (chips, actually) and selected the "Deal" option, the game begins. After it has begun, it is not possible to change bets. However, players are able to increase the amount of their bet by taking advantage of options such as "Double Down," "Split," or "Insurance" - although this last one is not usually recommended.
Read more about How to Play Online Blackjack
Each online Blackjack player competes one-on-one with the Dealer, and the goal is to have a hand which totals 21, or beats the Dealer's hand by coming closer to 21 than she does without going over (or "busting"). If the first two cards you get are an ace and a 10 (or any other face card) you've got "blackjack" or a "natural" 21, which pays 1.5 times your original wager.
A blackjack always beats a hand that totals 21, but requires more than the first two cards to do so. A face card is counted as 10 and cards from 2-10 are counted according to their face values. Aces can be counted as either 1s or 11s. A "hard hand" is a hand that does not contain an ace or contains an ace that can only be counted as a 1 so as not to bust. A dealer's ace always counts as 11.
Each blackjack player receives two cards in the opening deal, and his goal is to reach a total of 21 points or to be closer to 21 than the dealer - who, of course, is competing with all the players. Players can receive as many cards as they wish. This is achieved by what's known as "hitting." Or they can choose to "stand" and receive no more cards. When a tie occurs between the player and the dealer, the hand becomes a "push" and the player keeps his bet. Generally speaking, casinos require their dealers to hit when they have 16 or less and to stand (or "stay") when they have 17 or more.
Read more about Online Blackjack Rules & Probabilities
Again, this really is one of the few games in which a player's decisions truly affect the outcome of the game. In other words, if you're someone who likes to control your own destiny (as much as possible at least - remember, the House always maintains an edge), online Blackjack might just be the game for you.
Having a good strategy is vital if you wish to maximize your odds of winning. Without a solid understanding of basic blackjack strategy, you are essentially throwing your money away. The good thing is that Gambling Planet provides you with the best blackjack strategies right here on this website. The important thing to remember here is that there are several rules of thumb, which should always be followed - unless of course, you're one of those risk-takers who enjoys throwing caution to the wind... (not recommended, but hey, everyone enjoys playing their own way).
Ready to commence playing now, though still concerned about the financial risk? Thanks to the online gaming industry, a new blackjack strategy has been added to the list: Free Blackjack. You read right. These days you can get a feel for the game by first playing in practice mode, a feature available at the finer online casinos.
Read more about Online Blackjack Strategy
Although formally endorsed by most serious players, the online blackjack tips below are held as "common knowledge" by many and represent a solid general strategy that anyone can use. We include them here for your convenience and information. Some of these tips repeat much of the information above. But if you're looking for a more condensed summary of some of the most commonly accepted and easy to remember strategies, the list below should suffice as a terrific starting point.
- Never split your 10s. (A definite online blackjack no-no.)
- Always split your aces and 8s, no matter what card the dealer is showing.
- Unless you are counting cards, never take insurance (as previously stated; see above).
- You should always stand on a hard 13 through 16, but only if the card the dealer is showing is a 6 or lower. If the dealer's showing card is a 7 through an ace, you should hit.
- If the dealer is showing a 4, 5 or 6, you should stand on a hard 12.
- If the dealer's showing a 2, 3, 7 or higher, you should hit a hard 12.
- You should continue to hit until you have at least 17 if the dealer's up card is a 10.
- You should hit a soft 17 if the dealer's up card is a 10.
Uncomfortable about trying out these tips with real money? Help yourself to some free blackjack play at any of the leading online casinos.
Read more about Online Blackjack Tips
The history of blackjack games certainly dates back many, many years. We're talking centuries here. Beginning in French casinos back in the 1700s, blackjack has long been embraced by players in both gambling casinos and private homes all over the world. And, although the history of online blackjack is considerably brief in comparison to the game's original form, it's clear there's already plenty to be written about the way online blackjack has evolved.
What was initially called "21" in the United States (translated from the French "vingt-et-un," meaning "twenty-one"), eventually became known as blackjack. This was due to Americans offering a 10:1 bonus payout to players drawing an initial hand consisting of the Ace of Spades and a black Jack (of either clubs or spades).
Although this 10:1 bonus was eventually phased out, the name blackjack stuck. Today, you don't need to draw an ace and jack to score an online blackjack; an ace and any card worth 10 points will do.
Read more about Online Blackjack History
To bring it all into better perspective, every player should be aware of and familiar with the following terms whether you want to play blackjack online or in a land-based casino:
Hit: Take another card.
Stand: Keep the cards you have.
Double Down: Receive only ONE more card, and double your bet.
Split: Divide a pair into two hands - the initial wager will be placed on one, and a second wager of equal value will be placed on the other.
Insurance: If the dealer shows an ace, sometimes (if available at that particular table) you will be given the option of placing a side "insurance" bet. This strategy allows you to counter the chance of the dealer having a natural. Strategically speaking, this is never a good option and most people generally advise against it.
As with most online casino games, and as mentioned above, free blackjack games are also available for you to play in what's commonly referred to as "Practice Mode." This option allows you to get your feet wet before depositing any money. This feature is typically offered at most of the better online casinos and is a great (not to mention inexpensive) way to sufficiently acquaint yourself with the more common blackjack rules and terms including various spellings like "Black Jack."
For your convenience, we've provided some more common blackjack tips, rules and strategy options below. Remember: the more you know going in, the more comfortable you'll be making decisions at the table.
During the course of play, blackjack players must not only decide whether to "hit" or "stand" but must also, from time to time, decide to "double down" or "split" - and, no doubt, this can add a few wrinkles to your peachy brow! The problem is, if you don't use some of your more complicated options, you'll be missing your chance to get act those big payouts and will eventually be taken down by the house vig. Some of the more mind-numbing blackjack rules include:
Doubling Down: Players may double their wager during a game, but only after they've been dealt two cards. If you choose to double down at that point, you'll receive just one more card; you cannot hit again after deciding to double down.
Split: Splitting, surprisingly enough, offers the choice of breaking one hand of cards into two. It offers the chance to win (or lose) twice in the same game. Aces aside, any pair of cards can be split into two hands. This will result in a second bet equal to the first and will also allow you to play both hands on an individual basis. Once you have split your hand into two separate hands, you can hit as many times as you want on each of them. If a pair of aces is dealt to you, you can only get a "normal" 21.
Insurance: If the dealer shows an ace, you can opt to "insure" yourself against the possibility that the dealer has a 10 or a face card concealed. If indeed the dealer's card is a 10 or a face card, you get your insurance bet back and get paid at 2-1 odds. However, if the dealer has a card that's not a 10 or a face card, you lose your insurance bet.
Early Surrender: As a blackjack player, you have the option here of "surrendering" before the dealer checks for her 21.
Late Surrender Here you have the option to surrender AFTER the dealer checks to see if she has blackjack.
When playing online Blackjack you must be able to tell the difference between, and act on, hard hands, soft hands and pairs (although this last one is pretty obvious). A soft hand is when you have an ace, which counts as either a 1 or 11 and makes it possible for your hand to have two different point totals. A "hard hand" is one without an ace. A pair, of course, is two of the same number.
Below, we've provided a breakdown of some "Basic Strategy" tips most players swear by. Over the long-term, using and understanding these will maximize your chances for success. While we feel this is rather easy to remember - in a general sense, of course, and with a little practice - another way to approach decisions is to simply assume that whatever card is beneath the dealer's visible card (or, depending on where you're playing blackjack, the card that dealer is about to receive) is a 10.
With that total in mind, compare it to your own card and hit or stand accordingly. So, if you have a total of 15, it would be a good idea to stand if the dealer is showing a 6 (assuming he has a 10 as well, this takes him to 16 - a likely scenario for him to bust). However, if you have a 15 and the dealer is showing a 10, you might want to hit as there is a good chance - again, assuming he has a 10 coming his way - that the dealer is sitting on 20. This general rule of thumb is perhaps the best and easiest approach to adopt and remember, but the list below provides a bit more detail.
Hard Hands
8 or less, always hit.
9, double down if the dealer has 3 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
10, double down if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
11, double down if dealer has 2 thru 10 - otherwise hit.
12, hit if dealer has 2 or 3, stand if he has 4 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
13 to 16, stand if the dealer has 2 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
17 to 21, always stand.
Soft Hands
A-2 or A-3, double down if the dealer has 5 or 6 - otherwise hit.
A-4 or A-5, double down if the dealer has 4 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
A-6, double down if the dealer has 3 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
A-7, double down if the dealer has 3 thru 6, stand on 2,7 or 8 - otherwise hit.
A-8 or A-9, always stand.
Splitting Pairs
8-8 or Ace-Ace, always split.
2-2 or 3-3, split if the dealer has 2 thru 7 - otherwise hit.
4-4, split if the dealer has 4 or 5 - otherwise hit.
5-5, double down if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
6-6, split if the dealer has 2 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
7-7, split if the dealer has 2 thru 7 - otherwise hit.
9-9, split if the dealer has 2 thru 6, 8 or 9. Stand on anything else.
10-10, always stand.
What is it exactly? Well, if the dealer's up card is an ace, players are presented with the option of taking insurance before the dealer checks his "hole card" - which could be a face card, of course, giving the dealer blackjack and discouraging everyone at the table!
Players wishing to take insurance can bet an amount up to half their original bet. This is placed separately on a special portion of the table, which usually carries the words "Insurance Pays 2:1". You're essentially betting here that the dealer was dealt a natural, and if you're right, this bet pays off 2:1. It's called "insurance" because it, in effect, can protect the original bet if the dealer hits a blackjack.
Insurance, however, is generally a bad bet because it has a house edge of 2-15 percent, depending on number of decks used and the visible 10-cards. Basically, taking insurance amounts to betting that the dealer's hole card is a ten or face card. Since, in an infinite deck, 4/13 of the cards are tens or face cards, an unbiased insurance wager would actually pay 9:4, or 2.25:1. Because the bet only pays 2:1, the house has a very strong advantage here.
If you're interested in learning more about this game or perhaps are already in love with it and are looking for other variations, you should seriously consider checking out multiplayer online blackjack. One of the hottest online trends around, it increases the excitement of regular blackjack by allowing you to compete against other, real live players! Jackpots can get pretty lucrative, and from everything we've heard and seen, this new format seems to be all the rage. To learn more about it, check out our Multiplayer Blackjack pages and see if it might be your cup of tea. (Note: Most web sites normally won't let you play in multiplayer format if you're in "Free Blackjack" mode.)
Remember, nobody becomes an expert right away. In order to play blackjack online like a pro, it goes without saying that you're going to need to practice and hone your abilities. Accordingly, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of free-play opportunities before jumping in and playing for real cash. Once you get the hang of it and feel comfortable and confident, you might be ready to play for real. Of course, you shouldn't get discouraged if you lose a few hands in the beginning. Remember: that's going to happen no matter how good you are! The objective in blackjack is to win MORE hands than you lose and make wise bets. After a few rounds you'll start to develop a rhythm that you can work with.
