Online Blackjack

Blackjack is so quick and easy to learn! There are a few simple rules, a few terms and then you can be on your way, right? Wrong! Blackjack's simple façade belies the complexity just beneath its surface. Your first step is to get down the basic objectives of this incredibly popular game.

Although there are several versions of blackjack, some rules and terms are set through all versions. First, your objective is to beat the dealer by gathering cards that total closer to 21 than his. All cards are worth the value on their face, with the Jack, Queen and King worth 10 and the Ace worth a 1 or 11. The dealer deals you two cards face up. You choose to stay with the cards you have, or to hit and add more points to your total. If you go over 21, then you BUST and lose.

The very first thing to take your play from a novice to a more serious player is to memorize the basic strategy chart. This chart is absolutely necessary if you intend to win at blackjack. The house advantage falls from 8% to 0.5% over the player who consistently uses the basic strategy. This chart is easy to find and use and should become your best friend when playing blackjack.

The next level is to move forward with more advanced strategies. There are loads of people who are always trying to find other strategies and systems. The basic strategy plus the system of card counting is the most universally agreed upon plan of attack. Once you have internalized the system of counting cards, you can take the house advantage away and hold the advantage over the house. This holy grail of casino games is truly all that it has been made out to be.

Remember some of the side bets that are available in different variations too. Situations will come up where you need to make the best decision when to split your blackjack hand and when to double down. Insurance is a bad idea in almost all cases. But there could be that one occasion in your lifetime that buying insurance is a good calculated risk.

Enjoy playing the game you love. Get into the flow and feel the excitement you feel when you do something well. Players from all over the world are online and using those free rooms to polish their strategies and memorize the basics.