Due to its fairly simple rules and shallow learning curve, the game of blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Very few other table games offer the advantage of a variable house limit that changes with the quality of a player's skill set. A player using blackjack basic strategy generally competes with a 0.5% house advantage, while one not using basic strategy is looking at 7%. Using card counting techniques on top of blackjack basic strategy can actually reverse house advantage and swing it up to 1% in favor of the player. This sliding scale based on technique can be an attractive feature for both recreational gamers and pro players alike, accounting for online blackjack’s widespread popularity.

Learning the game of blackjack has never been as easy as it is today with the power of the internet to mentor a new generation of players online. All over the web, within casino forums and dedicated websites, you'll find all types of expert advice in the subtle nuances of the game that can lead to your continued improvement. The online format also lends itself to providing an exceptional training ground for new players that are looking to sharpen their skill sets. Online blackjack play is even optimized for efficiency, allowing players to see so many more blackjack hands in a single sitting than was once possible playing conventionally.

Object of the game

Card Value

Ace as 1 or 11 - Example

Dealing the cards

The Player's Hand

Getting back to the hand, the remaining players with a higher point total than the dealer win an amount equal to their bet. Players with a lower point total lose their bet. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win. During the hand, there are other betting options available to the player for use as certain situations arise. They are the following:

• Double Down - In online blackjack, a player may double their initial bet and draw one and only one additional card. Doubling Down is only permissible after the initial two cards are dealt.
• Split - In online blackjack, if a player is dealt two of the same card on the initial two card deal, he may split the pair using each card to begin a separate hand as long as a second bet equal to the first is also placed on the second hand.
• Surrender - In online blackjack, if a player feels he cannot beat the dealer hand based on what the dealer is showing, he may give up his hand and lose only half the bet.

The Dealer's Hand

• Dealer Stands on all 17s - In this case the dealer draws cards until his point total is 17 or more. An Ace is generally counted as 11 unless it causes the dealer to go over 21.
• Dealer Hits soft 17 - In this case the dealer will hit on a soft 17 which means that any hand including an ace, that totals 17 or less, will require the dealer to take a hit. The dealer therefore stands on a soft 18 or higher or on hard 17 or higher. This rule causes a slight increase in the house advantage (0.2%) and is therefore less advantages for the player.