Free Online Blackjack

The main goal in Online Blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over (busting). Here’s a breakdown of what this means:

Card Values:
Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value, face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) are valued at 10, and Aces can be either 1 or 11, depending on what’s best for your hand.
Winning Scenarios:
– If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s without busting, you win.
– If the dealer busts (exceeds 21) and you don’t, you win.
– Getting a Blackjack (an Ace and a 10-point card) beats any other 21.

These are the two fundamental options in Blackjack:

Hit:
Choose this if you want another card to improve your hand total. It’s recommended when you have a low hand (like 12-16) and the dealer’s face-up card is strong (7 or higher).
Stand:
Select this when you’re happy with your hand and don’t want to risk busting. This is common with a hand total of 17 or higher, especially if the dealer has a weak face-up card (like 6 or below).

This is a more advanced move that can be highly profitable:

What It Means:
You double your initial bet in exchange for just one more card. Ideal when you’re confident you can win with one more draw.
Best Situations:
Double down when you have a total of 10 or 11 and the dealer’s face-up card is weak (2-9). This increases your potential win but can be risky if the next card isn’t favourable.

Splitting is a way to turn one hand into two:

When to Split:
If your initial two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands, doubling your bet.
Optimal Splits:
Always split Aces and 8s. Splitting Aces gives you two strong starting points, while splitting 8s prevents playing with a problematic 16.
When Not to Split:
Avoid splitting 10s or 5s. A hand of 20 is already strong, and 5s are better played as a total of 10 for a potential double down.

Unlike players, dealers have strict rules they must follow:

Must Hit Until 17:
Dealers must keep drawing cards until they reach at least 17. In some games, they must hit on a “soft 17” (a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11).
Dealer Busts:
If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, all remaining players win the round, regardless of their hand total.

Insurance is a side bet offered if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace:

What It Does:
You bet half your original stake, protecting against the dealer hitting Blackjack. If the dealer does have Blackjack, the insurance pays 2:1, covering your initial bet.
Advice:
It’s generally considered a poor choice since the house edge on insurance is high. Most experienced players recommend skipping this bet.

Not all online Blackjack games allow this, but when available, it can save you money:

What It Means:
You forfeit half your bet and end the round early if you don’t like your chances.
When to Surrender:
It’s smart to surrender with a weak hand like 15 or 16 when facing a strong dealer card (like 9, 10, or Ace).