No matter how fun and rewarding online slots are, every now and then, we need a change of pace playing at our favorite online casinos. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that online blackjack continues to be the go-to game. Suitable for players of all skill and budget levels, online blackjack is one of the fastest growing casino games. This article helps blackjack players, new and seasoned, to get their games to the winning level.
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The Online Blackjack World
Besides noticing the latest and impressive slot games in the casino library, you will most likely notice the latest online blackjack variants too. Many of the top developers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming are spending more time creating new blackjack games, especially for live dealer play. While some online casinos have more blackjack choices than others, games can usually count on finding these typical games:
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American Blackjack
By far, American Blackjack is the most popular and widely used of the online blackjack games. Sometimes you might have it referred to as Classic 21, American Blackjack features a staggering RTP of over 99%.
While all online blackjack games give players a rough 50% chance to beat the house, American Blackjack boosts those odds even higher. When playing American Blackjack, the dealer must deal themselves the second card before players decide to hit or stand.
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European Blackjack
European Blackjack plays just like American Blackjack. However, the dealer waits until all the players hit or stand until they deal themselves the second card face down.
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Atlantic City Blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack is also another popular online blackjack variant that plays like American Blackjack. However, the dealer has the option of peaking at the face down card to see if they have a natural blackjack.
The world of online blackjack continues to expand at a fascinating rate, even at social casinos. Sites like McLuck Casino have recently added Gravity Blackjack to their live dealer play. Also, there are plenty of real money online casinos that are developing exclusive live blackjack games, including Free Bet Blackjack. Also, AI tools like machine learning, continue to play a massive role in developing original blackjack themes.
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Playing Blackjack Strategically
Part of the joy of playing online blackjack is its simplicity. All the players win against the dealer by having a playing hand equal to 21, or at the least, a playing hand higher than the dealer. Each blackjack player receives two cards from the dealer, dealt face up. The dealer, on the other hand, deals themselves one card face up (the upcard), and the second, dealt face down.
Players make their decisions to hit or stand based on the first two cards, and the dealer’s upcard. To hit playing blackjack means to draw a third card. Players can hit as much as they like, until they get to 21, or if they go over. Going over 21 means busting, which means an automatic loss to the playing hand.
Also, the dealer must hit until they get to seventeen or higher. And in the process, the dealer can also bust which means the player automatically wins. In most blackjack variants, the dealer has no choice but to stand if their first two cards are a soft 17. An ace and a six equals a soft 17.
It’s conventional blackjack wisdom to hit until the card values equals seventeen or more. So, if your first two cards are worth fourteen or less, it’s wise to hit. Another winning blackjack technique is doubling down. Doubling down is to hit for one final card in the playing hand and matching your initial. The danger of doubling down, especially if your playing hand value is low, is that the final card might not really raise the value, leaving the door open for the dealer to win.
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Conclusion
The world of online blackjack continues to evolve. As new online casinos launch, including sweepstakes casinos, they go the extra mile to having plenty of online blackjack games to choose from. Also, most online blackjack games pay nicely into the online casino’s loyalty and reward system for additional benefits.
