Online Blackjack Strategies and OddsIf you already know how to play blackjack, here are some fundamental online blackjack strategies and odds to keep in mind for all your play. We want to note immediately that not all online blackjack websites are the same and that EntertAsia.com, the Asian online casino software provider, has begun offering Crazy 21 (and it is featured on the 888.com website.
Like Classic BlackJack, the objective of Crazy BlackJack is to accumulate cards with a higher numerical total than the dealer without exceeding 21. On top of placing the standard Classic BlackJack bet, Crazy BlackJack offers a Safe Bet, Highest Hand Bet and 777 Jackpot Bet. This means you can place up to a total of 12 BlackJack bets at once!
Here are the basic Online Blackjack Strategies:
Hit - This is done if you wish to take another card. Depending on the dealer's cards, you may want to consider hitting all the way up to 16. Of course you will stay on 17 and higher.
Stand - When satisfied with your cards. Wave the hand.
Double down: Double the wager, take exactly one more card, and then stand.
Split: Double the wager and have each card be the first card in a new hand. This option is available only when both cards have the same value.
Surrender: Forfeit half the bet and give up the hand.
Following these basic Blackjack strategies will certainly help improve your payout odds.
Now let's look at some common rules variations include:
Only one card for split Aces: a single new card is added to each Ace and the turn ends. They are thus regarded as 11-point cards. No other denomination is subject to this process.
Multiple splits: If a player splits 2 cards and receives a third card of identical value, the hand can be split again, resulting in 3 hands. However, some casinos only allow a single split of the first 2 cards.
Early surrender: Player has the option to surrender before dealer checks for Blackjack.
Late surrender: Player has the option to surrender after dealer checks for Blackjack.
Double-down restrictions: Double-down may only be allowed on certain combinations of cards (usually totaling 9, 10 or 11).
Double-down after split: Double-down may not be allowed after splitting cards. The split hands are played normally otherwise.
Split any tens: Players may split any 2 cards which are both worth 10 points, such as a Jack and Queen. This rule is rarely used, since 20 is a very strong hand which is unlikely to be split.
Then we have some blackjack strategies that can help minimize your payout odds. In other words, pay attention to what is written below and don't fall into the trap.
Some bad online blackjack strategies as found on Wizard of Odds:
Three popular bad strategies encountered at the blackjack table are never bust, mimic the dealer, and always assume the dealer has a ten in the hole. All three of these are very bad strategies. Following are my specific comments on each of them, including the house edge under Atlantic City rules (dealer stands on soft 17, split up to 4 hands, double after split, double any two cards) of 0.43%.
Never bust: For my analysis of this strategy I assumed the player would never hit a hard 12 or more and based all other decisions on maximizing expected value under this assumption. This results in a house edge of 3.91%.
Mimic the dealer: For my analysis of this strategy I assumed the player would always hit 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. The player as well as dealer stood on soft 17. The player never doubled or split, since the dealer is not allowed to do so. This results in a house edge of 5.48%.
Assume ten in the hole: For this strategy I first figured out the optimal basic strategy under this assumption. If the dealer had an ace up I reverted to the proper basic strategy assumption of assuming the dealer did not have a ten. Then I went back and used this strategy under regular playing conditions. This results in a house edge of 10.03%.
Don't forget, not only can you improve your blackjack payout odds by following these simple strategies, you can also walk away with an easy breezy $555 in FREE CASH at Golden Palace thanks to a very generous 100% signup bonus.
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Payton O'Brien, Gambling911.com
Originally published September 7, 2007 9:33 am ET
