Online Black Jack: Blackjack 102

Online Black Jack

A standard blackjack table can accommodate seven players, including the dealer and displays the following phrases and signs on the Online Black Jack layout:

  • Blackjack plays x to y
  • Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s
  • Pays 2 to 1
  • The table limits (min / max bet allowed)

Online Black Jack: What’s That Nonsense on the Table?

In your typical game of blackjack, the player who holds two cards that sum up to 21 or higher than the dealer’s hand automatically wins the game. However, once the dealer holds 21 as well, that will result in a push. A push means that your starting bet will be returned to you and you neither win or lose the game. The payout of blackjack is 3 to 2. 

In some casinos, blackjack table games pay 6 to 5, which refers to odds and payouts of the player. Once your hand wins against the dealer’s then your starting bet gets paid 3 to 2, but some casinos pay 6 to 5. Insurances usually pay 2 to 1 in blackjack. You will be offered to put an additional or extra bet if you think the dealer holds a blackjack in his hand or not. There are some cases wherein you might lose your hand against the dealer’s but once you win the insurance bet, you might cover your lost bet. As tempting as insurance bets are, you might be better off dropping both bets.

A minimum of $5 is the smallest amount and a maximum of $500 is the largest amount of money you can put on the blackjack table. There are hundreds on reputable sites that offer good guides on how to play online blackjack. Once you read such guides, you are able to log into online casinos where the minimum bet is small enough even for beginners to play a few hands.

There are two choices where you can play especially if you are new to this game: 

  • You can use these demo games to practice Blackjack online
  • You can play cheap Blackjack games

When to Hit or When to Stand

After bets are placed by the players and chips are distributed on the designated spot on the table, the game of blackjack begins. Each player, including the dealer will be dealt with two cards by the dealer. The distributed cards may be dealt either face down or face up, excluding the dealer’s card. The dealer’s first card is always dealt face up and the other is dealt face down. Once the cards are distributed, the dealer will check to see if he holds a blackjack otherwise the players are offered to take a hit or stand. Although there are three other options to choose from such as splitting, doubling down, or surrendering, the outcome of your game-play depends on the cards you and the dealer hold.

Once you decide to take the hit, you will be dealt with an additional card in order to improve the ones in your hand. However, if you take the stand, you do not need to draw another card. In order to split your cards, you need to have two cards of the same rank. You will be dealt with two more cards, one for each of the original cards that were previously dealt to you. Afterwards, you will pay a side bet then you start playing with two independent hands. You have the choice to wager on both hands. Each hand has independent bets and payouts. 

If you decide to double down your cards, you will need to place an additional bet. After placing your bet, a new card will be dealt to your original hand. In terms of surrendering, each casino has their own method for a player to surrender his hand. 

Some casinos offer early surrenders, some offer late surrenders. An early surrender means the player drops out of the hand before the dealer can even check his card for an online black jack. Meanwhile, a late surrender means to drop your hand after the casino dealer checks for a blackjack. These surrender options still have the same result, which is to lose half your bet and walk away with what is left.