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7 Top Blackjack Tips for Improving Your Game

Blackjack is one of the most popular games found at both online and land-based casinos and is enjoyed by huge amounts of Canadian players each and every day. It is possible to win some serious amounts of money when playing online blackjack – providing you have the skill needed to do so.

In order to help you reach the level needed to make money when playing blackjack, we’ve produced this handy selection of different blackjack hints and tips.

If you're new to the game, feel free to take a look at our guide on how to play blackjack.

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Never Take Insurance

Insurance is something that you can decide to take if the dealer is showing an Ace, just in case they manage to hit blackjack. It is essentially a side bet, and you are usually paid at odds of 3:2 if the dealer does manage to hit blackjack.

While this seems like a good idea at first, it really isn’t, and it is something that all experienced blackjack players will avoid completely. The reason is this: over the long term, you’ll end up losing more than you actually win. So, you might occasionally lose some money when the dealer hits blackjack, but not ever taking insurance will be worth it in the long term.

Understand Basic Blackjack Strategy

If you are new to the world of blackjack, it is well worth learning a basic strategy for the game. Basic strategy lets you know exactly what you should do in what position, and will prevent you from making errors that hand the house an even larger advantage. Some of the things covered in basic blackjack strategy include when to hit, when to stand, and when it is a good idea to double up.

It is also a good idea to understand playing blackjack with practice money first, which can be done at most online casinos. This will allow you to get to grips with the strategy and won’t cause you to lose any of your money while you’re learning.

Learn How to Count Cards

You might think that card counting is illegal, however it certainly isn’t – it’s just something that the casino doesn’t like you to do! Card counting is actually a lot simpler than you might imagine and allows you to establish a better idea of the cards that could be dealt next, therefore allowing you to adjust your bet accordingly.

It can only be used when playing at a land-based casino or when playing live dealer blackjack though. If you want to learn how to count cards in blackjack, why not check out our comprehensive guide?

Don’t Be Superstitious

Blackjack players are some of the most superstitious gamblers around, but these superstitions don’t affect the game at all. So, don’t worry about where you sit at the table, and don’t worry about which table you play at, as you’ll always have the same chance of winning.

Also, don’t be drawn into the gambler’s fallacy, which is when you think that previous results mean that a certain result is going to happen in the future. Regardless of the previous hands, you always have the same chance of winning the current hand – unless you’re counting cards, that is!

Double Up at the Right Time

Doubling up is one of the areas in blackjack that most new players don’t understand. It is essentially when you are given the chance to double your bet after the cards have been dealt and are then dealt one more card.

The main reason why most don’t use it is because they are worried about betting too much, however it is extremely useful when used correctly.

The basic rule for doubling up is this: always double up if you have cards totalling eleven, unless the dealer is showing an Ace. As you become more experienced playing the game, you’ll learn when else doubling up can be a good move.

Keep Control of Your Bankroll

When it comes to managing your bankroll, blackjack is no different to every other type of gambling. This is because bankroll management in blackjack is absolutely vital, unless you want to find yourself spending all of your money in a single playing session.

The basic rule to follow when playing blackjack is this: only ever bring up to 10% of your total bankroll to the table and have the self-control to walk away if you lose the money you’ve assigned for the session.

Don’t Let Losses Get to You

In blackjack, as in nearly every other type of online gambling, losing is something that is going to happen. It doesn’t matter if you are the greatest blackjack player of all time – sometimes the dealer is going to hit 21, and sometimes you are going to bust.

The best players understand this though, and they understand that, in the long term, some bad luck isn’t going to affect them massively. So, if you find yourself having a session where you keep on getting unlucky, don’t fall into the trap of believing that you’re simply an unlucky player! Always stay calm and keep playing your normal game.

How to Deal Blackjack

  • Before You Start Dealing

    First of all, you have to make sure that you properly shuffle the cards. You can combine two or more decks of cards if you are joined by more players.

    The next step is to place the bets. Each participating player must bet within the table limits before the cards are dealt.

  • Deal Cards for Players

    Once everything is ready, you will have to deal the cards in succession from the top of the deck. Start with the player on your left and move down to the right for the other participants.

    Repeat this process once. At the end of the deal, each player should have two cards facing up that can be seen by the entire table.

  • Work out the Basics

    Blackjack has pretty simple rules that you can easily learn and follow. The goal of the game is to get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over.

    The basic rules also cover how the cards are valued. Numbered cards in blackjack have their face value, while Jack, Queen and King are each worth 10 points.

Blackjack Tips FAQs

Can I play free online Blackjack with other players?

Yes. You can opt for live dealer Blackjack and enjoy the games with other players, in real time. You can even communicate with them, and with the dealer, through the live chat function.

Where can I play free Blackjack games for fun?

Even when playing for fun, we recommend sticking to the best online casinos. You can enjoy premium free blackjack games at:

Simply select one, go to the site, and opt for the demo version to play for free. Alternatively, try our instant play free blackjack games.

How can I switch to real money Blackjack games?

When you are ready to bet real money on online blackjack, you just have to register an account at any of the recommended online casinos. You can then make a deposit to add funds to the balance. Select the real version of the game and bet as much as you wish. Keep in mind that you should always gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

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