As sports betting continues to expand it’s footprint across the United States with legal, online sports betting opportunities, as does the world of legal, online casino and iGaming. Here, we’ll look at a beginner’s guide on how to play online blackjack and win.

Online casino games have been around a while; they’re fun, and you can make a lot of loot if you, pardon the pun, play your cards right.

Online Casino Blackjack – Starting out

If you’re new to playing blackjack online, start slowly. Don’t get in over your head and start betting high stakes if you’re not exactly sure how it all works. The same rules apply as they do playing in a real casino. Study and understudy your basic blackjack strategy so you’re not hemorrhaging money.

We’ve all been playing at a table in real-life and some new player hits the table and starts gumming up the works. They split their 10’s, they hit on 16 when the dealer is showing a five, etc. Understand the basics of the game before you start sinking your hard-earned money into play. In fact, consider playing a few ‘practice hands’ first to get a feel for the game.

Playing online blackjack for free also helps you to develop your strategy and see what works for you, all without risking your own cash. Once you're up to speed, you can play real money blackjack. Blackjack is the world’s most popular table game. Both traditional and online casinos all over the world host the game in multiple variants. Entire books have been written about the game’s strategy. Blackjack is the coolest game in the casino, carrying with it an unmatched air of skill, sophistication, and luxury.

Online Casino Blackjack – Scoring

Let’s roll it back, though, if you’re REALLY a beginner. Know that an ace (A) can be used as a one or an 11, all face cards – jacks (J), queens (Q) and kings (K) have a value of 10 and know that there are four suits in a standard 52-card deck – clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The idea of blackjack, or 21, is to beat the dealer.

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You needn’t worry about the other players at the table, as you do not have to beat their cards like in poker. You simply need to be closer to 21 than the dealer. If your cards end up with a total of 22 or higher, it’s called a ‘bust’. Know your terminology, too. If you end up with the same total as the dealer, it’s a ‘push’.

Sounds simple, right? Well, technically blackjack is one of the table games where you have the best odds to beat the house, although, of course, the advantage is still in their favor. If you play wisely, you can come out ahead in the long term.

Also see:Online Casino iGaming: How to play legal, online poker

iGaming Blackjack: Strategies

It’s my personal experience when playing to NEVER take insurance. Insurance is offered when the dealer is showing an ace with their other card hidden, or down. One always should assume the dealer is holding a 10 in their hole card. While insurance pays 2 to 1, it’s essentially an extra bet on whether or not the dealer will hit blackjack; while your hand can lose, you could potentially recover any lost monies with a win on the insurance wager. The only time I might do this is if I hit a blackjack myself, and an insurance bet will offer even money if the dealer shows an ace and also flips over a face or a 10 to also get blackjack. Other than that, don’t get roped into insurance.

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Also, blackjack is a fun game, as you can double your wager after a hand has started. For instance, you initially wager $5 in chips. You are dealt a total of 11, while the dealer is showing a 6. Again, there are 16 cards in a single deck with a value of 10, so you assume the dealer’s hidden card is a 10, and/or your next card will be a 10. So you ‘double down’, or double your wager. You will receive only one card, while the dealer can take as many as needed. Doubling down on 11 is not always a sound option, however, as if the dealer is holding a 10, it is generally discouraged. Some players like to do it, but you really should only double when there is a high bust potential for the dealer.

You can also ‘split’ cards that are paired up. For instance, you get two 9s, you can split these and make two hands against the dealer. Essentially, it’s doubling down, but you can play them like normal hands with no limit on how many cards you can take. You can also double down on these ‘new’ hands, if you like, making for a lot more action, and potential winnings.

Again, you want to be smart about splitting. The example above, with the 9s, is a sound play if you are playing against a dealer’s 8 or less; however, if they’re showing a 10, you’d want to stand, or stick with the cards you have without any further action. Learn the basic strategy first before getting into the nuances of the game.

Online Casino and iGaming Blackjack: Play responsibly

Lastly, it might go without saying, but it’s also a good idea to limit your alcohol intake when playing online.

It’s no secret alcohol and gambling have gone hand-in-hand in real-life casinos, and free drinks while playing table games is attractive to many players, but more drinks leads to more bad decisions and generally means better results for the house.

Ready to give online blackjack a try? Head over to BetMGM to sign up and play.

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There is a host of gambling sites available online. Over 14,000 sites exist for gamers to play blackjack online for real money. Due to some many sites being available it can become complicated for a gamer to choose a good site to play on. Listed are 5 best sites play blackjack online.

Blackjack Online Gambling App

Jackpot City

Jackpot city is at the top of the list for a number of reasons. First, Jackpot City has 31 gamers available for its members. This impressive amount of blackjack games offers players the ability to choose from a range of versions to play instantly. A second reason why Jackpot City is considered to be a top blackjack casino is because of its welcome bonus Jackpot City provides new members with a welcome bonus that totals $1600.

Thanks to such a huge welcome bonus, amateur, and pro blackjack players can enjoy playing without taking a big risk. Jackpot City was created in 1998 so therefore they have had years to understand their member’s wants. Jackpot City offers its members with a range of deposit options. While there is usually a 10 currency unit minimum, there is no maximum so gamers can deposit almost any amount.

King Billy

Another top-ranked online gaming site is King Billy. King Billy casino was established in 2017 and has created a place for the blackjack enthusiast. King Billy online casino offers new players with a welcome bonus of €1000. In addition to having a high welcome bonus, King Billy has 56 ways to play blackjack online, regardless if you are a pro or beginner.

Members that play blackjack online will enjoy the fact that King Billy has speedy payouts as well as software that allows gamers to continuously be entertained. Also, if gamer has an issue while they play at King Billy, the 24 customer support representatives will be able to assist them.

Online Gambling Blackjack Real Money

Tonybet Casino

TonyBet Casino comes in at number three. This online casino delivers a blackjack gaming platform with 49 games. The welcome bonus may be considered to be small at €10 but there is no deposit required. So gamers are eligible to receive the bonus without first making a monetary deposit.

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Also, some of these online blackjack games are live. A live casino game allows players to enjoy online play with a real dealer. The online blackjack games offered by TonyBet Casino have been available since 2009 and made possible with help of top gaming providers such as NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and NYX Interactive.

888Casino

Coming in at number for is 888Casino. This casino provides 5 online blackjack games. Though this number is small compared to other casinos, this casino is able to provide so much more. Developed in 1997, 888Casino has made a name for itself as being one of the most reliable online casinos. In addition to having a high-reliability rate, this casino gives players the opportunity to play blackjack on mobile devices.

MrGreen Casino

Blackjack Casino online, free

MrGreen Casino makes the list at number five. MrGreen Casino gives players 14 ways to play blackjack online. This casino offers modern and stylish graphics that are enjoyable for any player. There is a €100 Welcome bonus that players can enjoy.