When most people think about blackjack, they imagine how they could count cards and bankrupt casinos by winning consistently. In truth, beating the house at blackjack is easier said than done.

Sure, the goal is simple. You compete against a casino—through a dealer—to produce a hand close to or equal to 21. But you can’t influence the cards dealt to you. That means you could lose often if unlucky.

Here, we’ve prepared online blackjack tips proven to work if followed correctly. The beauty of these tips is that they can help you win even when luck is not by your side. Let’s get started.

#1: Choose a Great Blackjack Site

Online casinos are convenient. But they’re not created equal. Some websites provide a great variety of slots and poker games. However, they have one type of blackjack. On the flip side, gaming sites vary in their payout speeds, bonuses, customer service and web performance.

To have a delightful experience playing blackjack online, take time to choose a good website. Start by looking for safety features. Next, shop around for websites with the biggest varieties of blackjack games.

If you’re in a hurry or don’t know how to pick trustworthy casinos, find help on review websites. As can be seen here, the best online blackjack sites stand out in all key areas. But they have differing features you can use to distinguish them.

#2: Know the Rules

One of the biggest mistakes you can make at a casino is to play a game whose rules you don’t understand. You’re bound to fail. In blackjack, the rules are simple. But they differ depending on the blackjack variant you choose:

  • Classic Blackjack
  • Perfect Pairs Blackjack
  • Spanish 21
  • Blackjack Switch
  • Vegas Strip Blackjack

Classic blackjack is the original game—and the best variant to play if you’re a beginner. It has an incredibly low house edge—1%. And the rules are simple. Beat the dealer in producing a hand of 21.

If you decide to play variants like blackjack switch or perfect pairs, ensure you learn all the rules. This way, you don’t risk losing game for knowing what to do in a game.

#3: Learn Basic Blackjack Strategy

Every professional blackjack player swears by basic blackjack strategy. The explanation is straightforward. Basic blackjack lowers the house edge from 1% to 0.5%. For the uninitiated, house edge is the guaranteed advantage casinos have over players.

It ensures casinos make more money than players in the long run. Basic blackjack helps you lower this advantage through a cheat sheet—a list of rules to follow when playing the game. These rules include:

  • Stand at 16 if a dealer has 2-6
  • Hit at 12-16 if a dealer has a 7-Ace
  • Split 8s and aces always
  • Double down on 11 with a dealer’s 2-10

The beauty of following this strategy is that it’s legal. You can print a cheat sheet and use it to make decisions while playing blackjack online.

#4: Follow a Strict Budget

If you’re like many beginners, you play blackjack because it’s fun. Still, to be clear, you need a budget and a staking plan to help manage your finances accordingly. Far too many people underestimate the temptation to overspend at casinos.

Logically, your blackjack budget should make up a small amount of your net income. Pay your bills, invest and save for emergencies. Then craft a budget for blackjack. Assuming you decide to spend $200 on the game per month.

Create a staking plan to determine the best amount to spend per game. Stick to your plan regardless of whether you win or lose. This will protect your from ever ruining your finances at online casinos.

#5: Claim Blackjack Bonuses

You play blackjack for entertainment. So, why not get entertained without risking your money? Bonuses give you a chance to play all types of blackjack. But you must follow their rules to enjoy them fully.

To expound more, every bonus has its terms. Maybe you need to deposit $10 or more to receive a bonus. Maybe you must playthrough your bonus 20x to cashout your profits. Read these rules.

If you like the rules of a bonus, use it to maximize your profits. Otherwise, keep in mind you might not cashout your bonus profits if you flout the rules.

#6:   Play Live Dealer Blackjack

Live blackjack is a form of blackjack that lets you play the game against a human dealer. Traditionally, the only way to play card games online was playing against computer software.

With live blackjack, you’re connected to a casino through a video link. That way, you can see and talk to your opponent. It’s more exciting and involving. And you could argue it’s the best way to play blackjack.

All you need is to find a live blackjack site with the variants you love. Most beginners play classic blackjack. But you could also play blackjack switch, Spanish 21 and Vegas strip live.

#7: Never Place Insurance Bets

An insurance bet is a gamble that the dealer has a hand of 21. You get the option to place an insurance bet after seeing the dealer has an ace card. Of course, this means their down card could be a 10-value card.

However, that’s rarely the case, and the reason you shouldn’t place insurance bets. The odds of winning are low and the payout is 2 to 1. Some dealers can offer you a 1 to 1 payout if you have a blackjack hand (21) and they have an ace card. Don’t accept it—play to win and get paid 3 to 2.

Your Turn

Blackjack is one of the most exciting card games. You play against the house and not your fellow opponents. You can’t choose the cards you receive. But you can improve your chances of winning by following the tips shared above. Stick to the rules—they’ve been proven to work time and again.