Play Online Blackjack in Canada

Blackjack is a popular game that is played in casinos around the globe, and it can be simple to get your head round once you start to learn and understand how the game works. Blackjack is particularly easy for first-timers, which makes it a popular game for gambling beginners. Blackjack only gives the house a small advantage and is a game that you can master by studying, which is one of the reasons it is so popular.

Real dealer, table, and cards! Feel like you are in a physical casino, as you are playing with other people. Big digits on cards make it easy to read, and you can also choose to play more than one hand at a time. True randomisation as the cards are physically shuffled and drawn from the shoe in front of your eyes.

Digital blackjack has the advantage of being able to play at your own pace. You can choose to play faster since the cards are dealt quicker, and you don’t have to wait for other players to act. You can also choose to play slower and take your time to think before making a decision. There is no timer as no other players are waiting for you.

One of the key things to understand when playing blackjack is the odds and probabilities that exist in the game. Regardless of the cards you have been dealt and what your predicament is at the table (whether literal or virtual) you need to be aware of the chances you have of winning, compared to the probability that you will go bust.

How do I win at Blackjack?

Through studying and practicing the game, you will be able to work out the probability of going bust when you decide to add an extra card to your already dealt hand value. For example, if your hand value is 12, then you have a 31% probability of an extra card value sending you bust and out the game.

However, if you have a higher hand value at 19, then your probability jumps up to an 85% chance. Once you get your head around these odds, then it will be easier to assess whether you should take the risk of adding an extra card. Putting it simply, the higher your hand value, the higher the risk an extra card will make you go bust. It is worth keeping this equation in your head while you are playing.

Blackjack is one of the most popular games played in casinos and this is because, while being relatively simple, it offers a thrill and the player can use mathematical ability (through the assessing of odds) in order to develop a high-level strategy. Before you can develop a high strategy, you need to first know the basic game rules.

How do I start?

The standard 52 card pack is used for blackjack and most casinos play the popular version where six packs are shuffled together (to make for 312 cards in total). However, not all these cards will be played as after the cards have been shuffled and bets placed, the dealer will pick a player at random to cut the pack of cards so that the last 60/70 cards will not be in play.

How does the game work?

The object of the game is to beat the dealer by getting as close to the count of 21, without going over (known as going bust). The betting aspect comes to the game as, before the cards are dealt, each player places a bet by placing a chip in the designated area. The value of the chip(s) you place down is up to you, but there are generally minimum and maximum bet limits that start from around $2 to $500, but this depends on the betting establishments rules.

When the first cards are dealt, the dealer will give each player one card facing upwards, and then give himself one card facing up. The second round of cards are delivered to players face up, while the dealer’s second card is placed face down.

Playing from the left, each player must decide whether they want to stand or hit. This means that a player can either stick with the original two cards that they have been dealt, or they can decide to have additional cards from the dealer. The player will then either stand if they have a hand value of 21 or under or go bust if they exceed the 21 goal. If the player loses by going over the value of 21, then the dealer collects the bet they wagered.

The dealer serves all the players in the same way and once this has been done, they will turn the down facing card up so the table can see his total. If the total of his two cards is more than 17, then the dealer must stand. However, if the total is under 17, then the dealer will continue to take cards until a value of 17 is reached.

Look at The Dealer’s Card

There are different strategies that are followed, but one of the main ones that nearly all players begin with is based on the dealer’s up facing card. If you can see that the dealer’s card is a high value (for example between 7 and 10) then the player should take additional cards until their value is at least 17. The main strategy behind this, and the whole game, is to not take an extra card if there is any risk that it could make you go bust.

Splitting Pairs

A popular strategy is the use of blackjack pair splitting. If a player is dealt two cards of the same value, then they can decide to either continue playing with those card values, or they can split them into two playable hands. Now, a player getting two cards of the same value can be beneficial as well as damaging.

For example, if two 10s are dealt to a player, then they have a strong hand they will want to stand with. However, being dealt two ‘2s’ can be less beneficial and the player may indicate to the dealer that they want to split the pair into two hands but place another equal bet by the original bet they placed.

But make sure that you place the second bet NEXT to the original bet and not on top of it! The player should also remember that they must play out the original hand they were dealt before they can play their split (second) hand.

Side Bets

Some games will see the inclusion of side bets. These are additional wagers that can be placed only at the beginning of the game when you play your main bets. Side bets can be placed on both your own hand, and the hand the other players will be dealt. The most popular side bets are perfect pairs and insurance.

However, it is advisable to avoid getting involved in side bets as they generally have a higher house edge compared to the game itself, so it really is recommended that you avoid them.

Most blackjack games are paid out at a minimum of 3 to 2 for a blackjack, but some casinos have increasingly started to offer games that only pay out 6 to 5 for blackjacks. This increases the house edge by 1.39% which makes the game a bad play, and one you should be avoiding.

A way to give yourself the upper hand when playing blackjack is not only to develop your understanding and strategy, but also to make sure you know what all the different terms mean. Here are a few of the most common terms you will hear and use while playing a game of blackjack. Another way to get an upper hand is to take advantage of Yukon’s 150 Free Chances offer! Don’t forget, you can play several casino games, such as slots, roulette, blackjack and video poker. All these games are playable at any Casino Rewards casino including Zodiac Casino, Villento and Captain Cooks Casino.