How to Win at Blackjack Online?

Blackjack remains a crowd-pleaser across the Philippines, captivating players with its blend of luck and strategy. While you can't dictate the cards you're dealt, you have full control over how you play them. Winning at online blackjack in the Philippines hinges on understanding probability and sticking to fundamental strategy rules. In this guide, we'll dive into how to master online blackjack.

1. Grasping Blackjack Probability

To boost your winning streak in blackjack online, it's crucial to get a handle on probability basics. In a standard 52-card deck, there are 16 cards worth ten points. This includes tens, jacks, queens, and kings. Consequently, the odds of the next card being a ten are quite high. Armed with this knowledge, you can make smarter decisions about when to hit or stand.

You'll start with two cards, while the dealer gets one face-up and one face-down. If you assume the dealer's hidden card is a ten, you can adjust your strategy based on their visible card. For instance, if the dealer's upcard is an eight, nine, or ten, it's wise to anticipate a strong hand from them and play your own hand more aggressively.

Smart Moves: Doubling Down and Splitting

Doubling down and splitting are popular blackjack strategies that can enhance your potential winnings. However, use them wisely. Doubling down means doubling your initial bet for just one more card. Splitting allows you to turn a pair into two separate hands, drawing an extra card for each.

Refer to a basic strategy chart to nail the perfect moments for doubling down or splitting. Generally, it's best to double down only a few select times and avoid splitting two tens. Following these guidelines can significantly improve your odds in online blackjack.

Steer Clear of Progressive Betting Systems

Progressive betting systems, where bets increase after wins or losses, might seem appealing but can quickly drain your funds and lead to overspending. A flat betting system is the way to go; avoid progressive systems to increase your chances of winning at blackjack.

Skip the Side Bets

While tempting, those extra side bets often come with significant risks. They usually carry a higher house edge than the main game, rapidly depleting your bankroll. It's best to focus on the primary game and skip side bets to improve your probability of winning.

2. Understanding Card Counting Basics

Although there's no magic formula for winning every blackjack hand, you can improve your odds by sidestepping common mistakes. A prevalent error is falling for side bets like Perfect Pairs or 21+3. These might offer tempting payouts (often a sweet 25:1 or even 100:1), but they carry a high house edge. Insurance bets are another pitfall; in the long run, they usually cost more than they're worth. Avoid them to maximize your chances.

Players looking to win at blackjack, in the long run, may want to consider card counting. This strategy involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to determine the likelihood of certain cards appearing in future hands. However, it's important to note that card counting is not foolproof and may not always lead to a win.

3. Practice More and More

After learning the basics, you should practice as much as possible. As a complete beginner, it might be hard at first, but after some time, you will see how easy it is. Don't lose focus and continue practicing with consistency. You won't have to worry about spending your money while playing, as in almost every online casino. You will be able to practice for free for as long as you want to. So, keep practicing until you get better and start with a bit of money. Get the grasp of playing while spending money, and you will be able to get used to the feeling soon.

Using a Blackjack Strategy Chart

A strategy chart is a helpful tool for making informed decisions during the game based on the hand value and the dealer's upcard. It can reduce the likelihood of making costly mistakes and enhance the chance of winning. Players should ensure to use a chart that matches the rules of the game.

4. Figure Out the Number of Card Decks the Online Casino Uses

Not all online casinos will use the same card decks. Some might use a different one, so it is better to find the card decks the online casino uses. This way, you will be able to keep tabs on almost everything.

Reputable online casinos shuffle the cards after each hand using a Random Number Generator. It is impossible to follow the cards being dealt because of this. Additionally, even though it is impossible to count cards online, you can improve your chances by keeping track of the cards that have already been used.

5. Never Split Two Face Cards and Always Split Aces and 8’s

Rookie players frequently make this error because they believe separating face cards and tens would quadruple their earnings. Statistically speaking, splitting face cards is never a good idea because you risk losing twice as much money if the new cards you draw aren't the ones you want in exchange for the high likelihood of winning with a 20.

This should be obvious, if not already. By splitting these, you are betting that at least one face card will appear to give you a firm hand. A pair of 8s gives you the dreaded 16. You have several possibilities to create a winning hand because even a 1, 2, or 3 are all solid cards to pull to an 8. A pair of Aces also gives you an unfavorable hand value of either 2 or 12, so splitting them and hoping for 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s to appear is a much better idea.

6. Know When to Quit

You must set a limit to the amount of time you play and the amount of money you will spend. Never cross the boundary you have selected. You should also set a limit on winning. Let's suppose your limit to win is $100, and you have achieved it, then stop for the day. Do not get greedy and lose what you have already won.

On the other hand, if your losing limit is $50, then immediately stop when you have lost that large amount and give it a rest. Never let your emotions play the game. Play Blackjack with a calm mind while keeping the odds in mind. Always look for something new and try out different things in the practice area. This way, you will win more often.

7. Manage your Blackjack Bankroll

Another significant factor in winning at blackjack online is bankroll management. Players should set a budget for themselves and avoid betting more than they can afford to lose. Chasing losses is a surefire way to lose even more money, so it's indispensable to avoid this practice.

Players should also set a win goal and stop playing once they've reached it. This prevents players from losing all their winnings due to a streak of bad luck. By practicing good bankroll management, players can increase their chances of winning at blackjack while minimizing their losses.

Final Ideas on How to Win Blackjack

Winning at blackjack online requires a combination of luck and skill. Though the fortune of the draw can’t be managed, players can manage what they do with their hands. So, they can increase their chances of winning at blackjack by understanding probability, following basic strategy rules, practicing good bankroll management, and taking advantage of the benefits of playing online.

However, it's important to remember that the house always has an edge, and there is no guaranteed way to win every time. When mastering the basic strategy, the house edge in the game is reduced to approximately 0.50%. So, we can say with some confidence that by following a solid strategy, players will have some winning sessions.

To do so, there are 3 rules to follow:

• Do not play blackjack side bets. They are a losing proposition.
• Don’t take insurance. Like side bets, insurance costs players more than it’s worth over time. Steer clear.
• Always follow the Blackjack Strategy chart.