The Most Popular Types Of Online Blackjack
Blackjack online comes in many variants and flavours. While all of these games follow the same principle and share the winning condition, the rules may vary. Subtle changes like the number of decks, the option to surrender, or the dealer standing or hitting on 17s make all the difference.
In fact, even the slightest rule variation affects the game’s house edge. The more flexible the rules, the better your odds of winning. But what’s “classic” and what are the alternatives, a newbie may wonder. Well, we’re listing and explaining some of the most common types of online blackjack in Australia.
The main feature that distinguishes types of variations is the moment when the dealer gets the so-called hole card. During the game of American Blackjack, the dealer receives it before the move of a player. Classic Blackjack also includes some additional rules about moves like doubling down and splitting. Even so, this online Blackjack for real money variation is the most popular one across different online casinos and international players.
In this variation, the dealer receives the hole card only when a player finishes the move. European Blackjack is recommended for experienced casino players because it’s more difficult and many additional restrictions are usually applied.
This blackjack online variant is among the newest ones and requires advanced skills as players are provided with two hands of cards. Cards can be switched from one hand to another, so the speed of playing is faster. As you get two hands, you often must place two bets instead of one. So, it’s a more expensive option, too.
In this variation, players may “surrender” their hand and give up half their stake rather than play out the remainder. It’s an option that gives players more control over their fate in a game that can often be decided by luck. What’s more, this variation offers strategic players a way to maximise their returns without risking their entire stake.
Super 7 Blackjack is another blackjack online variant for those who want to keep things interesting with unusual rules. The game has standard gameplay and spices things up with the Super 7 Side bet. Depending on the cards you get, you can get 3x to 5,000x your bet
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How to Play Blackjack Online In Australia: Your Essential Guide to 21
Getting started with blackjack online isn’t hard at all. You will surely need some time to understand the rules, player actions, and winning conditions. However, once you read our CasinoAus guide on playing online blackjack in Australia, you’ll be ready to go.
We advise you to test your understanding of the game in demo mode first. Then, you can consider playing online blackjack for real money.
Aussies love their real money pokies, but blackjack online has better payout rates. That’s why this game should be on your radar. With the help of online casinos, you can enjoy the game in demo mode or for real money 24/7. No need to leave that comfy couch of yours!
But before you get to joining casinos and claiming welcome bonuses, it’s important to know how the game unfolds. You won’t win any bucks unless you grasp the concept of hitting, standing, surrendering, and more.
Below, we explain each segment of the blackjack online gameplay in the order you’ll experience it at gambling sites.
Blackjack Basics: Grasping The Game
Playing online blackjack in Australia casino sites means playing against the dealer only. Your goal is to get a hand total of 21, or as close to 21 as possible.
Every game starts with you getting two face-up cards and the dealer getting one face-up and another face-down card. Each card has its face value, aside from the Ace and face cards. Aces are worth 1 or 11, while face cards are worth 10 points.
You, as the player, play your blackjack online hand first. If your hand goes over 21, it’s a bust, and you lose. If you stand below or at 21, it’s the dealer’s turn. Let’s learn more about these aspects of the game next.
Playing Your Hand
Once you’ve been dealt your initial two cards, you can choose from several options:
- Hit: Ask for an additional card to boost your hand’s value. You can hit as long as your count is under 21.
- Stand: Stick with your current hand and finish your turn.
- Double Down: Double your starting bet, and take one extra card.
- Split: If you have a pair, you can separate them into two different hands by placing another bet equal to your original wager. Depending on the variant, you may be allowed to split only once or a specific pair of cards.
If you play Blackjack Surrender, it’s possible to take the surrender action. In this case, expect to get half of your bet back.
The Dealer's Move
When playing in person, all players complete their actions before the dealer moves. When you play blackjack online against the computer, you complete your actions, and then it’s the dealer’s turn.
Either way, the dealer follows preset rules on how to act. The face-down card is revealed, and based on that, the dealer must stand or hit. Usually, they stand on hands totalling 17, but the rule varies by variation.
After all active hands are revealed, the winner takes their payout, and the loser loses their bet. In case of a tie, the full bet goes back to the player.
Card Counting: How It Works In Blackjack
Have you ever heard whispers about card counting and wondered what all the fuss is about? Well, let us tell you the basics of card counting and whether it helps when playing blackjack online.
The Magic of Card Counting: What Is It?
Card counting is a technique some blackjack players use to gain an edge over the house by keeping track of the cards dealt. Card counters can predict whether the remaining cards in the deck are likely to favour the player or the dealer. This information allows them to adjust their bets and playing decisions accordingly, increasing their chances of winning.
The Science Behind Card Counting
Per the technique’s principle, high cards (10s, face cards, and Aces) are more favourable to the player, while low cards (2-6) are more favourable to the dealer. High cards increase the chances of a player getting a blackjack (natural 21). They also make it more likely for the dealer to bust (go over 21) when they’re forced to hit. Knowing the proportion of high to low cards left in the deck can give players a significant advantage.
As we said, blackjack online games with RNG-generated outcomes aren’t a good fit for card counting. In most cases, every round is independent, so you can’t really count anything.
How to Count Cards In Blackjack
Contrary to popular belief, card counting isn’t about memorising every card dealt. Instead, it involves assigning point values to each card and maintaining a running count as the game progresses. One of the most well-known card counting systems is the Hi-Lo method.
In this system, cards are assigned the following point values:
- Low cards (2-6): +1
- Neutral cards (7-9): 0
- High cards (10-Ace): -1
As each card is dealt, players adjust their running count based on the point values of the cards. A positive count indicates that more low cards have been dealt, making the remaining deck richer in high cards. A negative count means the opposite.
Please note that shuffling the cards impacts your calculations. So, it’s important to know when and if that happens. Live blackjack online is a nice way of testing out this strategy, but do it carefully.
The Risks And Rewards of Card Counting
While card counting is a powerful strategy, it has risks. Casinos are well aware of card counting techniques and employ various measures to counteract them. Think of using multiple decks, shuffling more frequently, and closely monitoring players who consistently win.
Being caught card counting can lead to being banned from a casino or even facing legal consequences.
However, if you can master card counting and use it discreetly, the rewards can be substantial. Successful card counters have made a fortune using this technique, proving that honing your skills can help you beat the house.
Online Blackjack Tips
Set Limits
When playing online blackjack for real money in Australia we always remind you to play within your means and follow the Responsible Gambling principles. Do so by setting time and spending limits that help you stay in control.
Split a pair of 8s
Holding a pair of 8s gets you one of the worst possible blackjack online hands of 16. We recommend you split them.
Don’t split two 5s
Splitting 5s is never a good choice because landing an Ace gets you the best score. Doubling down or hitting are the best moves here.
Know when to stand
Stand on any hand with a value greater than 17. It’s smart to stand if your hand totals 12-16 against a dealer’s hand between 2-6.
Know when to hit
If the value of your hand is between 12 and 16 and the dealer’s hand is greater than 7, we recommend hitting.
Know where to play
Sign up at Australian online casinos like the ones our experts have tested and approved. You want your money to be in safe hands.
Live Dealer Online Blackjack
Online blackjack for real money in Australia has reached another level with the introduction of live dealer action. In this case, everything happens in real time and is streamed through multiple cameras to the players.
When playing live Blackjack, you get to interact with the dealer as well as other players from the comfort of your couch. You see the dealer draw cards while you do your actions using the player interface on the screen.
Depending on the rules, live casino blackjack is your best opportunity to count hands and employ playing strategies. RNG games are completely random, and each round comes with a shuffled deck. That’s not the case with live blackjack online.
Pragmatic Play Live, Evolution, Ezugi, LuckyStreak, and Authentic are some reputable suppliers of live blackjack. The variations are plenty and vary by provider and by casino. Expect table limits suitable for all budgets and VIP tables for Aussies looking for high-risk gameplay.
Mobile Blackjack Online
Please note that mobile blackjack and online blackjack are essentially the same thing, just the playing device differs. Australian players enjoy playing the card game on the move on smartphones and tablets. In that case, they’re playing mobile blackjack online.
Most providers we’ll list next have HTML5 games that fit any display size. In that sense, you can open any recommended gambling site (if it’s mobile-friendly) and play online blackjack for real money on your mobile.
What we described above is playing through browsers, i.e., instant play. Another alternative for mobile blackjack action is native mobile apps developed for Android or iOS devices. You must first download these before you can participate in blackjack online action.
Top Online Blackjack Providers
If you’re an Aussie player hoping to play blackjack online, you may want to know what provider supplies such games. In this section, we’ll mention and analyse some of the best-known developers of casinos that offer online blackjack for real money.
We can’t write about online casino card games and not mention the top-class products of Microgaming. The company has multiple online Blackjack games, ranging from traditional to wildly inventive ones.
Playtech is another brand worth considering. It offers some of the greatest live dealer Blackjack experiences on the market. It’s essential to note that smaller game studios also have solid offers of online blackjack for Australia customers. BGaming, Betsoft, Wazdan, Platipus, and Mascot are among those providers to keep your eyes on.
While here, we’d like to list some popular blackjack online variations that guarantee excellent gameplay:
- Double Exposure Blackjack
- Pontoon Blackjack
- VIP Blackjack
- American Blackjack
- Pirate 21 Blackjack
- Super 7 Blackjack
Why Is It Better to Play Blackjack at An Online Casino?
Blackjack online is safe and fair. Online casinos offer games by trusted and tested suppliers that employ the latest RNG technology. Every outcome is random and 100% fair. You will not have to worry about foul play when enjoying online blackjack for real money at our trusted sites.
Opportunity to improve your game. Playing online blackjack for real money in Australia is exciting, but it involves risking cash. Blackjack online gives you the opportunity to practice in demo mode and improve your game before wagering actual money.
Helpful tips and guidance to new and inexperienced players. Both blackjack casinos and blackjack game providers want customers to be happy and informed. That’s why they both offer in-depth game details and even tips and strategies. You won’t find such helpful content when playing in land-based venues.
Bonuses and rewards. Blackjack online casinos ensure their users have plenty of reasons to come back, aside from their top-class games. They often provide various bonuses, some of which can be used on card games. With such bankroll boosts, Aussies get better value for their money.
Blackjack Online Casino Bonuses
We’re aware that Aussies appreciate online blackjack for real money but also with some free cash. Of course, we refer to casino bonuses tailored to the needs of the card game fans.
We must point out that special bonuses for table and card games aren’t common. They do exist, but occasionally, and not at all casinos. Keeping track of them isn’t easy either. Your best chance is finding a site that offers a live dealer bonus, which you can use on blackjack.
Another thing to note regarding bonuses and blackjack online is the game’s low or no wagering contribution rate. Namely, at most casinos, it’s either banned to play with bonus funds or clear bonuses on blackjack. If it’s allowed, then the game’s contribution rate is much lower, at 10% or even 5%. So, you’d need to wager significantly higher amounts to clear your bonus funds.
Blackjack Glossary
Blackjack
Insurance
Dealer
Hit
Hole card
Push
Upcard
Stand
Bust
Split
Splitting pairs
Double down
Double down rescue
Surrender
Hard Hand
Soft hand
Shoe
Shoe penetration
Natural
Burn card
Australia Online Blackjack FAQS
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