Play Blackjack Online in Canada

It is easy to find an online casino to play blackjack with almost all bookmakers offering the game. Some will be live dealer games which allow you to gain some interaction with other players while you are there and some will just be a video game against a computer dealer.

It is important to know the rules of blackjack before you begin to place bets on a hand or you are on a surefire losing strategy. While card counting is frowned upon it is not illegal so it is a smart idea to be paying close attention to understand what cards are left in the deck. The difference between a string of picture cards already being gone compared to a lot still to come is a huge part of what strategy you need to play against the house.

Naturally, it is harder to do when you are playing online unless it is a live game. If you are playing video blackjack then you will be playing against a random algorithm when the cards are allocated to you so for those who have a retentive memory and would like to put that to the test, then we would advise that you look for a live dealer offering to play.

The aim of blackjack is very simple. In some parts of the world, it is known as 21 as the aim is to make 21 points from the cards in your hand. You place a bet at the start of each hand where you are dealt two cards with the dealer also taking two cards for themselves. 

A dealer’s hand will normally be dealt with one card face up and one card face down. The target is to have a higher total number in your hand than the dealer to win the hand without going over 21. Anything over 21 is declared ‘bust’ and the hand is over.

What makes the game so easy is that the card values are simple to remember. The number cards from two to nine are all worth exactly what it says on the card. A jack, queen and king are all worth 10 and an ace is worth either one or 11, you can take your pick. If the two cards that you are dealt are a ten, jack, queen or king along with an ace, that is a blackjack, the best hand that is possible.

If you are dealt a pair of smaller cards and are a long way from 21 you would ask for another card by simply saying (if at a casino) or clicking on (if online) ‘hit’ which will see you given an extra card by the dealer. Once you are satisfied with the cards in your hand and what they add up to, you would ‘stand’ which lets the dealer know that you are done.

As a general rule, players are looking to get at least 16 in their hand before they consider standing, although it is not easy to win when you have 16. A dealer has to keep drawing cards until they have at least 17 or go bust.

It is crucial to keep an eye on what the dealer has as their face-up card. If they have an ace, then you will be offered insurance in case the dealer has a blackjack. The rules of insurance are very simple, you place a separate bet which returns 1:1 in the case of the dealer having a blackjack, although you do of course lose your original bet. 

If you have been dealt a hand that is looking good compared to the dealer then you can double down which is to double your stake in exchange for one more card. Knowing when to add to your stake and use this strategy is vital.

You can also split the cards that you are dealt into two and place a second bet. There are certain conditions in which you will always do this and some others where it is considered the right move which we will discuss in more detail below.

If your cards are higher than the dealer without going bust then you win, if they are lower then you lose and if they are the same then it is a push and your money is returned to you. Check the casino rules before you start to play as some might give a tie to the house and there are even those where a dealer blackjack beats the player even if that player holds a blackjack so be sure to avoid those that give the house an unfair advantage. 

A winning hand is normally paid out at 1:1 with a blackjack paid out at either 3:2 or 2:1. With 2:1 being a bigger return, try and find a casino that pay out at this rate before you start to get the most out of it.

• When to hit or stand
• Knowing when to split
• Doubling down
• Keep a clear head at all times
• Learn from your mistakes

There are certain things that are worth knowing when it comes to playing blackjack, some tips and tricks of the game if you will. Some of these are a little more obvious than others but it is worth knowing these if you want to play blackjack at an online casino in Canada.

Although at the heart of the game, it is so simple, just trying to score 21 with the cards in your hand, there is a lot of nuance which makes it a game that is a great mental challenge for those who like to get their brain working. To be able to play blackjack well demands a huge amount of concentration so make sure that when you are playing, there are no external distractions such as the TV being on as a small mistake is very easy to make when you are not paying the game sufficient respect.

When to hit or stand

This depends on how bold a player you are. There is nothing to stop you from a hit when you have 20 in your hand, hoping that an ace turns up but that is borderline insanity! For most players, you stand when you get to 17 or above as that is what the dealer has to do and the more you have in your hand, the smaller the percentage chance of being dealt a card that is of a small enough value to be of benefit to you without going bust. 

Knowing when to split

There are two situations when all blackjack players would say you must split your cards. These are when you are dealt a pair of aces and a pair of eights. The aces are fairly self-explanatory. Split them and it gives you two chances of getting a blackjack which is the top hand and the one that everyone is looking for. 

The eights are because being dealt 16 is a tough hand which leaves a bettor in no-man’s land. It is hard to beat the house with a 16 as the dealer has to play to 17 in most casinos so it is best to split them up and again, hope that you get a picture card or a 10 to go with them.

You can only split cards that are of the same value but in general, the two main hands that you would split them are above. Some players will split other pairs but it is dependent on what is showing in the dealer’s hand at the time. 

The one time that you would not split is if you have a pair of 10’s. The chances of being given a couple more picture cards, or even better a pair of aces, are very slim. You already have 20 in your hand and this is more than enough to win a large number of games.

Doubling Down

Not all tables will have the same double down rules so check them before you play but this is a great strategy if you are playing where you can only see a single card rather than both then if your first card shown is a nine or above and the dealer has a five for example, this is a good time to double your bet. One local rule can be that you are only allowed to double down if you hold a certain amount in your hand so it is best to be aware of how the table is played before you try. 

The other smart time to double is when you have 11 in your hand from the first two cards you have been dealt. It is impossible to bust from this position and it does not take too much luck to get a high-value card given as your third one to give you a strong hand.

Keep a clear head at all times

This might sound like an obvious tip but it is still one that is ignored by so many. Gambling in a casino, especially in Las Vegas, is synonymous with having a few free cocktails but gambling and drinking at the same time is an awful idea. The alcohol impairs your ability to make rational and clear decisions which gives the house a bigger edge.

Nobody enjoys losing money but it happens in gambling and the best bettors are those who understand that losses will happen and are able to keep their cool. Channel the loss into a learning experience for the next time that those same cards are dealt. If you are tired or feeling down then having a bet is not a good idea, please always gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. 

Learn from your mistakes

This is hugely important in all betting be it on sports or on casino games, learn from when you lose a bet. The professional bettors all do this, they are able to analyse their losing hands and how they could play differently the next time they are in the same situation. Having an analytical and inquisitive mind is certainly a plus for those who want to play blackjack at a good level and certainly, if you want to take on the casinos.

There are a lot of free blackjack games that you can find online which are perfect for honing your skills before you try to play games for money at the online betting sites. If you are new to blackjack and would like to give it a try for the first time then this is an ideal way of going about it so that you are not going to lose money playing a game that you have no experience of playing. 

The time to learn blackjack and the winning combinations is relatively short as it is not the hardest game to learn which is ideal. Blackjack is the same as anything, the more repetition that you have, the more likely that you will be able to play to a higher standard. If you are playing online then you can have some notes sitting next to you on your laptop or phone which can help you as you play the free games and are a great learning tool. 

Even when you are a more experienced player of blackjack, there is no rule to say that you cannot just kick back and enjoy yourself by continuing to play free blackjack rather than betting on each hand as you go along.