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Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games out there (see here: https://www.statista.com/topics/3400/gambling-industry-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/), and it’s easy to see why. With a fast pace and relatively simple rules, blackjack is not only great fun, but also an opportunity for you to go toe-to-toe with the banker.

Online versions of blackjack have taken on new significance in recent years, and for many, this method of play trumps going to the casino, and it’s also far more accessible. What’s more, due to its popularity, blackjack has now ventured into the online gaming world, with virtual reality blackjack games readily available.

Virtual reality blackjack applies exactly the same rules, but offers a hyperreal experience which is usually reserved for console and PC games. In more recent times, however, these lines have become blurred, and casino games are getting in on the act.

Whatever your preference, www.onlinecasinoinfo.com is an excellent starting point for beginners and helps you to find the best online casinos on the web.

So, if you’re a complete beginner but you’d like to try your hand at online blackjack, you’ve come to the right place. Below are some basic rules, as well as a few hints and tips for blackjack beginners.

Setting your stake

Whichever online casino you decide to play at, you’ll be able to manually adjust your stake between each hand. Always double check that you’re comfortable with your stake before drawing your first card, as you may end up playing for more than you intended.

If you beat the banker, your stake will be doubled. If you get a blackjack (an ace and a picture card or 10), the usual pay ratio is 3:2, meaning a £10 stake would return £25.

Your hand

The dealer will deal two cards to every player from left to right as they see it, as well as dealing one shown card to themselves, and one hidden. The dealer will then work from left to right, giving players the option to ‘hit’, ‘stand’, or ‘double down’. A ‘hit’ gives you a third card, you then have the option to ‘hit’ again, or stand – assuming the value of your cards has not exceeded 21. If the latter happens, you’re out of the game.

Once you’ve stuck, the dealer will move onto the next player. Once this process is complete, they will reveal their second card, and must draw another if the combined value of their cards is lower than 17. If the dealer is forced beyond 21, all players who are still in the game will receive an even money payout.

Doubling down

If you’re encouraged by your opening two cards against the dealer’s, you have the option of doubling down. If you are adopting this approach you must, firstly, double your stake, and secondly, you must take a third card.

If your opening two cards total 11, this is the perfect time to double down, as you are one picture card away from an almost guaranteed win. In the unlikely event that the dealer also reaches 21 exactly, you’ll simply keep your stake. This is known as a push.

Splitting

If you initially get dealt a pair of cards of the same value, e.g, a pair of 7s, you have the option to double your stake and ‘split’ your cards, creating two hands against the dealer’s one. This doubles your chances of winning, but is usually only worth doing if you have two relatively useless numbers.

For example, two 7s is unlikely to beat the dealer and is a risky hit, as you are liable to go bust, so splitting a pair of 7s is usually a good strategy.