What’s the best strategy for playing blackjack at online casinos?

Start by learning the fundamentals – which cards mean you should stand, hit, double, or split, et cetera. That will give you an advantage over people who simply rely on intuition (or superstition).

Watch for freebies – many sites now offer incentives to new players in the form of “sign-up” bonuses and cash-back promotions, though there may be certain conditions attached.

Choose games with good rules – for example, blackjack that pays 3:2 rather than 6:5. Games where the dealer stands on a soft 17 are also problematic.

Play within your limits. Don’t try to win back what you lost online. Pause and relax.

So, if you want to gamble professionally, don’t use a progressive system. Eventually, some luckless streak will break your bankroll. But if you’re doing it for entertainment value, just have fun – and be wise about how much you bet.

Learn basic strategy: It reduces the house’s advantage to a mere 0.5%. There are charts available online that tell you how to play every possible hand. Don’t take any side bets offered, because they increase the house’s advantage to over 10% in the average game. Be wary of rule changes, such as the dealer standing on soft 17. Accept free cash bonuses, but make sure you understand the wagering requirements. If you can’t stop playing, use the casinos’ free-play facility. Look for games called “European Blackjack, ” which have better rules for players. Set bet limits and time limits for your session. Enjoy!

First, pick up some rudimentary tactics – these are your secret weapons to reduce the house advantage. Always split aces and eights, never 10s; always double-down with 11s or 10s against a weak dealer face card.

So don’t believe all the superstition and hype. Read the small print (some websites do pay 3:2 on blackjack, not 6:5). Look for promotions (some websites pay more if you reach a particular player level or play at a live casino). Budget your money; treat it as though it were your pension fund. Start with small bets and move up slowly. And yes, dealers don’t want to cheat you. Just play the game as if it were a coin toss – it’s mostly luck with a tiny bit of skill added in.