Of course, when playing at any online casino, slot games are going to take up the majority of the gaming library and most of the bonuses, which makes sense. Still, today’s leading online casinos are increasing their blackjack portfolios. Why? Online blackjack is one of the most popular tabletop games today. Perfect for beginners and the go-to for seasoned players, there are many ways to outlast the dealer, which is why reading this article is a must to master online blackjack.
Understanding High-Stakes Online Blackjack
Whether playing for high stakes or smaller hands, the art of blackjack works the same, which is why it remains appealing to so many players. Unlike poker, blackjack involves players going against the dealer. Whether playing for a dollar or $500 a hand, players still strive to have a hand worth 21 or one that is higher than the dealer’s.
Most online casinos break up their online blackjack games for lower-budget players and those with higher bankrolls. For those with budget restrictions, there are usually plenty of standalone blackjack games in the game lobby. Also, for live dealer play, American Blackjack is usually available for as low as $1. For beginners and those still monitoring their budgets, Infinite Blackjack is another budget-friendly option.
Higher-stake blackjack games are usually reserved for VIP players. For live VIP Blackjack, players might have to be a member of the VIP Club or be on a particular level. Also, with live VIP Blackjack, these hands are usually quite steep. Expect to play anywhere between $50 to $500 per hand playing VIP Club Blackjack.
On the flip side, high-stakes Blackjack games follow the classic blackjack rules and often allow greater flexibility for surrendering weak hands and splitting pairs. Also, VIP Blackjack also usually accepts side bets to help beat the house.
Basic High-Stakes Blackjack Strategy
Like any other game, the first move is to choose an online Blackjack game with the most favorable RTP. Fortunately, most online Blackjack games excel in this category, with the average RTP being 99%. This is why many beginners flock to American Blackjack, not to mention that it is the most simple of all the online blackjack variants. We recommend starting with this variant before moving up to higher-stake games.
Counting Blackjack Cards
Not to be confused with the illegal card counting strategy, to excel at online blackjack, let alone high-stakes, requires understanding the basics of the card value. The tens, Kings, Queens, and Jacks all count for ten points. Aces count for either a point or eleven points. When there are two cards, aces count for eleven points because the hand is considered soft. With three or more cards, the aces count for a point. Deuces through nine carry their value on the card.
Each online blackjack hand begins with each player receiving two cards from the dealer, although CPU games don’t have a dealer. These cards are dealt face-up. The blackjack dealer also gets two cards. The upcard is the one that is left face-up for players to decide to hit or stand. The dealer’s second card is face-down to help keep players guessing.
Hitting and Standing
Whether playing for simple or high stakes, the aim is to have a playing hand that is 21 or higher than the dealer. However, if the playing hand exceeds 21, it results in “busting,” which means an automatic loss. The dealer can also bust, which means the player automatically wins.
To hit, however, is to draw another card. However, each hit brings the risk of busting. Standing down means not drawing any more cards and sticking with the hand you have. In all blackjack variants, especially high-stakes live blackjack games Free Bet and VIP Blackjack, the dealer must stand on a soft 17. A soft 17 or better is a playing hand with an ace and a 6. Therefore, the dealer must hit until it reaches 17 or higher, which opens the door for busting.
Doubling Down
All online blackjack games support doubling down, including for high stakes. Doubling down means drawing a third card, but it is the last for the current playing round. Please keep this in mind when playing high-stakes blackjack games because doubling down on low-value hands often leads to certain losses.
For example, doubling down with a playing hand worth eight or nine, or even ten, might leave you crippled with an overall playing hand of thirteen or fourteen, which leads you to the dealer’s mercy.
Utilizing Bonuses and Promotions
Unlike playing at retail casinos, online blackjack offers plenty of bonuses and promotional opportunities. You can bet on a generous welcome bonus to help you gain confidence and even some bankroll playing high-stakes online blackjack games.
Conclusion
The amazing world of online casinos continues to expand at a fascinating rate. With the massive expansion of social casinos, blackjack players can play for free at premium sites like McLuck Casino to better their crafts and winning strategy when it is time to play for high stakes. And with the rise of AI in the creative gaming development process, look for the allure and stakes for online blackjack to go even higher.
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