What you should know about Blackjack when playing on mobile

Certainly the most popular casino card game and a favourite card game across the world; known by many different names including '21', 'pontoon' or 'vingt-et-un', Blackjack is one of the easiest card games to learn, yet beguilingly, one of the most difficult to master.

Blackjack's appeal stems from two factors; the first of these is its simplicity. The game is incredibly easy to pick up even for a complete novice. Indeed, many players gain their first taste of card games playing a friendly game of '21' with their parents or friends.

In a casino environment of course, the aim of the game is the same but there is the betting element, but even the betting element is very easy to understand; you select how much you wish to bet, if you win then you double your money (in most cases) and if you lose, you lose the bet.

The second element of appeal stems from the fact that of all casino games, blackjack is arguably the one which offers players the best chance of success in terms of house edge. Furthermore, the more you develop your strategic understanding of the game and can play to a proven strategy, you can almost cut the house edge to a fraction above 0%.

That is as close to a 'fair' game in the casino as you are likely to find.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at why Blackjack remains one of the most popular card games ever invented.

What is Blackjack?

To most people, the game of blackjack appears to be about scoring as close to, or exactly, 21 without going over and busting your hand. Indeed, ask a room of people what the game is about and they will likely give you an answer very similar to the one above.

However, the game of blackjack is not about getting as close to 21 as possible. The one aim of the game is to beat the dealer, regardless of the total of the cards that you hold in your hand.

Of course, the closer you get to 21, the stronger your hand will be, but what is absolutely fundamental is to understand that if the dealer busts, then you win, regardless of whether your hand is very close to 21, or some considerable distance from it.

In most versions of blackjack, the game starts with the dealer dealing you a cards face up and themselves a card face up. You are then dealt a second card to your hand. Card values are as printed from 2 through to 10, with all picture cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) counting 10 and Aces counting as either 1 or 11.

Once the player has been dealt their cards they usually can then either elect to hit, which is to receive another card from the pack to add to their total, or they can stand, which means to decline to draw another card and hold onto the cards in your hand in the hope they will beat the dealers total.

If you hit and draw another card and the total in your hand exceeds 21, then you are bust and you lose.

Occasionally, you may be presented with other options in your hand. If you receive two cards of the same value you can split the cards and create two hands (this costs you another wager of the same value of your initial bet).

You can also elect to double down, which means you pay another bet into your hand of the same amount as your initial bet, but then you receive just one card from the pack and you must then stick with those cards (unless the drawn card sees you bust, in which case you lose the bets).

The player can stand at any point, regardless of the total that they hold in their hand. However, the dealer must continue to draw cards until they either achieve a score greater than what is stated. Usually, what the dealer must draw to is clearly shown on the table and in most cases the dealer will draw until they have at least achieved either hard or soft 17.

A soft 17 being any score of 17 achieved with an ace in their hand (Ace and 6) and a hard 17 is a total of 17 achieved with any two cards other than an ace, such as a 9 and an 8, or a King and a 7.

Once the outcome of the dealers cards are decided, the dealer will then pay out those players that beat their score or collect in the bets from players who are beaten by the dealer. The game will then continue with players placing their next bet and new cards being dealt.

How to play Blackjack

One of the best things about blackjack for casino players is that this is a game where strategy can have a clear influence on your chances of success. Indeed, there is a dedicated blackjack strategy which you can download and follow which gives you clear guidance at what to do at every point based on the total of the cards you hold, compared to the face up card of the dealer.

Exponents of this strategy claim that it can reduce the already low house edge to an even smaller amount, meaning that the game offers you a better chance of success and profitability in the longer term.

Key strategic elements here are knowing when to hit based on what face value card the dealer has, as well as knowing when to split cards or double down.

The great thing about basic blackjack strategy is that a player does not need to learn the strategy by heart. You can download a 'cheat sheet' which outlines what action to take at every turn against the dealers cards and use it while playing on your PC or mobile device.

This is certainly the best and likely most profitable way to play blackjack and has millions and millions of hands testing to prove its value.

Don't be tempted by blackjack systems that 'guarantee' a success like the Martingale or Labouchere systems; these can work over the short term but it only takes a small run of losses (which is statistically probable over a decent period of time) and it become prohibitive to make the bets to make these systems work.

At its most simplest, the key to playing blackjack is to base your judgement not on how close to 21 you are, but on the likely strength of the cards that the dealer holds, based on the face value card.

What are my chances when playing Blackjack?

The great news for punters is that Blackjack is a game which offers one of the lowest house edges of any casino game and that this house edge is lowered still further, when you play to a proven blackjack strategy.

Of course, this means that you can expect to win, very roughly, about 48% to 49% of the time, over the long term, which is as good an odds as you are likely to find in any casino game.

However it is important to note that over a short term session, you could win significantly more often, or less often than this.

If you don't play to a strategy then your chances of success do diminish somewhat.

The good news is that in terms of casino games, you arguably have the best chance of making a long term profit, however small, with blackjack than with any other type of casino game.

There are many variations of 'online' Blackjack

There are at least 40 variations to blackjack online today. It seems a lot but there are also millions of fans. Here are four mobile blackjack games you can start playing on your smartphone or tablet.

Atlantic City Blackjack

Atlantic City Blackjack is an ideal game for a beginner to blackjack to come and learn the rudiments. Players are not confused by playing several hands at once against the dealer. Learn more.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack "Gold" is played with two 52 card decks that are shuffled after every game. At your local casino they would use four or six decks of cards. Learn more.

Classic Blackjack

This is the single-hand version of the game and it is an ideal starting place for a novice player seeking to learn more about blackjack. Learn more.

Vegas Downtown Blackjack

This is an immaculate version of the popular casino game which plays to Hole Card rules, which means that if the dealer is dealt a card with a value of 10 or an Ace, then he will peek at the next card before you make your decision about your hand. Learn more.

Where can I play mobile Blackjack?

The great thing about online and mobile blackjack is that it is easy to read tutorials and tips even whilst playing. You can't do that at your local casino! So learn first then hit the casinos!

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