Try your Blackjack strategy at PepperMill Online Casino and beat the dealer!
Where did blackjack first begin?
Blackjack originated in France during the 17th century known as Vingt-et-Un 21. This was very popular under King Louis XV. From France the game spread to North America. Modifications where made and the name "blackjack" was added. Over the years the game evolved by making it a favorite online casino card game for beginners and experienced players alike because of the win odds.
Across the Atlantic, the game underwent a transformation in America. Here, after some rule tweaks, it acquired the now-famous name "Blackjack." This moniker likely stemmed from a special bonus offered for a hand containing an ace of spades and a black jack (which could be either the jack of clubs or spades). Over time, Blackjack shed this specific bonus rule and evolved into the familiar game we enjoy today.
How to play Blackjack?
Blackjack's charm lies in its straightforward rules. Played with a standard deck (or sometimes more!), the goal is simple: beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 without busting (going over).
Here's the lowdown on card values:
Picture cards Jack, Queen, King are worth 10 points each.
The Ace is your wild card, it can be either 1 or 11.
All other cards are worth their face value.
The game starts with both you and the dealer receiving two cards. You get to peek at both yours, but the dealer keeps one hidden, adding a touch of mystery.
Based on your hand value, you get to make some exciting decisions:
Hit: Want more cards? Go for a "hit" and draw another card.
Stand: Feeling confident? You can "stand" and stay put with your current hand.
Double Down: Feeling lucky? Double your original bet in exchange for just one more card.
Split (if applicable): Did you get a pair? You can split them into two separate hands, doubling your bet in the process.
If you have more then 21, that's a "bust" and you automatically lose. If you have 21 with your first two cards you've hit Blackjack and win a sweet payout of 1.5 times your original bet.
The best strategies
How to win Blackjack is not just a matter of luck. Playing strategically can certainly add to your chances of winning. Here are some of the most effective strategies you can use.
The basic strategy
The basic blackjack strategy cards are like cheat sheets that guide players on the best moves. This strategy reduces the casino's advantage and increases your chances of winning. It requires players to follow the following guidelines:
When to pass: Generally, if you have a total of 17 or higher, you should pass. Also, with a "soft" 18 or higher (a hand with an ace counted as 11), passing is usually the best choice.
When to hit: If you have a total of 11 or less, you should always take an extra card. also when stands on a soft 17 or lower (hand with an ace), it is often wise to hit.
Double Down: What is double down in blackjack, this is doubling your bet while asking for 1 more card. Doubling down at a total of 10 or 11 (with more points than the dealer) can be very profitable. This gives you the chance to double down after hitting if you have a strong hand.
When to Split blackjack: Always split pairs of aces and eights. Avoid splitting tens and fives.
The blackjack cheat sheet / the blackjack strategy chart or in other words, the chart blackjack, is visually shown so you can use this to your full advantage during your gaming time. We advise to play blackjack free through the demo modes so you don't lose money while trying out the strategies. We didn't include the side bets or when a dealer is standing
Card counting
Card counting is sometimes used by players to keep track of which cards have been played. This to determine whether the next cards are favorable to the player or the dealer. This gives them the a chance of drawing a particular card. Here are some basic principles:
- Low cards (2-6) are considered favorable to the dealer and are given a positive value (+1).
- High cards (10, jack, queen, king, ace) are considered favorable to the player and are given a negative value (-1).
- Neutral cards (7-9) are ignored in most counting systems.
Players raise their bets when the count is in their favor (many high cards left in the single deck) and lower them when the count indicates that the deck is rich in low cards. In an online casino, this strategy does not apply because of the Random Number Generator (RNG).
Doubling strategy
What is double down in blackjack? Here the player doubles his bet after each loss, that way it might be possible to recover the losses and maybe even make a small profit once he wins. This is very risky because of the table limits and the potential for larger uncomfortable losses. You could also say that this strategy is very similar to the Martingale Strategy in Roulette.
Splitting pairs
With this strategy, in the case of a pair (two cards of the same value), you will split into two separate hands. This can be especially beneficial with pairs of eights to aces.
Avoid insurance
In general, Blackjack player and experts say that it is not worth taking insurance when the dealer shows an ace. This option is usually not a good bet.
Shuffle tracking
Shuffle tracking is a technique where players try to track groups of cards during shuffling. This is a very complex strategy and requires advanced skills and practice, which is why we will not discuss it here. Also because it is impossible to be able to do this at a legal online casino.
Money management
Good money management is crucial. Set limits for your winnings and losses and stick to them. This promotes responsible gaming and protects your bankroll in the long run.
Playing first person blackjack
Search for tables with rules that are beneficial to the player. It is important to remember that no strategy offers a guaranteed win and there's a house edge. Players can increase their chances of winning. Also you can play blackjack online free by trying out the available demo modes.
Tips for beginners
It can seem like a daunting game for beginners, but with a few basic guidelines, one can soon play better and enjoy the game more.
Understand the basic rules: Make sure you have a clear understanding of how the game works. Know the value of each card and the basic actions (hit, stand, double down, split).
Use basic strategy: Learn and use basic strategy blackjack. Following this strategy reduces the house edge and increases your chances of winning.
Avoid insurance: Taking insurance seems like a good way to protect your bet, but statistically it is often not a profitable move.
Manage your bankroll: Set a budget for how much you are willing to lose and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses.
Practice online: Consider practicing online, where you can find free blackjack games. This gives you a chance to practice without financial risk.
How to beat the dealer
Beating the dealer requires more than just luck. Here are some advanced tips:
Pay attention to the dealer's card Your decisions should be based not only on your own cards, but also on the dealer's visible card. Beware of busts just Avoid taking unnecessary risks that could lead to a bust.
Learn the language: While playing, it is always helpful to understand terms such as pass, hit, split and surrender so that you too can impress players who are new to the game!
Take advantage of table variation: Play at tables with rules that are more favorable to the player, such as where the dealer must pass on soft 17.
Learn to count cards: Although difficult, card counting can give you a significant advantage. Start with simple systems and practice a lot.
Know your limits: Play within your comfort zone and don't suddenly increase your bets in an effort to win quickly.
By following these strategies and tips, beginners can improve their game, increase their win odds, and have more fun playing more.
Learn the rules by playing demo mode first
When you are contemplating on using all the rules blackjack has to offer, it could be even interesting to printout the blackjack chart when you are looking to get a feeling of all the win odds. This will help you to assess what choice you need to make when taking additional cards when you are playing online blackjack free. Like this you have the time to learn at your own pace and by your own risk appetite without any money spent.
Blackjack Variations: Explore the Exciting World of Different Rules
Blackjack comes in many flavors! Whether it's classic renditions such as European blackjack or intriguing twists like Spanish 21 and Pontoon, there's a variation for every taste. Get familiar with the unique rules, odds, and strategies of each variant, and become a pro in no time!
✅ What is Blackjack?
In this exciting card game, you play against the dealer and are dealt 2 face cards. The dealer will start the game with 1 closed and 1 nominal up card. To get as close to 21 as possible, you can get new cards by hitting.You can always pass, of course. As long as you have more than the dealer at the end and you don't have more than 21.
✅ What cards do you need?
You need all the cards from a normal deck. The numbers have their respective value, the “image cards" are worth 10 points and when you draw an Ace you have the choice between 1 or 11 points.
✅ Is online blackjack reliable?
At PepperMill Casino you can play online blackjack safely. We are a legal online casino since July 2, 2022 and meet all the strict requirements of Belgian legislation and the Gaming Commission.All of our online blackjack games have been verified by reputable testing agencies such that all outcomes of the game are completely random and independent of previous outcomes.
✅ What type of blackjack games can I find at PepperMill Casino?
At PepperMill we have both the Virtual as well as the non-virtual version of Blackjack. Nevertheless, with us you can find several variants of the traditional version or multihand. You will also find other versions so check them out soon!
✅ Where can I learn more?
On our blog page we provide posts that you can read when you are very interested in sharpening your skills. For example, articles are available on blackjack strategies, and the explanation of Blackjack, but you can also find more info in our text under the games of Blackjack.
✅ Do you have other table games besides Blackjack?
Of course in our table games you have different categories of the most fun games such as Roulette, Baccarat, Video Poker, Live Casino, Virtual Casino and card games.