Some people think that blackjack is the perfect casino table game. It’s fun, challenging but not too complicated, and it has some of the best odds in the casino.
Unfortunately, there are those gamblers who refuse to give online blackjack a try. Dissenters and critics of online casinos often allege that playing blackjack online is pointless.
Many argue that the game can be rigged, and the best aspects of blackjack aren’t present in online versions of this classic casino game. But to be clear, online blackjack isn’t an inferior product, it’s just a bit different.
The game itself is essentially the same in terms of rules and strategy. Additionally, it’s possible to win plenty of money gambling online.
But to make sure you’re putting yourself in the best position to gamble profitably, you must take care of a few things. Here are six things gamblers need to know to achieve success while playing online blackjack.
1 ‒ Every Online Casino Is Different
Not all online casinos are the same.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has experience gambling online or in person. If you go to Las Vegas, The Venetian is going to offer a different gambling experience than Circus Circus.
Similarly, real money online casinos offer different types of gambling. But the one thing that connects all gambling establishments is the games — well, for the most part.
When gambling online, it’s important to make sure that the online casino you deposit with is reputable. There’s nothing worse than doing business with a dishonest online casino or sports gambling website.
Disreputable sites have been known to drop the odds on games and make players jump through countless hoops to cash out their winnings. Life’s far too short to waste time with one of these types of entities.
Luckily, they are few and far between, but make sure to at least read customer reviews before you settle on a particular online casino.
2 ‒ Similarities to In-Person Blackjack
As you might already know, there are many similarities between gambling online and in person. As I mentioned earlier, the most noteworthy is the game you’ll play.
Blackjack is one of the most consistent and well-known casino games in the world. Most of the time, the only difference between tables is the minimum bet, number of decks, and blackjack payout amount.
Besides that, all games of blackjack are virtually the same, which means you should have a good chance of winning money.
Just like in-person blackjack, most online casinos offer games where players have just under a 50% chance of winning. Those odds are contingent on a player’s abilities to play with perfect strategy and completely by the book.
If a player fails to play according to the book and makes careless mistakes, those odds will decrease.
But the rules, gameplay, order of play, and “table etiquette” remain the same. It’s much easier to demonstrate sound table etiquette while gambling online.
Because of that, beginner gamblers and less-skilled gamblers will often find it much easier to hold their own online than at a casino.
3 ‒ Differences You’ll Discover Online
Technically speaking, online blackjack and traditional blackjack are the same. However, several dissimilarities can make the way the game is played feel quite different.
In casinos, the typical blackjack table features a dealer surrounded by several gamblers playing cards. Those tables can be great places to converse with other players and pick their brains about an assortment of topics.
That sense of camaraderie and community is still something online casinos have yet to capture effectively. For less social gamblers, they might rather avoid the awkward chit-chat.
But sometimes, the connections and social interactions can be the best part of blackjack. In other words, the online gambling experience is isolated and lacks in the possibility of interpersonal relationship building.
If your primary goal is to make money and you’re not all that concerned with making friends, online blackjack is ideal.
One of the other striking differences can be the pace of play, depending on the sports gambling site you visit. At a full table In a brick and mortar casino, you’d be lucky to squeeze in 60 hands per hour.
However, playing online can drastically increase the number of possible hands played. For skilled players, this means more profit. For unskilled players, it means losing money at a quicker pace.
4 ‒ Take Your Time
The thought of playing twice or even three times as many hands online sounds appealing. When you gamble online, the human element typically responsible for delays is removed.
You don’t have to wait around for a dealer to shuffle a deck and distribute winnings or face the possibility of gambling with slower players. Sharp gamblers might be able to take full advantage of this situation.
More hands per hour can lead to more profit. But when subpar gamblers don’t take their time, profitable gambling isn’t realistic.
When you’re sitting around a casino table, delays can seem quite inconvenient. But the truth is that those delays and breaks in the action are beneficial for gamblers.
By taking a few seconds or minutes away from the game, you can reset and refocus your attention. This is a useful tactic for anyone who is struggling to win.
Slowing down will likely benefit you in the long run. Even though the pace of play is faster online, it’s important to be meticulous, thorough, and deliberate in your decision-making.
5 ‒ Treat Online Credit Like Chips in a Casino
One of the most important keys to surviving and thriving in the world of blackjack is bankroll management. In many ways, managing your bankroll online is much easier than at a traditional casino.
When you exchange cash for plastic chips, money can lose its value. However, that exchange doesn’t really occur online, and it’s much easier to keep track of your financial standings.
Despite this, it’s still possible to spiral and lose control of your bankroll rapidly.
Most online casinos allow players to change their bet amount with the click of a mouse. While convenient, this eliminates the necessity of players to make a completely cognitive change to their betting amount.
To increase your bet size at a table in a casino, a player must take additional chips out of their stack and place them with the rest of their bet. The same can’t be said for online casinos.
Like the benefit of a faster pace of play, convenience and ease of access aren’t always a good thing. Gamblers without bankroll management skills might find it hard to be conservative with bet sizes online.
If losses begin to pile up, it’s important to take a breath and reassess your strategic approach. It’s easy to assume things will start to turn back into your favor.
However, sometimes, the reason you’re losing has nothing to do with fortune and everything to do with the person placing bets.
6 ‒ Don’t Pay Attention to Naysayers
There are several pros and cons to gambling online, just like gambling in person. But the negative aspects of gambling online certainly do not outweigh the positive ones.
Still, dissenters seem to be convinced that playing blackjack online is a waste of time and money. A typical argument against playing online blackjack boils down to one of four contentions:
- Online casinos are rigged.
- Online blackjack doesn’t capture the essence of the game.
- In-person blackjack is superior in every aspect.
- There’s more money to be made at brick and mortar casinos.
First and foremost, online casinos aren’t rigged. While there have been a few cases of phony casinos stealing from customers, the number is infinitesimally small.
Some of the best parts of blackjack are indeed lost in the online version. But as I said, some people will find the lack of interactions with other gamblers appealing.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions but it’s completely biased to claim that online blackjack is inferior in every way, shape, and form. Finally, if you’re playing with a reputable casino, the odds will likely be comparable to traditional casino gambling.
Conclusion
Becoming a successful online blackjack player is much easier than you would think.
The same practices that will win you money at traditional casinos should do the same for you on the internet. As long as you’re playing responsibly, within your means, and by the book, you stand a good chance of winning money.
But before you deposit with an online casino, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, always make sure the casino you’re gambling with is reputable. Don’t give your money to a casino that is known to withhold winnings from its clients.
Inform yourself of all the differences between the two styles of blackjack. Much of your in-person experience will benefit you online, but there are still a few key differences.
One of those major differences is the rapid pace of play. Just because you have the opportunity to play more hands per hour, it doesn’t mean you should. More hands per hour can mean more money lost if you’re making mistakes that could be avoided.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …