By now, you’re probably familiar with a lot of what VC Poker has to offer, but there’s more to the VC brand than just playing cards. There’s a whole range of gambling options, including sportsbetting and casino games. One of the most popular areas of the flash compatible casinos is blackjack. We’ll take a break from poker to take a look at blackjack in more detail and reveal the strategies that will help you leave the table a winner.

The most widely played casino game in the world is Blackjack.  The key to its popularity is in its simplicity; the rules are very easy to learn.  To be successful at Blackjack, players must read about and understand the strategy of the game. Unlike playing online bingo, there’s an actual skill and strategy to blackjack. Casinos have created dozens of Blackjack variants for those looking for Blackjack with a twist.  With Blackjack’s transition to online gambling, its popularity will only grow. Online blackjack now easily sits along side other popular online casino games.

The basic rules of Blackjack are simple. Anyone who’s just made their first online casino amex deposit should have no trouble getting to grips with the rules.  The Blackjack dealer (the casino) is pit against one to seven players.  The dealer deals all players two cards face-up, deals himself one card face-up and another face-down.  Picture cards are worth ten while aces are worth one or eleven (whichever creates the best hand).  All other cards are valued as the number shown.  The player’s objective is to obtain a value higher than that of the dealer or hope the dealer busts (goes over 21).  As play goes around the table, players must decide to “hit” (take a card) or “stay” (leave their cards the way they are).  The dealer is last to act and all players win if he goes over 21.  A dealer is bound by a set of rules for hitting or staying.  Any “blackjack” (two cards that equal 21; an ace and a ten) must be immediately shown, they must hit on 16 and lower, and generally stay with any value above 16. It’s as easy as slinging virtual quarters into a slot machine download.

There is a basic strategy in Blackjack that will maximize a player’s expected value. Unlike other fun casino games like online slots, there is a real cerebral skill to playing good Blackjack.  Players must keep the card the dealer is showing in mind when playing Blackjack.  Players base their actions around this card and the value of their cards.  The card the dealer is not showing should always be assumed to be worth ten (since there are more tens in the deck than any other card).  The dealer must hit on anything valued below 17.  This means players should stay whenever a dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or 6 showing.  With a 13, 14, 15, or 16, there is a large chance of the dealer busting and any player in the hand winning.  If the dealer has anything above a 6 showing, players must base their decision on the cards they have.  Any hand valued at 16 or below should hit to try and improve their hand.  If a player has above 16, they should stay with hopes that this hand will beat the dealer’s.  There are many other situations that you may find yourself into but these rules should help with the bulk of the situations.

Many Blackjack variants have increased in popularity over the years on download free casino clients.  Brick & mortar and online casinos offer different Blackjack variants.  For example, Spanish 21 is a variant of Blackjack found at many brick & mortar casinos.  The rules in Spanish 21 are more liberal than those of regular Blackjack, such as doubling down any number of cards.  There is one huge difference between Spanish 21 and regular Blackjack: there are no tens in the deck.  Online casinos feature a popular variant called Blackjack Switch where players are dealt two hands and are allowed to switch cards between hands.  This may sound appealing but blackjacks only pay even money (as compared to the standard 3:2) and dealers push on 22.  This makes Blackjack Switch even more profitable for the casino than standard Blackjack (even though it may seem the switch gives players the advantage).

The classic game of Blackjack appeals to gambling veterans and newcomers alike.  The strategy behind Blackjack should be learned to ensure expected value is maximized.  Variants offer fun alternatives to Blackjack but have a lower expected value. To make a little extra cash, you can always combine your new-found blackjack expertise with a no deposit casino bonus. Blackjack can be found at brick & mortar and online casinos alike.  If online Blackjack sounds more appealing, there is no better place to play than VC Casino, sister site of VC Poker.