Possibly the oldest casino card game is also the most popular. Many casinos have multiple Blackjack tables, and the same goes for Bovada, with so many different ways to play online Blackjack.
BLACKJACK AT BOVADA
Classic Blackjack, the standard game that players have been playing since somewhere around the 17th century in France, is one of the versions of Blackjack that online players can enjoy at Bovada.
The simplicity of the game is part of its popularity. You play to 21 against a dealer and hope that you beat them or have them bust (go over 21).
But there are so many great online Blackjack variations to play at Bovada that you’ll find endless ways to play – and hopefully cash in some big winnings.
There are 16 different Blackjack and Blackjack-themed games on our site right now. Everything from the classic version to Double Deck Blackjack to cool variations like Dragon Blackjack and Pirate 21.
You can explore all those games and find the ones you like the best, but right now let’s focus on diving deeper into the original online Blackjack…
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THE BASIC STRATEGY CHART
Every Blackjack hand has a decision-making formula behind it. That doesn’t mean players need to follow it 100% of the time – sometimes players like to go with their gut feelings and vibes—but it is a guide to the best probabilities for the player.
The chart offers situational decisions, telling you when it’s best to hit, stand, double down, or split your cards.
Pay special attention to the dealer’s upcard. Besides what you have in your hand, it’s the most important card to base your decisions on.
The dealer’s upcard in Blackjack guides you on whether to hit, stand, double down, or split their hands. It allows you to assess probabilities because the value of the upcard shows the dealer’s chances of busting or forming a strong hand (again, remember these are the probable odds – it’s not for sure that the chart or the upcard works all the time, of course). That’s the random beauty of casino card games and why we love them.
A weak upcard (2-6) often suggests a higher likelihood of the dealer busting, while a strong upcard (7-Ace) indicates a stronger dealer position.
You can adjust your approach and Blackjack strategy based on this information, and might want to bet more aggressively when the dealer’s upcard is weak.
When the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, you should consider taking insurance against a potential dealer blackjack.
WHEN TO HIT AND WHEN TO STAND
The decision to Hit or Stand when you play online Blackjack is the main choice you’ll ultimately make.
Practice hands, and the basic strategy chart will help you develop good Blackjack strategies and habits. Here are some examples of hit-or-stand scenarios:
Hard 16 vs Dealer’s 10 (this is the Dealers’ upcard)
Your hand: 9 and 7
With a hard 16, you’re at risk of busting if you hit a 6 or higher. But the dealer’s strong upcard of 10 puts you at a disadvantage if you stand. Even though you risk busting, standing gives you a very low chance of winning against the dealer’s likely strong hand.
Soft 18 vs Dealer’s 6
Your hand: Ace and 7
With a soft 18, you have a strong hand that can’t bust with one hit – you can play your Ace as a 1, even if you hit a 10/face card as your next card. The dealer’s 6 is a weak upcard. They might bust if they hit a 10 next because they’ll have to hit again on 16. The best play is to double down (most online Blackjack games allow doubling down).
Pair of 8s vs Dealer’s 7
Your hand: 8 and 8
Anytime you are dealt a pair of 8’s, your play is almost always to split, no matter what the dealer’s upcard is. A pair of 8’s equals 16, which is one of the weaker hands in Blackjack.
By splitting, you create two new hands, each starting with 8, giving you a better chance to make two stronger hands. Even though the dealer’s 7 is a relatively strong upcard, splitting 8’s is still the better choice, and you can use the basic strategy chart to play your new hands.
WHEN TO DOUBLE DOWN
It’s an old and wise move to bet more heavily when the odds are in your favor. Doubling down in Blackjack is one way to do it.
You get one more card from the dealer when you decide to double down, so it’s important to know when the best time is to do it. You’ll be doubling the size of your initial bet, so having the right double-down strategy is the way to go. Here are some scenarios that describe how and when to double down successfully.
Hard 9 vs. Dealer’s Low Upcard (3-6): If your hand totals 9 and the dealer’s upcard is between 3 and 6, this is an ideal time to double down. The dealer is in a weak position, and you have a good chance of improving your hand without busting.
Soft 16-18 vs. Dealer’s Weak Upcard (4-6): When holding a soft hand like Ace and 5 for 16 or Ace and 7 for 18, and the dealer shows a low card—usually 6 or lower—doubling down is a good idea. A soft hand gives you flexibility since the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, allowing room for improvement with one additional card, without busting on the next card if it’s too high.
Hard 11 vs. Any Dealer Card: A total of 11 is one of the strongest positions for doubling down. You have a good chance to draw a 10/face card regardless of the dealer’s upcard.
SIMILAR GAMES
There’s more than just classic online Blackjack at Bovada. We have a full lineup of fun and unique Blackjack games to choose from. Here’s a quick sample:
21 Burn Blackjack
You can play up to 3 hands simultaneously with 21 Burn Blackjack, but that’s not the hottest feature. The online game comes with a burn feature, letting you swap out your second card for a new one. There are plenty of other side bets in this six-deck Blackjack game too.
Dragon Blackjack: Guaranteed Multiplier
Speaking of hot games, a mythical dragon dealer heats the action in Dragon Blackjack – Guaranteed Multiplier, as some hands can suddenly get blasted with a 2x Multiplier up to a 50x Multiplier.
PLAY BLACKJACK TODAY
Now you’ve got some great Blackjack strategies to use, 16 different types of online Blackjack games to choose from, and an online Blackjack casino that’s open 24/7, 365 days a year. Everything is on the table, so we’ll see you there.
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