Blackjack, one of the oldest casino games, has been enjoyed globally for centuries. Originating in France in the 1700s under the name “Twenty-One,” it quickly spread worldwide as empires expanded. Even historical warriors like Napoleon enjoyed the game during their leisure time.
Today, Bovada fans – with no need for global conquests – can experience the thrill of Blackjack from anywhere. The authentic casino experience at Bovada is available through live Blackjack games, which feature real dealers and run 24/7.
Unlike traditional casinos, online Blackjack offers a variety of game styles that you might not find elsewhere, while still following the same core rules as live Blackjack.
To go deeper into the rules and gameplay of Blackjack, keep reading. Whether you’re interested in the classic version or one of the innovative online variations, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to play Blackjack online.
The Basic Strategy Chart
Like we outlined in Part 1 of our Blackjack betting strategies, there is a chart that can help you make your choices between standing, hitting, splitting, and doubling down for every card situation.
A decision-making formula is helpful with every Blackjack hand. While players aren’t obligated to follow it strictly – sometimes going with gut feelings or vibes – it serves as a guide to the best probabilities for the player. The chart provides situational advice, with recommendations on the optimal action for various scenarios.
It’s important to note that these are probable odds, not guarantees. No chart can help you if you’re playing against a lucky dealer.
Pay close attention to the dealer’s upcard when making your decisions. The chart offers guidance on when it’s best to hit, stand, double down, or split your cards based on both your hand and the dealer’s visible card. This strategic approach can help improve your odds, even if it doesn’t guarantee success every time.
PROGRESSIVE BETTING SYSTEMS
A progressive betting strategy or system is a dynamic approach to wagering that involves adjusting bet sizes based on the outcomes of previous bets. It takes discipline though, and players need to stick to their systems for a number of hands for the best results. Keep in mind, these are just systems to play by – they also don’t guarantee success.
There are two main types of progressive betting systems:
- Positive progression: In this system, you increase your stake after a win and decrease it after a loss. The goal is to capitalize on winning streaks and maximize profits.
- Negative progression: This means increasing the bet size after a loss and decreasing it after a win. The aim is to recover losses and potentially turn a profit with a well-timed win.
There are more specific progressive betting systems, both negative and positive, and you can do plenty of deeper dives for both.
Flat Betting Vs Variable Betting
In online Blackjack at Bovada, betting strategies can also be categorized into flat betting and variable betting.
Flat betting involves wagering the same amount on every hand. This offers you consistency and takes some of the thinking out of the equation (some players want to focus on the betting chart, and others just want to play without planning every bet amount each time a new hand is being dealt). It’s ideal for managing spending and can be combined with the betting chart for players who are starting, or who just want to simplify things.
Variable betting is like progressive betting, which means you’re adjusting your bet sizes based on previous outcomes or, you know, vibes. This approach can be more dynamic, potentially increasing profits during winning streaks, but it also carries higher risks, especially during losing streaks. Neither strategy changes the basic Blackjack odds that have been around for 400+ years, so careful bankroll management and discipline are essential.
Bet Sizing Based On The Count
Now we’re getting even deeper into advanced Blackjack strategy, and the players that are most able to focus can capitalize on the Hi-Lo and Bet Sizing strategies.
The Hi-Lo system assigns values to cards. Low cards (2-6) are assigned a value of +1, middle cards (7-9) are assigned 0, and high cards (10-Ace) are assigned -1.
Players using Hi-Lo need to keep close count of the cards that are dealt, and this strategy is easier with single deck Blackjack or double deck Blackjack. With multiple decks the chance for counting wrong increases.
When you play Hi-Lo, a higher number (say your count is up to +3) means you increase your bet size before your next card is dealt, because there’s a better chance of high value cards still in the deck. Conversely, if you are currently at -3, keep your bet size reasonable because there’s a good chance most of the high value cards are taken.
Practice bet sizing on Blackjack practice rounds or low money rounds to get good at it first, and be sure to account for the number of hands in the shoe.
Similar Games
At Bovada, there are 16 online Blackjack games available. That gives you a huge choice, whether you’re a serious Blackjack player or a casual weekend warrior.
Classic Blackjack
Perfect for serious players and Blackjack newbies alike, Classic Blackjack at Bovada gives everyone a clear, simple playing table that puts you right into a Vegas casino. Stand, Hit, Double Down, Split – and even Surrender – your way to hours of Blackjack fun.
Super 7 Blackjack
Super 7 Blackjack lets you play side bets as well as 3 hands of regular Blackjack at the same time. If you are dealt a 7 on your side bet, a 3x payout is coming your way.
Conclusion
Going with the advanced Blackjack strategies here could give you an edge in Blackjack online or even when you hit the real-life casinos.
The game of Blackjack is a centuries-old classic for a reason – check out all the action at Bovada to find out why.
Blackjack Part 1 – Basic Blackjack Strategy
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.
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.
Play online Blackjack at Bovada Casino
