Do you want to play online blackjack ? It’s hardly surprising that more and more people are becoming interested in this exciting game. It combines luck, skill and the chance to win big. If you’ve never played online blackjack before, here are the basics.

Online Blackjack Rules

The objective of online blackjack is to get cards totaling as close to 21 as possible without going over, or busting. If you bust, you lose the hand and your bet. If not, you win by getting closer to 21 than the dealer. If you do get closer to 21 than the dealer does or if he busts, you receive even money on your bet.

Each card is worth its face value, with all picture cards being worth 10 and aces being worth either one or 11. Players are dealt two cards face up and the dealer receives two cards, one up and one down.

Based on the player’s total and the dealer’s up card, the player may decide to hit, taking an additional card, stand, sticking with his current total, or double, doubling his wager and getting one additional card. If the two cards have the same value, the player may split them by putting up an additional, equal wager.

In this case, each card becomes the base for a new two card hand. Except when he has doubled, a player may continue to hit until he is satisfied or busts.If the player is dealt an ace and a ten point card, the blackjack rules states that he has blackjack and immediately wins 3-2. However, if the dealer also has blackjack, the hand is a push.

Special Rules

If the dealer has an ace showing, he will offer insurance. This costs an amount equal to half of your original wager. If the dealer turns out to have blackjack, you break even on the hand. If he does not, you lose the insurance bet and win or lose the hand depending upon its normal outcome. Some online blackjack games will allow you to surrender on the first two cards. Once example occurs when you have a 16 and the dealer shows a 10. You give up half your bet and start a new hand.

Differences in Online Blackjack

The online game is not noticeably different from a live blackjack game. However, you control the pace of the game and can play in the comfort of your own home. If you are comfortable playing live blackjack you should have no trouble playing online and vice versa.