Basics of Online and Mobile Blackjack

While there are plenty of exhilarating card and table games available online, Blackjack is one of the very few where playing the right strategy can actually reduce the house edge and keep you in profit. Online and mobile Blackjack is extremely popular at all top-rated online casino NZ sites, and there are multiple versions with both high and low table limits. To give you the edge, we’ve explained a little more about game also known as 21.

Setup

While it might look a little different, mobile and online Blackjack is played in exactly the same way as the land-based version. The biggest difference is how the results are achieved. Instead of having a real dealer and real cards, Random Number Generators are used to shuffle the cards and determine which card is dealt next. In all other ways, it follows all the same rules with the same set of betting options and side bets.

Aim

If you are new to mobile Blackjack, it is a card game where the aim is to beat the dealer by creating a point score of 21 or as close to 21, without going over. As with the land-based version, a round begins with the placing of the bet. With the online version, you can bet simply by clicking or tapping on the virtual chips and placing them on the highlighted area. Experienced players can choose higher table limits with bigger payouts.

Starting the Deal

Once your bet has been placed, you’ll be dealt 2 facing up cards, and the dealer will receive 2 cards, with 1 facing up, the other facing down. This is where strategy comes in. A player should analyse their hand and compare it to the dealer’s showing card. If you have low-scoring hand of 15 or less, it is best to take an extra card. If you have hand with a high point score of 18 or more, then it is best to stick and see if the dealer can beat your hand.

Some mobile Blackjack NZ games also offer side bets where you can place a separate wager as the start of the round that runs independently of the main games. The most popular side bet is the Perfect Pairs, where you’re paid out if your first deal contains 2 of the same cards.

Hitting, Standing, Splitting or Doubling Down

Once the first hand has been dealt, you have the option of Hitting, Standing, Splitting or Doubling Down. If you are dealt 2 of the same value cards, you can choose to split your hand into 2 hands that play at the same time. Doubling Down means taking 1 extra card and automatically doubling the bet.

Strategies

With online Blackjack, each card is worth a certain number of points. 2-10 are worth their face value, while The Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 points. The Ace is worth 1 point or 11 points depending on what you need at the time. The idea is to create a score as close to 21 without overshooting (going bust). If the dealer is showing an Ace, you may also have the option of taking insurance just in case the dealer is hiding a 10-value card.

Payouts

Once you are happy with point score, provided you didn’t go Bust, you can Stand. The dealer will then flip over his down-facing card and try and beat your point score. With most online casino NZ versions, the dealer must keep playing up to 16 and hold on 17. If your hand wins, you win even money on the total amount bet. If you win with Black Jack (Ace and 10 card) the payout is 3:2 on your wager.

Choose classic mobile Blackjack, or opt for the more contemporary variants, play single or multi hand versions, or against a live dealer. Whatever you prefer, it’s all waiting for you at top online casino NZ sites!