Online Blackjack for Australian Players
Blackjack is one of the most widely played online casino games in the world. The drawcard to playing online blackjack in Australia is that the game has a relative ease gameplay wise and is full of pure excitement; because when playing blackjack online, the player is competing against the dealer, and there are some really good winnings to be made. The rules are easy to learn, and it is one of the few casino games to play that involves both chance and strategy, and when playing blackjack online, if a player uses the right blackjack strategy, they can reduce the house edge from 5% down to almost 0%. This is a huge advantage for blackjack players, but it does require using the best blackjack strategies – which will require practice and commitment. Read on and we will share our expert blackjack strategy and tips in this online blackjack game guide.
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Useful tips to help you find a real money blackjack online casino
Playing blackjack online will always be a popular choice with online casino players in Australia. The strategy and ability to really control the game makes it a highly attractive game to players. One of the hardest things for players looking to play blackjack online for real money is finding a reputable online casino. In Australia we are lucky because there are many reputable Australian online casinos where you can play blackjack for free and for real money.
Our experts that compile our reviews and recommendations for our online casinos list go through a structured fair dinkum authority process to determine the merit of every online casino that we review and recommend. On our recommended casinos page you can get a rundown on every online casino that has been checked over by our experts – including a thorough look into the casino games available and the true value of their bonuses and promotions. On top of this, continue reading on and we will also share our experts’ 4 very useful tips that will help players suss out and find an online casino to play blackjack.
Find an online casino that you can play blackjack and your other favourites
Before you go register with an online casino and claim a bonus make sure that you check out the casino’s offering of online blackjack games. Although there really is not too much of a selection there are in fact variants other than classic blackjack.
Without proper research beforehand, you might deposit some cash to claim a bonus and find out that the online casino only offers blackjack variants on a 6:5 payout, or with other unfavourable terms and conditions. You will have effectively deluded yourself into playing with worse playing conditions; you’ll be stuck or must forfeit your cash to get away.
Make sure that your casino checklist requirements include your other favourite casino games like the pokies or roulette, as you may find that the casino you are checking out has better games and bonuses compared to the online casino you were previously playing roulette or the pokies through.
Look for the best online roulette bonuses or promotions
Whether you have a huge bankroll to play with, or you are restricted to what your ‘boss’ lets you play with each paycheck – we always urge players to take advantage of the best online casino bonuses and promotions. These bonuses can be invaluable for allowing players to play longer, which can potentially line you up for scoring a huge win. Be sure to check out our online casino bonuses page to find some of the best value promotions that our experts have checked through.
Only consider fair and reputable online casinos
As we have explained in our expert reviews and recommendations, be weary of the dodgy dingoes in the online casino industry. Always consider the amount of player security and the fairness of the casino when it comes to cashing out and bonuses.
There are plenty of Australian online casinos that offer great choices for players, but there are still plenty of risky sites that try to prey on unsuspecting players. So, before you even think about depositing your cash, always read the casino’s licensing, safety measures, the payout percentages, and the wagering requirements of bonuses. These tasks are in no way quick and simple, so if you do not have the time or patience to research online casinos to this extent, you can always rely on our experts to do this for you. We only recommend reputable and fair online casinos through our recommended casinos page.
Find online casinos that offer cross-compatible gaming
With the ever-changing landscape in online casino gaming, especially in Australia, it is increasingly popular that players want to play cross-compatible casino games. The benefit of cross-compatible casino gaming is that if you are tired of sitting on the pc, or you are out and about, maybe you are riding the bus to work, you can simply login to the casino on your phone and play the same casino games with your bankroll or bonuses.
Mobile gaming is becoming a huge market worldwide; particularly throughout Australia’s close neighbours in Asia. Online casinos are beginning to adapt many of their games for download via an app, or offer easy access through mobile browsers.
Blackjack rules
When it comes to the rules of blackjack, the game is generally played with 4, 6, or 8 standard 52-card decks. Each card carries a point value: the cards 2 to 10 are worth face value, kings, queens, and jacks are valued at 10 points, and aces are valued as either 1 or 11. The player receives cards from the dealer with the aim of adding up to 21, without going over (busting), or at the least, the objective is to beat the dealer’s hand.
The aim of blackjack is to draw a hand with a point value of 21, ideally from only 2 cards (called a blackjack), which is the best-case scenario. A blackjack has a payout of 3:2, unless the dealer also has a 2-card 21. In a scenario where both the dealer and player have a blackjack then the hand ‘pushes’ and the player is returned their bet. Alternatively, if the dealer draws 21 with more than 2 cards, then the player’s blackjack still wins but gets the full 3:2 payout.
How does online blackjack work?
Blackjack is not like poker; blackjack players are only going up against the dealer and not against other players, which makes playing blackjack online a simple game. Each round begins once the player has placed their bet; the dealer then deals 2 cards face down, which the player can then check. With the dealer’s 2 cards, 1 is always kept face down while the other is face up for the player to see. The player can then decide how to play their hand. Depending on the players action, the dealer must draw more cards to any total of 16 or less. The dealer must always stand on any total of 17 or more, however in some online casinos, the dealer can draw to a ‘soft’ 17, meaning a total of 17 that may also include an ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11.
Once all the cards are dealt and the hands are considered, the payouts can be awarded or lost prior to the next round, beginning with new stakes.
What are the blackjack player actions?
The following actions are the moves that players can make once the cards have been dealt. We will explain the actions for both online blackjack games and brick and mortar casinos (where cards are dealt face down, but players can hold their hand with one hand only), as the physical actions are a little different. Physical games of blackjack use an automatic shuffler – because players do not touch their cards, and the cards are dealt face up.
Hit
In online games players simply select the hit option to receive another card from the dealer; in hand-held games of blackjack, players scrape their cards against the table. In the face-up games variant, players either wave a hand towards their person or tap the table with one finger.
Stand
Players select the stand option to hold off and not take another card from the dealer, this can also be known as a ‘stick’ or ‘stay’ depending on the casino. In hand-held games, players place their cards under their chips, whereas in face-up games, players wave their hand horizontally across their cards.
Double down
Players wanting to double down can select this option to increase their initial bet by 100%. In both standard physical versions of blackjack, players simply add chips next to the original bet and point with 1 finger.
Split
If a player receives a pair in the first 2 cards, they are given the opportunity to split the pair into 2 separate hands. Online blackjack players select the split option and place a second equal bet onto the hand. In physical versions, the player places the extra equal bet outside the betting box and points with two fingers spread in a ‘V’ shape. The dealer splits the cards and deals an additional to each new hand, which is now being played separately.
Surrender
A player may forfeit half of their bet to keep the other half. Note that the surrender option is only available in certain variations of blackjack.
These are the basic rules and actions of playing blackjack online and in brick and mortar casinos. Keep reading on for our expert blackjack strategy guide.
Blackjack strategy
Before we share with you our online blackjack strategy, we need to be honest and keep expectations in check. Counting cards like a professional is very difficult; it’s a skill that requires a lot of practice to master. That said, the following is a complete expert’s online blackjack guide. This guide provides players with a definitive understanding of the rules of blackjack, the ins and outs of blackjack terminology, and some sweet bonus tips for winning real money playing online blackjack. Also, as a thanks for reading, we have compiled some of our reputable and recommended Australia promotions for playing online blackjack with real money and bonuses.
How to increase your chances at winning online blackjack every game
Play with a basic strategy
When you aren’t hitting the blackjack tables, spend some time grinding, learning and memorising the correct plays to make in a typical game of online blackjack. The goal here is to find a way that works for you to make it feel like second nature when deciding whether to hit, stand, split or double down your hand. We find the best way to do this is to grind it out and play constant online blackjack free games.
The easy plays for a good basic blackjack strategy are:
- Don’t split 10s
When your hand consists of two 10 value cards, you are given an opportunity to split the 10s to double your money. Never split a pair of 10s.
The reason for this is that statistically there is a lower probability of winning on a split pair of 10-value cards rather than of holding onto the 10s to make 20. Remember, the only hand that can beat 20 is 21, which means there is a much higher chance of the dealer losing if you keep the 10s together.
- Avoid online blackjack games offering a 6:5 payout
Avoid these games completely as this is just a sneaky tactic used by casinos to shift the house edge in their favour. Our founder always, always says “When in doubt, remember 2:3 pays out”.
- Split aces and 8s
Always split aces and 8s as statistically you have a good chance of winning with a hand consisting of either card. So, if you split then your probability of winning is increased on the 2 hands.
- Practice and memorise
Memorise our basic strategy plays plays to slash the house edge from almost 5% right down to 0.5%. If you are still struggling to remember, simply write these quick tips down on your computer:
- Stand when your hand is between 12 and 16 and the dealer has between two to six
- Hit when your hand is between 12 and 16 and the dealer has a seven-ace
- Always split your aces and eights
- Always double 11 versus the dealer’s two to ten
- Either hit or double aces-six
Never purchase the insurance
Never make the silly choice of purchasing the insurance. When the dealer is dealt an ace face up, players have the option to buy insurance against the dealer’s hand. Meaning the player makes another side bet with new money based solely on whether the dealer has a blackjack (so a 2-card 21).
The insurance does not use your first bet, so that bet would already likely be lost to the house. The insurance bet is extra and has a payout of 2:1. The idea behind the insurance is that there is a ‘high’ chance that the dealer does have a blackjack because they have the ace, so you can bet against this occurring to cover your loss on the original bet.
This might seem like a smart play, but it is a foolish choice to make because the dealer is only likely to have a blackjack less than a third of the time. So, keeping with our first strategy point, play it basic and don’t bother purchasing the insurance. You will find that you save money in the long run.
Don’t forget to check the dealer’s face-up card
Seems funny, but you’d be surprised how many times we have seen players make decisions on what action they will take without considering the dealer’s face up card. Get into the habit of checking the dealer hand once more prior to taking any actions.
What you are looking for is whether the face-up card is bad – being a 2 to 6, or whether the face-up card is good – a 7 to an ace (value of 1 or 11). This simple check-step is really the hinge point for the entire game and makes every difference on what action you should take as the player.
Never sit in the first chair
This quick tip is only really useful for brick and mortar games of blackjack, and to an extent some of the ‘live blackjack games’ online. We are sharing this though because it is a very underated tactic which players really need to be aware of: avoid the first base chair.
Sounds simple but this is an oversight for beginners. We avoid the first base chair in games of blackjack because sitting further down will give you more of a chance to review your hand and the dealer’s face-up card. Sometimes dealers may be rushing or speeding up the game; this will give you even less time if you find yourself sitting in the first chair.
The third best hand
As the aim of blackjack is to get a hand value of 21, then 21 is the best value that you can get. Right? Yes. So, we could assume that the second best hand is 20, because you could only be beaten by the dealer landing a blackjack. However, the third best hand in blackjack is not 19.
Statistically speaking, 11 is the third best hand to receive because your hand is only 10 points away from 21 and as 10s, Kings, Queens, and Jacks all have a value of 10, this means that there are 4 times as many 10 values than any other value in a standard deck.
Simply put, you are 4 times more likely to get a 10 than you are to get any other number. Which is why many online blackjack charts and strategy cards suggest that players double down in just about every scenario when you have a hand with the value of 11.
Start small
You know the cliché, ‘good things come to those who wait?’ Well, that cliché can be applied to most things in life, even winning blackjack games in person or playing blackjack online.
Start small, always avoid going in guns blazing if either you or a new dealer has just arrived at a table. Starting off your betting with smaller bets is a good way to assess the situation and decide whether the dealer is currently “hot” or “cold”.
Remember, casinos never sleep but unfortunately you do. Hot and cold streaks are an issue which has a large effect on players in terms of unsettling mindsets—and by burning a hole in your pocket.
Start small and play conservatively. Take time to watch a dealer’s interactions and pay attention to the heart of the cards.
Focus and count the fives
Professional blackjack card counters are always on the hunt looking for decks loaded with higher value cards. Because decks that are stacked with higher value cards increase a player’s chances of seeing winning hands, thus coming out on top while playing blackjack.
Statistically, the worst low-level card is the five. For every five that is removed from a deck, the player receives an added 0.67% added to their return!
Therefore, this becomes significant while card counting in the long game; by multiplying that by the number of 5s in a 4, 6, or 8 deck shoes — that’s quite a difference! If you are at a table and start seeing your fair share of 5, take a break and step away until the number of 5 reduces. Being patient will improve your chances for a hot streak of your own.
Don’t get burned by overreaching on your gambling
Always gamble responsibly. Never play with money that you are not happy to lose. If it puts you or your family’s situation in jeopardy, then it doesn’t deserve to be gambled away.
Consider getting into a routine: allow yourself a small amount to gamble with and put it aside each payday, or set yourself a cap for an amount that you are ok with losing, without limiting your significant payout potential. Don’t get attached, if you are on a losing streak, move on.
Blackjack variations
There are many variations of blackjack that players can enjoy throughout online casinos in Australia today. We have compiled a list of the most popular variants of blackjack that you will play online:
Classic blackjack
This is the fair dinkum original game of blackjack that all other variants can be traced back to. Classic blackjack offers players some of the best winning odds a player can find at an online casino. As an easy to learn game and strategies that are simple once practiced – classic blackjack will always be high on every player’s favourites list for casino gaming.
Blackjack switch
Blackjack switch is one of the more interesting variants of blackjack played at online casinos. In this variant, there are a range of side bets that players can make to further increase the excitement factor, like giving players the ability to switch cards to improve their hand!
Free bet blackjack online
Free bet blackjack has one particular twist to the classic game, and that is that any bet while splitting or doubling is not risked by the player. Further, players have more opportunities to split and double down more than the classic variant of the game.
Blackjack double exposure
When double exposure blackjack was first seen at casino floors in Vegas World casino in October 1979, the game was initially called “Zweikartenspiel.” This was later changed to Double Exposure, which was better suited to the playing style; which means that in this variant of blackjack, both of the cards within a dealer’s hand are exposed!
Blackjack 5 hand
Think of blackjack 5 hand as blackjack on steroids! The game is much the same as classic blackjack, however, players can roll with up to 5 hands at once! This can be quite a task to manage but gives players much more variety and chances to win.
Multiplayer blackjack
Multiplayer blackjack is classic blackjack with a twist. That twist is that players can take on other players, with usually being a maximum of 5 players. Multiplayer blackjack is a very popular game at Australian online casinos.
Blackjack surrender
In Blackjack surrender players have the ability to surrender their hand if they think they have drawn a terrible hand. The rules and strategies are quite different for this variant, so we suggest doing some research and playing free games of blackjack surrender first.
Caribbean 21 blackjack
For casino gamers looking for a challenge, we suggest playing Caribbean 21 blackjack. This variant of blackjack is more challenging because all aces are only attributed as the ‘hard’ variant, which makes aces only count as a 1-value and not either 1 or 11 like the classic game. The typical blackjack hand is also replaced by the three-card hand which is called Caribbean 21 and consists of two 10-value cards and an ace.
Face up 21 blackjack
Face up 21 blackjack is as the name suggests. This variant involves the two cards belonging to the dealer and the players two cards all being dealt face up so that everyone can see.
Match play 21 blackjack
In this variant of blackjack there are no 10s, but there are quite a few bonus hands added to the game, which make it much more attractive to players.
Pontoon
Pontoon is very popular across the United Kingdom and has most of the same rules as classic blackjack. If a player receives a blackjack (i.e. an ace and a 10-value card) it is called a “pontoon”. The main difference in this variant of blackjack is that the dealer receives two hole cards instead and one and has no face-up card. This variation to the classic game gives players an advantage because they have no way of knowing whether the dealer has a blackjack until they have played their first hand.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is an interesting adaption from blackjack as it has many modifications to the rules. This variant is the perfect game for players who are tired of twenty-one and standard blackjack and are looking for a greater adrenaline rush. Spanish 21 is also referred to as Pontoon in some parts of the world (like Australia and Malaysia), and is also the most profitable form of blackjack. In Spanish 21, players can double down on any two-card combination, and the game is played with 6 to 8 Spanish decks in the shoe; however, each deck consists of just 48 cards—the 10s from all 4 suits are removed!
European blackjack
This variant of blackjack is very popular and very closely aligned with classic blackjack. In European blackjack, the game is only played with a shoe consisting of 2 decks with no hole cards, as the dealer receives just the one face-up card initially. Because of the low deck count, players have a slightly lower house edge to come up against when playing European blackjack.
Put our online blackjack strategies to the test and play blackjack online for real money today!
Now that you have all the information needed to implement one of our lucrative blackjack strategies, be sure check out our online casino reviews page for in-depth recommendations on the most reputable online casinos in Australia to play free blackjack games and play blackjack online for real money. Also, take advantage of our blackjack casino deposit bonuses across our site and play some of the best variants of blackjack online today. Take full advantage of our bonuses to give yourself the best chance at hitting a hot streak and cashing out big.
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