Since online gaming environments mimic those in real life, it makes sense to bring over many of the strategies that have already been proven successful. One such game where the rules and strategies hardly change is online blackjack. And while playing online alters some blackjack strategy that we are accustomed to playing, there are still many that can be carried over to ensure a higher chance of success.

One such strategy made obsolete in online blackjack is counting cards. Since in real life the dealer only refreshed the deck every so often, a player employing the counting cards strategy would simply count off the cards that have already been played and use this to his advantage. But with online blackjack, the deck is virtually shuffled each time to always ensure a fair hand.

Online casinos such as William Hill and Bet365 are just some of the most reputable so try to pick one using the same criteria. This will minimize the risk of being cheated and plays into your strategy since you are playing through a legitimate company. All the better if it has been verified by the Off Shore Gaming Association (OSGA) or any other watchdog association. Avoid falling for high signing in bonuses if the loyalty bonuses aren’t as competitive in the long run.

When choosing a particular version of online blackjack, look for one that has the most favourable rules for you as a player. Several rules allow for a player to have more flexibility when playing the game such as multiple splits, doubling after splitting, doubling on any two cards, and surrender. Also look for specific rules that help determine the virtual dealer’s predictability such as standing when the hand is valued at 17 or more. Rules like this can help a player trim the house advantage from 6% down to just 1.5%.

Ultimately, whether you are playing the online version or sitting at a live casino table, the strategies are the same save for card counting. The dealer’s “up card” is the one that will always give you an idea of what it’s actual hand is and should influence your decision whether to hit, stand, double your bet or split it. From there you can determine any step that you should take.

Also learn how to discipline yourself and set a specific limit for how much you can comfortably lose. Blackjack can be very addictive because of its simplicity. Those who are more disciplined are much more likely to save themselves until they are able to hit a hot streak.