How to win at online blackjack – Top tips for winning

Improve your odds and enhance your experience when playing online blackjack at South African casinos. Check out our expert tips, so you can employ the best strategies to beat the dealer.

Blackjack

Top 10 tips for winning at blackjack

Winning at online blackjack ultimately comes down to chance, as the game relies on RNG software. Still, there are numerous things you can do to improve your win rate, from learning basic strategies to choosing blackjack games with the highest RTP.

By following our tips, you can beat the dealer more often and increase your enjoyment of this classic casino game. 

1. Play at reputable online casinos 

Firstly, before selecting a blackjack game to play, make sure you only gamble at legitimate and secure online casinos. Top casinos are licensed by recognised industry bodies, such as the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), meaning they’ve been verified as providing reliable and stringent player security measures.

If you’re unsure about which blackjack casinos to sign up with, all the casinos recommended on our site are licensed in South Africa and have been reviewed by our expert team. 

2. Choose the right blackjack games 

If you’re playing at the best blackjack casinos, you also want to play the best blackjack games. Look for RNG titles by revered studios such as Playtech or live blackjack games from specialists Evolution and Ezugi

Blackjack games from these software providers are not only fun to play, but often come with special features and in-game bonuses that can offer more ways to win and enhance your odds of landing consistent payouts.

3. Learn basic blackjack strategy

When playing blackjack, probability can determine the chances of what card you and the dealer will be dealt next, and therefore whether you’re likely to get 21 or go bust. You can learn basic blackjack strategies that list the best call to make depending on the value of your hand, including when to hit, stand, double down and split.

Getting accustomed to a blackjack strategy requires a combination of memory and practice, but it will help you make quick and educated decisions every time you hit the table.

4. Practice in free play mode 

The best way to hone a blackjack strategy is to play free online blackjack games before wagering real money. You can play the vast majority of RNG blackjack titles in demo mode, which will help you learn when to hit and stand and experiment with different bet types without losing real cash. 

The beauty of free blackjack is that you can become more experienced with no risk. To get started, we have hundreds of great free blackjack games that you can play right here at OnlineCasino.co.za:

5. Claim casino bonuses & promotions 

If you want to boost your bankroll when playing online blackjack, be sure to take advantage of casino bonuses. Top gambling sites in SA offer a range of rewards that you can use on blackjack games, including sign-up bonuses, no wagering, no deposit and cashback offers.

Claiming blackjack bonuses can allow you to play for more rounds or place larger bets at no extra cost. Just remember to check the T&Cs beforehand, as they will likely come with wagering requirements and max win limits.

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6. Play high RTP blackjack games 

The return to player (RTP) rate of any blackjack game is key. Given as a percentage, this indicates how much a game pays out on average over time. For instance, if the game has an RTP of 97%, you can expect to win R97 for every R100 you wager.

Different blackjack games and variants can vary in RTP, so it’s worth spending the time to find those at the higher end of the scale. The good news is that there are many blackjack games with RTPs above 99%, such as Lightning Blackjack (99.56%) and Infinite Blackjack (99.47%) by Evolution.

7. Find your favourite blackjack variant 

There are many popular variants of blackjack, such as European blackjack, Atlantic City blackjack and single-deck blackjack. While you will need to beat the dealer without going bust in all variants, there will be slight variations in rules, payouts and RTP.

For that reason, it can be beneficial to stick to the same type so you fully understand how the game and its mechanics work. Of course, you can also play modern twists on standard blackjack variants, which are particularly popular at live casinos.

8. Take advantage of different bets 

It’s easy to forget that in blackjack there are several bets you make with the cards you’re initially dealt. For instance, you can split a pair of eights or nines for the chance to get two high-value hands or surrender if you feel you have a much weaker hand than the dealer.

There are different scenarios in which it’s recommended to use the various side bets (and learning blackjack strategies will help you with this). With a well-timed side bet, you can potentially heighten the advantage of a good hand or mitigate your losses on a bad hand.

9. Count cards when you can 

If you’re playing single-deck blackjack, counting cards is a good way to improve your odds. This requires you to remember what cards have already been dealt, so you have a better read on what cards you and the dealer are more likely to receive.

While difficult, it’s not illegal to count cards, and can easily help you make informed betting decisions. Counting cards requires a lot of practice, so we recommend trying it while playing free blackjack before you do so in real money games.

10. Gamble responsibly 

No matter what blackjack game you’re playing, always remember to gamble responsibly. The easiest way to lose money at online blackjack is by exceeding your budget and betting more money than you can afford. 

For that reason, set yourself a budget before you start playing and stick to it. You can also make use of the responsible gambling tools your casino offers such as deposit and wager limits if you feel this will help.

Quick tips on how to win at blackjack

  1. Only play online blackjack at licensed casinos.

  2. Choose blackjack games from leading providers for the best experience.

  3. Take time to learn basic blackjack strategy.

  4. Play free blackjack to develop your skills and experience.

  5. Claim casino bonuses to boost your bankroll.

  6. Always look for blackjack games with a high RTP.

  7. Discover your favourite blackjack variant and stick to it.

  8. Take advantage of side bets when it’s beneficial to do so.

  9. Practice card counting when playing single-deck blackjack.

  10. Always gamble responsibly.

How to win at blackjack FAQs

Ross Young
Ross Young
Verified expert
Global content writer

Ross has been writing about casino betting for many years, and his speciality subjects include news, game guides and casino reviews. He is passionate about helping his readers make informed decisions when it comes to gambling.