Playing Blackjack at an online casino is simple. You can play at your own pace. You don't have other players pressuring you or critizing your play. When starting the online Blackjack game for the first time you will see a Blackjack table on your screen. Usually, the default minimum bet will already be placed on the table. If not you just hit your bet amount and hit deal.

You can increase or decrease the amount you wish to wager with the Increase and Decrease buttons. The size of the column of casino chips will change as you do this.

Once you have decided on the size of your bet you can start the game. Click on the Deal button.

The Dealer will deal you two cards and deal himself one card.

As soon as the last card is dealt you will be able to decide whether to hit (take another card) or stand (stay).

If your first two cards dealt to you are an Ace and a card of value ten then you have Blackjack and unless the dealer has an Ace or Ten you automatically win the game and are paid out 2.5 times your original bet.

If you draw another card (hit) and the value of your hand now exceeds 21 then you have gone 'bust' and have lost this hand. You may play again by clicking on the Deal button.

If you are satisfied with your hand click the Stand button to end the game. The dealer will now draw cards until his hand exceeds or equals 17 in value. If the dealer's hand exceeds 21 you win because the dealer has gone 'bust.' If the dealer's hand exceeds 17 in value but is less than 21 the value of the two hands are compared and the stronger hand wins.

If your hand is stronger than the dealer's you receive double your wager back. If not, you lose your wager and can play again.

Blackjack is ancient in origin, simple to play and can provide hours of enterainment. Blackjack also known as "21" is one of the most popular and recognized casino game. The game is played between you and the dealer. When playing Blackjack your cards are dealt from a shoe. (A device that can hold up to eight decks of cards which allows the dealer to slide out the cards one at a time is called a shoe). Generally a shoe may contain anything from one standard 52-card deck to 6 such decks. Online Blackjack casinos typically play with a single 52-card deck unless otherwise noted, this offers you the best possible chances of winning.

The game starts after you have placed your bet. Then you will be dealt two cards. The Dealer will be receive one card. (In Blackjack the casino always deals). In some casinos the Dealer is dealt two cards but only one is turned so that it's value can be revealed. The card that remains face down is called the 'hole card.'

The object of Blackjack is to obtain a hand with the highest possible value without exceeding 21. All face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) have a value of ten and the Aces can have a value of one (1) or eleven (11).

If your initial two cards do not total 21 then you may request additional cards (called a hit). If your hand does not go bust (exceeds 21) and still does not equal 21 you may continue to request additional cards until your hand goes bust, reaches 21 or you decide to 'Stand' (Stay.) If you are dealt a Blackjack (an ace and a card of value ten) then the dealer will automatically lose unless his single card is an ace or a card of value ten. If you are dealt a Blackjack then he will not be allowed to draw further cards as he already has the best possible hand.

If you go bust the game is over and the dealer wins. If you reach 21 or choose to Stand the dealer will draw another card. If the dealer's hand is less then 17 in value the dealer must continue to draw cards until his hand's value equals 17 or more. In the event of the dealer not going bust the value of the dealer and your hands are then compared. If your hand is stronger the Casino will pay you twice the amount originally wagered. If you win on a Blackjack you will be paid out 2.5 times your original bet.

Blackjack Tip: It is best to always stand on a 17 or higher. If you have a 13 to 16 and the dealer's show card is a six or lower it's a good bet to stand. If the dealer is showing a seven or higher then hitting would be wise. If you are dealt a 12 or lower then you should hit.

Blackjack Tip: Always split aces and eights. Never split face cards, tens, fives or fours. You can split other pairs. But it is not advisable to split if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher.