Top Tips for Playing the Best Online Live Dealer Blackjack Like a Pro

Always Split Eights

Splitting an eight might not seem very advantageous at first. After all, landing a 10 on top of that 8 will only give you an 18, and while you can improve on that, it would be risky to try.

The reason you split 8s is because 16 is considered to be the worst hand in blackjack. It’s rarely high enough to score a win but sufficient to cause a bust if you hit. The goal, therefore, is to break that 16 into two hands of 8. You could end up with two 18s, which is much better than one 16.

Some games have strict rules governing when and how you can split—check out our guide to blackjack split rules to learn more.

Don’t Make Insurance Bets

After learning blackjack card values and scratching the surface of basic blackjack strategy, players next learn to avoid insurance.

It protects you against the dealer drawing a blackjack when they’re showing an ace, and it returns a 2:1 payout, so it seems like a good idea. But it will lose more times than it wins. Taking insurance every time will increase the house’s edge and potentially reduce your return over the long haul.

Not only should you skip insurance, but you should also think twice about side bets. They are okay for the occasional wager, but adding them to every bet will hurt your profit chances.

Stand on 12 to 16 When the Dealer Has 2 to 6

A 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 is a very difficult hand in blackjack, as you have a high chance of busting and are unlikely to beat the dealer. The exception is when they have a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. There is a good chance they will bust with this hand, in which case your 12 to 16 will be enough to secure the win.

Stand on 12 to 16 When the Dealer Has 7 to Ace

Conversely to the above, when the dealer has a 7, 8, 9, 10, or ace, your low hand is unlikely to get the win, and they have a higher chance of beating you than busting. So, even if you have a 16, you should still hit. It will feel like you’re about to bust, and you might, but if you don’t take that chance, there’s a much higher probability that they’ll land on a bigger score and beat you.

Double Down on Most 11s

The double-down option should be used sparingly. It gives you another card for an additional stake, forcing you to stand on whatever score you have. Doing this with an 11 means that more than half of the cards in the deck will improve your hand to at least an 18. That might not be ideal if the dealer holds an ace, but it puts you in a strong position for everything else.

So, if the dealer has an ace, don’t double down; if they don’t, take your chances.

Hit/Double on Ace-6

You should hit if you’re holding an ace and anything between a 2 and a 6, especially if the dealer holds a high card. You may have a good score, and it could potentially win the hand, but the best you will have is a soft 17, and the worst that can happen when you hit a hand like this is that you will switch to a hard 17.

Some strategies recommend doubling in this situation. You don’t want to land on a hard 17 when you have twice the initial stake in the pot. But that’s just one potential outcome. You could get a low card and improve to a 19 or higher. It’s all about playing the numbers and considering probability at every turn. In this case, you’re more likely to score 17 or greater, which could put you in a strong position to beat the dealer.

Stay Positive

The goal is not to win every hand. You’re simply trying to beat the casino throughout a session, so you must take your losses on the chin. They will come, and you may even be hitting a losing streak. Just stay positive and stick to the strategies and tips outlined above.

There is still an element of luck and a house edge, so things might not turn around. But they have even less chance of doing so if you start betting erratically or doing things contrary to basic blackjack strategy.

Summary: Play Live Blackjack Online at BetUS

It’s time to play the best online live dealer blackjack games! We have a wide selection of these games at BetUS, including games with side bets, jackpots, and various stake levels. So, prepare your budget, remember the above blackjack tips, and see if you can beat the dealer!