How to Count Cards in Blackjack?

You can use the Hi-Lo system to count cards in blackjack. For example, assign values: +1 for 2-6, 0 for 7-9, and -1 for 10-Ace. As the dealer “deals” the cards, you can keep a running count by adding or subtracting these values. Bet more when the true count is high. Bet less when it is low!

When to Split in Blackjack?

You must split Aces and 8s in blackjack because they give you a higher chance of winning. On the other hand, avoid splitting 10s and 5s because they are stronger hands. If the dealer has a weak card, for example, 2 to 6, you can split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s. Avoid splitting 4s unless the dealer has a 5 or 6.

When to Double Down in Blackjack?

You can double down in blackjack when your cards total 11. So, this is where you have a higher chance of hitting 21. You can double down with a soft 16, 17, or 18. Remember, you would do this if the dealer has a low card. Double down with a hard 9 or 10 if the dealer shows a low card. On the other hand, if the dealer has an Ace or your cards total more than 11, you must avoid doubling down.

What is Insurance in Blackjack?

Blackjack insurance is a side bet you can use when the dealer’s up-card is an Ace. The insurance bet pays 2:1. Remember, this happens if the dealer has a natural blackjack (21). You can place a separate bet equal to half of your original wager on the insurance line. However, most players tend to lose money when using insurance in blackjack for a long time.

How Many Decks in Blackjack?

There are no upper limits on the number of decks in blackjack. Most land-based casinos, from Macau to Las Vegas, use 6 to 8 decks of the standard 52 playing cards. The game becomes complex with more decks. Fewer decks are better because they offer players improved odds. For example, the number of decks determines the house edge. One deck has 0.014%, while 8-decks have a 0.577% house edge.

What is Surrender in Blackjack?

Surrender is an optional rule in blackjack. It allows Arab players to give up 50% of their original bet after seeing the dealer’s up-card and their first two cards. If a player’s hand has less than a 50% probability of winning against the dealer, they can surrender. So this allows players to take a 50% loss and withdraw from the round. Two types of surrender in blackjack are: 1). Early surrender 2). Late surrender.

How Much is a King Worth in Blackjack?

A king is worth 10 points in blackjack. The same applies to all face cards, including Queens and Jacks. A king will retain its value, whether diamonds, hearts, spades, or clubs. Remember, the objective is to have a better hand value than the dealer. You must not go over 21.

Best Blackjack Arab Online Casinos in 2024

Best Online Blackjack Casinos for Arab Players

Blackjack is one of the best online casino games because it has simple rules. Arab players can use strategies to increase their winning chances. However, not all online casinos offer blackjack with a lower house edge. So, if you want to play blackjack with better odds of winning, you must choose from the following online Arab casinos.

How To Play Blackjack Online?

How to play blackjack online

Choose your preferred online casino from the list above. Click “Play Now” to go to the casino’s registration page. Follow the steps below to play blackjack online:

Sign up for an account at your selected casino. Provide personal information and necessary documents to verify your identity.
Add funds to your casino account using your preferred payment method.
Go to the blackjack section and choose the game version you want to play.
Place your bet once the game loads. You can select the wagering amount.
Use a solid strategy to increase your winning chances.

Online Arab casinos offer various payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies.

Blackjack Basic Strategy

The blackjack basic strategy is a set of guidelines to help Arab players make better decisions in the game. So, how to play blackjack with a basic strategy? Here is the breakdown:

Hit or Stand	Hit if your hand is 8 or less. Stand if your hand is 17 or more.
Double Down	You double down when the dealer’s card is lower, and you have 10 or 11.
Split Pairs	Always split aces and 8s. Never split 5s and 10s.
Surrender	You can surrender if you have a hard 16 and the dealer shows Ace, 9, or 10.

Mathematical probabilities determine these rules to ensure the house edge is lower.

Best Tips to Win Blackjack Online

Every table game at an online casino requires a specific strategy. Whether online poker, baccarat, or blackjack, learning the basics and advanced concepts is important to increase your winning chances. Here are the best tips to win blackjack online:

Learn Basic Strategy
Avoid Insurance Bets
Manage Your Bankroll
Practice for Free
Know When to Hit or Stand
Avoid Continuous Shuffles
Split Pairs Wisely
Double Down Smartly

Learn Basic Strategy

The blackjack basic strategy is a set of instructions that tell you when to hit, stand, double down, or split. First, identify your hand. It involves looking at the total value of your cards. For instance, if you have a 7 and a 9, your total is 16. Second, find the dealer’s upcard. The dealer will show this card. For example, if the dealer’s upcard is a 6, you will use this to determine your action. Learning the basic strategy is essential to streamlining your blackjack gameplay.

Avoid Insurance Bets

Insurance bets in blackjack online are side bets offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. Here are a few reasons you should avoid insurance bets:

The house edge on insurance bets is around 6%. You may lose more money.
Insurance bets give you false security, and the odds are not in your favor.
It can quickly deplete your bankroll.

Let me give you a practical example so you understand why you should avoid insurance bets. You have a hand totaling 18, and the dealer shows an Ace. The dealer offers insurance. According to the basic strategy, you should decline the insurance bet. The probability of the dealer having blackjack is less than one-third, making the insurance bet a losing proposition in the long run.

Manage Your Bankroll

Setting a budget for your blackjack gaming session is important. You must decide on the amount of affordable money to lose. For instance, if you play in an online UAE Casino, and your budget is AED 1,000, you must divide it into smaller sessions like AED 200 per session. Not only does this approach help you enjoy your time, but it also prevents you from substantial losses.

Practice for Free

Some online casinos in the Arab region offer free blackjack games, allowing players to practice their strategy without risking real money. I think this is an amazing opportunity for Arab players to master blackjack before playing for real money.

Know When to Hit or Stand

I have already told you about the “hit” and “stand” in blackjack. You must hit if your hand is 8 or less. On the other hand, you must stand if you have 17 or more. You can use a strategy chart for hands in between.

Avoid Continuous Shuffles

Continuous shuffling does not favor a player because “Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSMs)” may make card counting impossible and increase the house edge. Although CMSs don’t significantly increase the house edge, they allow the dealing of more hands per hour, leading to quicker losses. For instance, a traditional game may allow an Arab player to play 60 hands per hour. However, you may play 80 hands with a CSM.

Split Pairs Wisely

Always split Aces because this gives you a higher chance to hit 21 with each Ace. So, this can improve your odds. Likewise, I recommend splitting 8s because an 8-8 hand totals 16, which is a weaker hand. So, splitting allows you to form a stronger hand.

Never split 10s because a pair of 10s totals 20, which is a strong hand. If you split, you will weaken your position in blackjack. The same is true for splitting 5s.

Double Down Smartly

Experts at online Qatar Casino recommend doubling down when the hand totals 11. So, this gives you a higher chance of hitting a 10. That way, you can make a stronger hand of 21. Moreover, double down when you have a soft 16-18 (for example, A5, A7) and the dealer shows a low card (for instance, 2-6). In this case, the dealer has a higher probability of busting. Therefore, this allows you to improve your hand with one more card.

Blackjack Card Values

blackjack card values

Blackjack card values are straightforward. The “number cards” have a face value. For example, a 2 means 2 points, a 3 is worth 3 points, etc. Ace is 1 or 11 points. Remember, the value of the Ace depends on which value benefits the hand more. If you have an Ace and a 7, your hand is 8 or 18. So, this flexibility makes the Ace a powerful card in blackjack.

Types of Blackjack Online

Here are the most popular types of blackjack online you can play in Arab casinos.

Blackjack Type	Dealer’s Hole Card	Double Down Rules	Splitting Rules	Special Features
Classic Blackjack	Before player decisions	On any two cards	Split up to 3 times	Standard rules
European Blackjack	After player decisions	Only on 9, 10, 11	Split once	No hole card until the player stands
Atlantic City	Before player decisions	On any two cards	Split up to 3 times	Late surrender allowed
Vegas Strip	Before player decisions	On any two cards	Split up to 3 times	Dealer checks for blackjack
Double Exposure	Both dealer cards face up	On any two cards	Split up to 3 times	Dealer’s cards are exposed
Blackjack Switch	Before player decisions	On any two cards	Split up to 4 times	Switch top cards between hands
Spanish 21	Before player decisions	On any two cards	Split up to 3 times	There are no 10s in the deck. Bonus payouts
Progressive Blackjack	Before player decisions	On any two cards	Split up to 3 times	Progressive jackpot

Arab online casinos have these blackjack variations from reputable software providers, such as Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play. These providers ensure each game is 100% random and unpredictable using RNG algorithms. Only a player’s strategy can determine the higher or lower chances of winning the game.

Online Blackjack Bonuses for Arabs

Online blackjack bonuses for Arab players

Bonuses are important for blackjack players in Arab online casinos because they improve the bankroll and allow more playtime. In simple terms, bonuses can increase your winning chances. You can also leverage bonuses and promotions to test strategies and get comfortable with real-money betting. Types of bonuses for blackjack players in an online Arab Casino are:

Welcome Bonus
No Deposit Bonus
Match/Deposit Bonus
Reload Bonus
Cashback Bonus

Here are some of the best casinos with generous bonuses for blackjack players in the Arab region:

Online Arab Casino	Welcome Bonus
Lucky Ones	$20,000
RoosterBet	5000 euros
CosmosWin	$5000
SultanBet	500 euros
888 Casino	$1000
Dream.Bet	$2000
OlympusBet	$1500
EmirBet	$2,200
BitKingz	3000 euros
Skycrown	$8000