PLAY ONLINE BLACK JACK

Eliminate Or Be Eliminated

The elimination format of online tournament blackjack has recently become a true phenomenon, similar to the way Texas hold'em blew up in the late 1990s. If you haven't played this variant yet, it's a good idea to outline exactly how it differs from the standard version of blackjack.

The same general rules and strategies hold true, which is the good news. The major difference is the addition of elimination hands. These hands are spread out evenly over the course of a tournament, often arriving at hands numbered 8, 16 and 25 during a typical three-hand event. The player who has the smallest amount of chips when the elimination hand is completed is automatically and immediately booted from the game. Sorry, don't let the door hit your (empty) wallet on the way out.

Another distinct element of online elimination blackjack is the presence of a time limit. Generally, players have no more than to 25 seconds to make a decision during regular hands, and only 10 seconds during elimination hands. Clearly, this is not a blackjack form for the faint of heart, which is why many competitors say it is superior.

Switch It Up

Another form of the game that some players claim is the best is called "Blackjack Switch." This game gives you two hands to play separately. Each hand can hit, stand and/or double. At the start of the game, you must make equal bets on both hands, but not during the subsequent betting. A very high level of action defines blackjack switch, which is the main reason it's become so popular among online competitors.

Wave The White Flag

"Surrender" is another popular variation, though not all online casinos offer it. This version allows you to surrender either early or late, letting you bail out of the hand before the dealer checks his own hand for a blackjack. This can really save you bacon from time to time, so it's no surprise some people can't get enough of surrender.

Double Your Pleasure

Still other players will tell you that the online blackjack format called "Doubling After Split" takes the cake. This version entails a rule that allows you to double - after the hands have been split! A huge advantage is thus rendered on your side of the table. Just remember that 21 is not a natural hand when you double after split.

Online Elimination Blackjack Strategy

Online elimination blackjack is a fun and exciting form of tournament blackjack where you can win a fortune or be gone at any moment. It is said that online elimination blackjack combines the strategy elements of online poker tournaments with the excitement of the much beloved game of blackjack. To win at online elimination blackjack, it helps to have some basic strategic concepts under your belt.

Know the Basics

A good understanding of basic blackjack strategy is a must. While occasionally circumstances may dictate you make an off-book play, you should have a solid grounding in what the correct play is at all times to help you make optimal decisions.

Know Where You Are

The thing that distinguishes elimination blackjack from any other kind of blackjack tournament is the sudden death eliminations that happen on hands 8, 16 and 25, where the player with the lowest amount of chips is out of the tournament. When those hands come around, you must be very aware of how many chips your opponents have and how likely you are to be eliminated. Nothing is worse than winning your elimination hand and getting eliminated anyway because you didn't bet enough, or betting too much and getting eliminated when you should have been safe.

Calculate the Button

In elimination blackjack, there is a rotating button which determines who is first to act in the round. It is a big disadvantage to be acting in early position on an elimination hand. If you see that you will be early to act on such a hand, you need to be more aggressive than normal leading up to the hand, since you will have limited information when trying to avoid elimination. If you will have position on the next elimination hand, you can afford to play a little more conservatively.

Know Where Your Opponents Are

To be an effective online elimination blackjack tournament player you must be aware of where each of your opponents will be if they win or lose the next hand (assuming they have bet before you). You should also always have an eye on the chip leader and consider how you can overtake him, although you don't have to move ahead all in one shot.

Keep Your Options Open

Remember that to split or double a hand, you need to put up an amount equal to your bet. You can double for less, but you still must have some money in your bankroll to do so. Unless you need to go all in to win, try to keep half your bankroll in reserve in case you need to split a rough hand like 88 or AA.

The Different Phases of an Online Blackjack Tournament

Just as in a poker tournament, there are different stages in an online blackjack tournament, each with different strategic considerations.

Early Stages of an Online Blackjack Tournament:

Some players think they need to double up early in an online blackjack tournament to put the pressure on their opponents. Unfortunately, the opposite situation is what usually results. Coming out of the gate with big bets is a good way to get in trouble quickly. Either you put yourself in a big hole early, putting the pressure on you, not your opponents, or you generate a big stack that gives your opponents a goal to shoot at. The early stages of a blackjack tournament are a time to feel out your opponents and try to take a slim lead over your opponents if possible. When you have position on your opponents, you must size your bet so that a win will put you slightly ahead of the pack, while a loss won't put you too far behind.

Middle Stages of an Online Blackjack Tournament:

In the middle of the blackjack tournament, the players will start to spread out and you should have an idea where you stand. If you're not in the lead yet, you should be trying to take the lead, but still in small steps. There's still plenty of time and you don't need to risk your whole stack on one deal. If you have the lead, you should endeavor to size your bets so that they are roughly the same size as the bets of your opponents. This will make it difficult for your opponents to gain ground no matter what happens. Keep in mind that in most cases, most players will have the same result on any individual deal, since all players are up against the same dealer. Use this to your advantage.

End Stages of an Online Blackjack Tournament:

This is the time when all the players will be making their move. If you're way behind, this is the time to start making those big bets. Remember that if you are not able to match your bet you will not be able to make a split if necessary, so try to keep half your bankroll unless you absolutely have to bet it all. If you've got the lead, make sure you know where your opponents are chip-wise so someone close to you in chips can't get ahead just because you have made a betting mistake. If both you and a trailing opponent win a single bet in the late stages, you want to make sure you will retain the lead, especially on the final hand.