As with standard blackjack, the first thing to take into consideration when playing online blackjack is: "How many decks of cards are being used?" This number can vary from 1 to as many as 15, depending on the casino you are visiting. Single deck blackjack is hard to find, but it is the simplest to keep track of. You simply chart the cards as you see them. Here is a sample:

Since it is online blackjack, there is no dealer to watch you taking notes. With a visible chart of the cards played, a betting strategy can easily be put into place.

Take note of the chart above. Cards with a designation of "10" (that is the 10's, Jacks, Queens and Kings) number 16 out of 52 cards. About halfway through the deck you will be able to accurately extrapolate the dealer's down card and bet appropriately. This is a good time to make off the wall "double downs", or taking just one hit in exchange for doubling your bet. If you are looking at a hand of 12 for instance and it does not seem likely that the next card will be a ten, take the chance for a double down.

The last couple of hands is where you need to be, so bet conservatively so as to keep yourself in the game to the end of the deck. By thise time you should have a clear idea of how the cards will be dealt, based on what is left unchecked on your chart. Bet big when you know you will win, and the minimum if the house has it.

When dealing with multiple deck blackjack, you simply apply the strategy for single-deck, only to a larger scale. The above chart is extended out for however many decks are being used, and the cards are charted as they fall. Most people play online blackjack the same way as if they were in a live casino, it is this phenomena that allows the online casino to win at blackjack. Do not play swiftly, rather take your time and chart the cards. In multiple deck betting, the payoffs can be enormous, but you will need deep pockets to maintain yourself until a 15 deck chart starts to show trends.

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