Microgaming blackjack strategy guide. Blackjack tips and rules. Play blackjack online and win!

Microgaming, one of the most pioneering and innovative developers in the online gaming sector, produces some of the most slick and beautiful simulations of dealer blackjack available on the market. In this article, we'll give you tips on how to hone your blackjack strategy so that you'll be playing like a pro in no time.

Ok, as you probably know, in the game of blackjack you will be playing against the dealer, not against other players. The winner of a round is whichever one of you is holding the hand with the highest value, without going bust.

This being the case, there are a couple of things you want to look out for before you even sit down at the table. First, work out in advance how much of your bankroll you want to play with. Then scroll through the lobby of your online casino looking for a blackjack where the minimum bet doesn't exceed 5% of your play money. This ensures you at least 20 good hands in the session.

Next, pay attention to the rules of the Microgaming blackjack table – there are variations at each casino and you want to make sure that you're aware of what they mean. At minimum, look for tables that allow you to double down and split, and where the dealer must stand on no higher than 17.

This is because, while it's possible to beat the casino at blackjack, the game is actually stacked in favour of the dealer. Your only real advantages are the ability to double, and the dealer's inability to draw after 17.

Doubling is the act of doubling your bet on a hand, and drawing one more card to it. Be sure you want to do this before you call it, because you will not be able to hit again after the card is drawn. Doubling is somewhat risky, but can pay off under the right circumstances.

The general wisdom around doubling is that you should do it on any hand worth between 9 and 11, but if you do it any higher than 11 you are taking your life into your own hands. Doubling on higher than 11 can work, but the odds significantly increase that you will bust yourself.

Splitting in blackjack, where you split your hand into two new hands, each with its own wager is often considered a good move in some cases and there are some good guidelines in this regard. First, never split a pair of 10s or any royalty. Those hands are worth 20, an almost guaranteed win, and considering that blackjack odds are generally low, there is no sense in throwing away a winning hand.

Likewise, don't split a pair of 5s. That's worth 10, which means it's safe either to hit or to double – don't waste the opportunity to increase your win.

Deciding to split really depends on what you think the dealer is holding. Look at the dealer's exposed card. If it's 8 or lower, then go ahead and split a hand of 7s or 8s. A pair of 8s is worth 16, which will almost always lose unless the dealer goes bust, so splitting them out makes a lot of sense and carries no risk of going bust yourself.