Alright, you have played some black jack in your life, and experienced varying levels of success. You have an understanding of basic blackjack strategy, and maybe even know a couple of more esoteric moves to make. You are thinking about playing some online black jack in a serious attempt to build your bankroll and consistently win money. If that is the case, you can go absolutely nowhere without understanding blackjack odds inside and out. Without an intimate knowledge of the odds you face when playing 21 in any situation, you can never know what the proper play is.

To really get a grip on how important knowing your blackjack odds is, let us use a far-fetched example. If I told you all you had to do was cross a four lane highway to receive $1 million, but the odds are that you will get hit by a speeding vehicle 99 times out of 100, you would be wise to stay on this side of the road. However, if crossing the dangerous interstate was to give you winning odds 99 times out of 100, you could almost certainly start spending the money in your mind because you are nearly guaranteed to win. And that is really what understanding the odds in 21 gives you, an expectation of the result.

The first thing you need to know is that your black jack odds change depending on the size of the virtual shoe being used. If the online bj game for cash you are playing uses a four deck shoe, your odds are going to be more favorable than if an eight deck shoe is employed. And if you can find any one deck shoes online, definitely play them. The fewer the number of cards you have to be concerned with, the better. Also, if the online casino you frequent makes the dealer stand on soft 17, this increases your odds by 0.22%. When you are allowed to split aces, this adds 0.19% to your winning odds.

And though sometimes you may find online casinos offering one deck or two deck shoes, look very closely at the fine print. These virtual Vegas operators usually pay 6 to 5 on black jack, rather than 3 to 2. This actually makes playing with the usually attractive fewer number of cards a 1.39% increase in odds in favor of the house. And despite popular belief to the contrary, the mistaken assumption that when you are allowed to play more hands you improve your odds, you actually only increase your control, and the amount of money you risk.

There have been many books written on blackjack odds, and how to tilt them in your favor. This short introduction is by no means inclusive, and just gives you a few pointers of what to look for when you decide to enjoy some exciting and fast-moving bj online. Remember that getting the best possible welcome bonus immediately gives you a boost to your bankroll, and can help offset poor odds and poor play. The best way to enjoy the greatest possible odds when playing blackjack, according to many basic strategy guides, is to never take insurance, always split aces, never play at tables that offer a 6 to 5 payout on blackjack, and play on tables which force the dealer to stand on soft 17 wherever possible. You can also improve your odds dramatically by learning basic bj strategy, and then it is time to hit the tables with your newfound knowledge.