When you play online blackjack you better face the fact that you need your two cards to total 19, 20 or 21 to win or you need the dealer to bust. If you have 17 or 18 you really are not in very good shape. So what can you do about a hand of 17? The reality is that there is nothing you can do. You have to stay unless it is a soft 17. What about when you have 18? You would think things would be better and they are, but not by a whole lot. You are going to make money most of the time when the dealer has an upcard between 2 through 8, but are going to lose most of the time when he has 9, 10, or Ace.

What happens when you have 19 when playing online blackjack? You should win money right? It is a good hand, but still it does not guarantee you will win money. If the dealer shows an ace or a 10 you are still in trouble. In the long run you will still lose money against those two cards. When you have 20 in online blackjack then you finally have a strong hand. Against any dealer's up card including an ace, you will make money over the long haul.

What does this tell you about online blackjack? It tells you that to feel secure you really need a 20 or a 21 to make money.