Before trying to master the Universal Basic Blackjack Strategy, it is good for a player to ingrain in themselves what many blackjack players like to call the Simple Blackjack Strategy.  The keys to this strategy are, first of all, having a sound evaluation process by which to make the best decisions possible according the Basic Strategy itself.  It is an evaluation sequence, if you will, that if not used will give your online blackjack game a flighty outcome more subject to chance.  The outlined tips to follow are precisely this - A decision making guideline.  The Simple Strategy is discussed in a separate article.

Players who jump right into remembering the Basic Strategy almost always go blank the first few times they play at the casino. While this can be a valuable learning experience, it can be a very costly one to.  All of a sudden, the player must make a decision (Double down, hit, stand, take insurance) while an impatient dealer and other players look on.  This can be very nerve-wracking to someone who has not mastered an evaluation procedure and methodical decision process governing their hand.  The following sequence of decisions is one the best blackjack players always use.  They do it so much they do not even realize they are using it.  While employing the Simple Strategy (which is a baby step for learning the Basic Strategy), study this decision guideline well and practice it constantly so that it becomes second nature.  Upon receiving your two cards, and in this order:

Decide on whether to surrender your hand or keep playing - Some casinos (online or not) do not offer surrender as a course of action.  If the casino does, use the basic strategy (discussed later) to determine whether or not to surrender.  If the casino does not permit surrendering, go to the next step.

If you have a Pair, decide on whether to split it or not - Again, using the Basic Strategy, determine if splitting you hand into two hands would be favorable.  Or course, if you are not dealt a Pair, immediately go to the next step.

Choose whether to Double Down or not - This might be the very first decision you make if the casino does not allow surrendering and you are not dealt a Pair.  If such is the case, immediately begin using the Basic Strategy to determine whether a double down (2x wager) is favorable for your hand up against the dealers.  Deciding to double down or not will simultaneously inform you of the next decision you should make.  Remember, if you double down, you are automatically given one Hit - no more and no less.

Decide if you should Hit or Stand - If you do not double down, this is the biggest decision you will make.  Again, using the Basic Strategy, you will know just how to make this decision.  If you split your hand, you will use the same gudelines for each individual hand, beginning with the decision to double down or not.  Depending on the version of Blackjack, some online casinos will allow you to split a split hand (if you were to draw a third matching card) while other casinos will not.

This decision making process is not difficult at all.  Despite making it sound vitally important (which it still is) it is very easy to use on a subconscious level.  If you go blank on what to do while sitting at the blackjack table, start with the basics and make your decisions according to the numbers.