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Online casino games such as Blackjack have rapidly gained popularity in the past few years. This is not surprising because many people already love playing this classic casino game and the fact that they could do that anytime and anywhere is very appealing.
If you happen to be interested in playing online Blackjack, then this article is for you. Here, you’ll learn everything you have to know about the game. We have also included some tips on how to increase your chances of winning and get the best out of the experience.
One of the biggest factors that will affect your online blackjack experience is your choice of site. It’s essential to choose a reputable site that fits your needs and skill level since not all of them are made equal. Plus, most online casino sites nowadays are more focused on slots and poker so finding one with a good selection and variety of blackjack games is also crucial.
With this in mind, here’s a list of the top 10 online Blackjack sites worth considering in 2023:
Pros:
Cons
Super Slot takes the best overall site award because it offers multiple blackjack variants and 2 live casinos. Some of the variants you can enjoy from this site are multi-hand, single deck, and European blackjack.
What makes this casino different from the rest is that the bet range is $1 to $10,000 for their blackjack selection. This means that regardless of whether you are a leisure player or a serious one, you can join in the Blackjack fun through Super Slot.
Most importantly, their game providers are some of the most reputable ones in the industry. You can rest easy knowing that the games are not rigged. There are also plenty of other exciting online games that you can enjoy from this casino if you ever feel tired of playing blackjack.
Cons:
Bovada has been in the casino industry for over 3 decades and today, they have evolved into one of the top online casinos for games, horse racing, and sportsbook. Their Blackjack game offerings are also very noteworthy.
This online casino offers a wide range of Blackjack variations; perfect pairs, double deck, single deck, and many more. But, what makes them a standout is their live dealer blackjack. The quality is very nice because it is in HD and there are tons of ‘us vs. them’ vibes that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Another reason why Bovada is worth considering as a blackjack online casino is because of its customer service and payments and withdrawal option. You can expect A+services from these aspects.
Slots.lv is an excellent choice for beginners who want to try their luck playing online roulette and slots. While it is more famous for its slots – it has hundreds of them, you will also find various games to bid time while hoping to win. Some of its popular games include American Roulette, European Roulette, and many other types of online roulettes.
You will find hoards of casino games at the site, including live roulette. They are easy to play with, so you will have a breeze trying your hands on them, even if it is your first time. The site also allows you to try the demo mode of the games, which is specifically helpful for beginners.
Slots.lv has a responsive and slick user interface, making it handy for players to switch from virtual games to live casinos and vice versa. It may not have a good number of table games like the top sites of online casinos, but this is perfect for players who want to engage in the mix of slots and roulette.
Additionally, many new players flock to the site for its generous promo for beginners. It offers up to $5,000 on the table for new sign-ups.
Ignition might be a recognizable name for you and that’s not a surprise since they’re one of the most reputable online casinos. They are known for their poker game but they have recently been stepping up with their Blackjack selections, especially in terms of bonuses and promotions.
This casino is among the few that offer combined bonuses for players who love poker and blackjack. You’ll get a 100% deposit bonus capped at $1,000 that you can use on blackjack, poker, or both. The deposit bonus is even higher if you use crypto as your deposit method.
Aside from its excellent blackjack selection and generous bonuses, Ignition casino is part of this list because of its excellent customer service. They are very responsive and helpful. They also have the Ignition Forum section that allows you to connect with fellow blackjack lovers.
BetOnline is an industry pioneer and there over a decade of experience shows in the quality of their games and services.
Although there are tons of blackjack variations, it’s more likely that you will find all of them here because they offer 30 different blackjack games. Among the most notable one of these games is their Single-Dec Las Vegas Game. It’s ideal for players on a budget because the minimum bet is only $1. Their Blackjack Double Exposure and Black Switch are also worth trying.
In terms of bonuses and promotions, they are also one of the best online casinos. They offer a 100% deposit match capped at $1,000. The thing is, you can avail of this 3 times instead of just on your first deposit which is pretty generous.
If you are looking to splurge on online blackjack, the Wild casino might be the best choice for you. Although it might not have an extensive selection compared to other sites on this list, you’ll still be entertained because you can make lucrative bets.
Their top blackjack games are Blackjack 11 and Single Deck blackjack. Both of these games provide you with the option to make a side bet that is 500 times more than your stake. With a maximum bet of $10,000, there’s a chance for you to earn good money from this.
This casino also has a blackjack live dealer option specifically for VIPs. You’ll get the treatment that you want without needing to go out of your house. How convenient is that, right?
El Royale casino is one of the best options for newbies. The minimum bet on their blackjack games is only $1 so since you are still practicing, you won’t be losing a lot of money if you ever make a mistake. The games on this platform are also super easy to use and the rules are not complicated.
Aside from being beginner-friendly, this is also an online blackjack platform because it has instant deposit options which are super convenient. Although there are minimal fees involved, having the option to fund your account instantly is nice.
Unfortunately, advanced players will find this platform insufficient mainly because it does not have a live dealer option. The game selection is also quite limited but hopefully, this will change in the future.
Red Dog offers an excellent experience for those who want to play online blackjack on their mobile phone. Its mobile-friendly design features intuitive navigation, attractive graphics, and an easy-to-follow menu. This means that it doesn’t take much learning curve and time to enjoy mobile online blackjack.
There are several blackjacks to choose from on this platform. They also offer other classic casino games in case you want to switch it up a bit.
Other than being an excellent mobile-friendly casino, Red Dog is also known for their excellent customer service. However, the only downside is that there is no live blackjack option. Their promotions are also more focused on their slot games.
32Red online casino is among the few that offer multiple blackjack tournaments with interesting formats. Here you have the option to participate in 3 blackjack tournaments; Freeroll Blackjack tournament, Survivor Blackjack Tournament, and $500 Blackjack attack. Each tournament has a different level of challenge and excitement so you’ll definitely find one that is enjoyable for you.
Participating in their tournament is also super easy. All you need to do is download their app and have a stable internet connection and you’re good to go. Just make sure that your account has sufficient funds when you’re about to enter the tournament.
This casino does announce its upcoming tournaments in advance which is a good thing. This can help you prepare your pockets and strategies.
Slots.lv is a popular online casino mostly known for its slot games. However, they also offer a variety of blackjack games. In fact, they have 8 variety options with many different game titles from reputable gaming software providers.
This is also among the few websites that offer a demo mode. This means that you can try different blackjack games such as Zappit blackjack or Perfect pairs without risking any money. They also have an excellent live dealer option if you want some live action.
Another reason why you should consider playing here is that their bonuses are blackjack-friendly. Most of the time, the wagering requirements casinos set for their bonuses and promotions. They are only specific for their slots and poker games, which means you lose out on those benefits if you just want to play blackjack or you’re forced to play other games just to satisfy the requirements. Luckily, that’s not the case at Slots.lv
In online casino jargon, RTP stands for Return to Player. This term refers to the percentage given to players as prizes. This percentage usually differs from one category to another. For blackjack, 7.bit Casino is one of the sites that offer the best RTP, especially for their crypto blackjack since it has 96-99% RTP.
Unlike the other casinos on this list, this one caters more to those who want to play using crypto. Because of this, the deposit options can be a bit confusing for those who are not familiar with crypto but their withdrawal options are actually quite extensive since you have 15 methods to choose from including the leading cryptos.
This casino also has a fantastic blackjack selection which is not surprising since they have over 7000 games in their library. Although their blackjack variety is not that wide, you won’t get bored because there are plenty of game titles to choose from.
There are a ton of online blackjack platforms popping here and there. Because of this, it’s clear why you might feel tempted to pick a random platform and start playing. This is fine if you are a leisure player who plays once in a while with small investments.
However, if you are serious about playing online Blackjack and want to earn real money from it, you first need to learn the basics of the game. Although many of you are already familiar with Blackjack because it’s a casino mainstay, there are different rules and strategies when playing it online.
At the same time, not all online blackjack platforms are made equal; some are better than others, while there are some that you should avoid at all costs. You also have to know which online blackjack platforms offer beneficial terms and which ones are all promises and no actual benefit.
The only way for you to learn about the tricks and strategies for playing online Blackjack and identify which is the best platform that offers it is to do thorough research. Luckily, you can get all that from this article.
The concept of playing Blackjack is quite simple. Traditional Blackjack is played at a table with at least two players and typically a maximum of 7 players. The game uses a 52-card deck with one to eight.
All cards with numbers have the same value that’s indicated on them. Meanwhile, face cards such as the Kings and Queens are equivalent to 10 points. Aces can either have the value of 11 or one, depending on what’s more advantageous for the player.
At the start of every round, all players must bet according to their “boxes,” which refers to their betting positions. Once the bet is made, players are given two face-up cards on their betting positions. The dealer will then receive two cards, one face-down while the other is face up.
From the dealer’s left side, each play has the chance to draw more cards. They can either choose to ‘stand’ or ‘hit.’ If the player chooses ‘hit,’ then they’ll be given another card. After that, they have two options; choose ‘hit’ again or ‘stand’ if they want to stop reconvening more cards.
The number of times a player can say ‘hit’ is unlimited. Still, the goal is not to exceed the value of the cards they hold to 21, or else they’ll go ‘bust.’ If they do, they’ll forfeit the bet immediately.
After each player has either stood or bust, it will then be the dealer’s turn. They can again choose to either ‘hit’ or ‘stand.’ Players will win if the dealer’s hand exceeds 21. They’ll get their initial bet together with the equivalent amount from the dealer’s bank.
If the dealer does not go bust and reach a valid hand, the number of cards the players hold will be totaled. Then, these three scenarios can happen:
Simple, right? Although Blackjack is a game of luck, strategy is also equally important, especially when deciding whether to call ‘hit’ or ‘stand.’
One of the aspects of Blackjack that makes it exciting is the fact that there are plenty of betting options for you to choose from. These include the following:
There are instances when a player feels like the cards that they have are not worth fighting for. In this case, they have the option to ‘Surrender.’
When players choose to surrender, they’ll be forfeiting half of their bend, and their hands will immediately end. However, this option is only possible in several tables and can only be used as the first decision.
Losing half of your bet might sound wasteful, but it’s best to cut your losses instead of going all in.
Split is when two hands are created from the starting hand, which have equivalent values. Each hand will be paired with another card, allowing a player to have two starting hands. There must be an additional bet on the second hand to do this.
The two hands are played together. Some casinos only allow splitting when cards are of the same rank. Here’s an example scenario:
A player’s hand is dealt with two cards with two 10 number cards. In that case, they can choose to make a split bet. However, if the card they receive is 10, which has a value of 10, and a number 10 card, then they could not make a split bet because the two cards are not of the same rank.
In some casinos, re-splitting and doubling are not allowed. It’s highly recommended to read their betting rules first because they can vary from one casino to another. You have to place additional chips next to the original bet to signal for a split bet. Put it outside the betting box and point your fingers into a V formation.
Double down is the best option where a player increases the initial bet by 100% and an additional card. The additional bet is positioned next to the original one. In some games, you can increase the bet amount by less than 100%. Non-controlling players only get one card regardless of whether they double their bet or not.
You have to place an additional bet beside the original one to signal for a double down. Place it on the outside of the betting box while pointing one finger.
This is a wagering option wherein you make a bet on another player’s hand. It’s commonly used in online blackjack tables that are full. Still, it’s available regardless of whether you’re playing on that table or not.
The advantage of this bet option is that you don’t have to worry about seating, which can be an issue when live Blackjack. You can join the action regardless of whether you are seated or not.
The downside is that you don’t really have much control over the strategy because it solely depends on the seated player. You either have to observe carefully or make wild guesses.
In the event that the dealer reveals an ace, the option to make an insurance bet will be available. Insurance bets will be announced before the first player places. The amount of the insurance bet will be half of the current bet.
The insurance pays 2 to 1 in case the dealer has a blackjack.
In the majority of the casinos, the dealer will look at the face-down cards and take an insurance bet immediately. Meanwhile, in other casinos, the payoff will have to wait until the end of the hand.
If players have more than one hand in face-down games, they can look at all their hands before making an insurance bet. This is the only instance when a player can take a look at multiple hands at once.
Aside from the dealers, players can also make an insurance bet. However, take note that insurance companies lose more money in the long run.
Like classic casino games such as poker, Blackjack also has plenty of variations from across the globe. This includes the following:
Play Blackjack for real money at HighRoller Casino.
The classic Blackjack is what you commonly observe in most traditional casinos. It uses 8 decks with 52 cards. All of these cards are shuffled together before a hand begins.
In this variation, the dealer will not receive a whole card. Instead, they must hit with a total of 16 or less. They could also hit on a soft 17, which is a hand that includes an ace since its value could be 1 or 11.
Formerly known as Vingt-Un, Pontoon is a card game of the banking family. It is the British version of Blackjack. It’s played with at least 2 players and a maximum of 10.
It was first played in Spain during the 17th century. But, it became popular in Britain, Germany, and France by the late 18th century. It then became popular in the US during the 19th century.
This game is played using a French-suited pack of 52-cards which means that the jokers are not included. The value of each card is as follows:
Ace = 1 or 11 Court Cards = 10 Pip card = indicated value If a player is dealt with a court card and an ace, then they’ll get a score of 21, which is referred to as a “natural Vingt- un” or “pontoon.”
Modern-day pontoon rules vary but based on the standard rule, the dealer is decided by whoever first pulls a jack. The players then place bets based on the consensus upper and lower limits agreed upon looking at their first cards.
The dealer has the option to double their stakes by not looking at their cards. Upon being dealt their second card, players with a “pontoon” shall declare it immediately.
Progressive Blackjack is one that uses the progressive wagering system. This relatively new betting system came along with the rise of online casinos in recent years.
Progressive wagering involves adjusting the size of your bet according to whether you won or lost the prior one. This was typically used in slot machines, and the jackpot gets larger as you play the game. However, online casinos have started to integrate it into blackjack games.
In Blackjack, progressive wagering is usually in the form of a “bad beat jackpot.” This is when your bed is decided based on the standard rule of the game. It’s a separate bet that you make from the bet you make on the game itself. This means that the progressive jackpot in Blackjack does not really require skills, but rather, you just have to win the game.
Masque Publishing Inc., a gaming publishing company based in Colorado, owns the blackjack variant Spanish 21. The unlicensed version can be referred to as “Spanish blackjack.” In Malaysia and Australia, an unlicensed version of this game is played in casinos under the name “Pontoon,” initially introduced in 1995.
This game is played on a blackjack table, but the difference is that there’s a custom layout and the rules are as follows:
The game uses 6 or 8 of a 48-card Spanish deck dealt from a continuous shuffling machine or shoe. The dealer will receive a whole card. Similar to standard Blackjack, the dealer hits on a 16 or soft 17. It follows similar rules to Blackjack when it comes to betting options, except that players can do a split of up to 4 independent hands. In some casinos, players are allowed to surrender after doing a double if the dealer does not hold a blackjack. Holding a hand with a value of 21 means a player wins.
The Perfect Pairs Blackjack is a variation of the traditional Blackjack, allowing players to make an additional bet to cover the possibility of the first two cards being a pair. Wagering a perfect pair bet is only possible if in a perfect pair blackjack table.
In this scenario, players must have a bet on the traditional blackjack box on top of a perfect pair bet. A maximum of 3 players can make this bet after they have already placed their usual bet on the box.
The perfect pair blackjack payout is as follows:
Blackjack Switch was patented in 2009 after Geoff Hall invented it. It is a variation of the standard Blackjack, but the difference is that each player is dealt with 2 hands instead of one. The players are then given the option to “switch” the top two cards that are between the hands.
The origin of this Blackjack variation is actually quite interesting. Geoff Hall, who used to be a card counter, found himself frustrated because he was dealt with 2 weak hands that could improve the other if only the top two cards could be switched with one another. He then refined the idea and presented it at Las Vegas’ G2E conference in October 2000. The following year, it was installed in Harvey’s Casino, and after it was modified, it was installed in Four Queens.
This Blackjack variation is played with either 4,6, or 8 52-card decks that are shuffled together. These cards are then dealt with using a shuffling machine or a dealing shoe.
The table layout for this variant is the same as standard Blackjack, but the difference is that each playing position has 2 betting boxes instead of just one. These two boxes must have identical wagers, but they are separate hands that can be either split or doubled independently.
During the first deal of cars, the dealer will put one card facing up one every box of the playing positions from left to right. Once the agreement on side bets is made, the dealer will then ask all the players whether they want to make a switch.
Once all the players are asked, the dealer will play his hand according to the rules of standard Blackjack. The difference is that if the dealer’s hand is 22, it’s not considered a bust but instead, a tie against another player’s hand. However, there’s an exception to this and that is when the player’s Blackjack is not from a split or switch.
Contrary to standard Blackjack rules, multi-hand Blackjack makes it possible for players to have more than one hand, making the game more interesting because this would also mean more bets and more jackpots. This jackpot variation is among those you would commonly find in online casinos.
The rules of this Blackjack are similar to the rules of standard Blackjack. The difference is that players are allowed to make different moves with multiple hands in one game. They’re allowed as many as 5 hands.
During these games, it’s not necessary for the wagering amount for each hand to be equal. It’s not surprising because every hand is considered independent from one other.
Some online casinos have rules that prevent players from surrendering. However, they allow insurance bets if the dealer gets an ace. Since rules vary from one casino to another for multi-hand Blackjack, it’s highly recommended to check the specific rules before you start playing.
Chinese Blackjack is also called Xi Dach in Vietnamese, Ban-luck in Hokkien, Kampung Blackjack in Malaysian, and Ban-nag in Cantonese. It’s a blackjack variation typically played in Southeast Asian countries. This game was traditionally played during Chinese New Year because that time of the year is believed to bring in good luck.
The game uses 2 decks of 52 cards and can be played with as many players as you want. One of the players will be the dealer, or they can choose to take turns later on, depending on what’s decided by the majority.
What makes this variation different from the standard Blackjack is that the dealer has the ability to choose a player and reveal their hand. They can settle bets with them and hit again or reveal another player’s hand. Another notable difference in the rules of the Chinese variation is that a player with 5 cards who remain unbusted is given a special status.
The winning condition for this variation is as follows:
In this variation, there are no winning privileges for pairs. Some houses also require players to reveal busted hands so that their opponents can closely observe whether they’re bluffing or not.
The California Blackjack has some unique table rules invented in 1989. This is a player-banked variation played at a Los Angeles casino, and the game rules may vary from one casino to another. The playing rules are similar to traditional Blackjack except:
This Blackjack variation is one of those that you’ll find in online casinos. This one, in particular, is different because the wagering is based on whether a player has a natural blackjack or not. The other wager done in this game is whether the dealer gets a natural blackjack.
In Bonus Blackjack, players can wager on either the dealer, player or both of them. You’ll get a 15 to 1 payout if you win, so it has a more lucrative payout than the traditional variation.
One of the reasons why free blackjack online games are becoming super popular is because of their long list of benefits. These benefits are namely:
Free online blackjack does not require you to deposit money to try the game. In fact, many of these do not even require you to create an account and sign up on the website. This means that you can play to your heart’s content.
You don’t have to sign-up and share your personal and banking information when playing free blackjack games online. This means there’s no chance of you becoming a victim of scams and other fraudulent activities.
Blackjack is a game that involves luck but that’s not all to it; you also need to have the right strategy to best the other players and the dealer. Developing strategies is only possible if you constantly practice and that is exactly what you’d get from playing free Blackjack games online.
Free blackjack and real money blackjack have their own benefits that make them better than the others. However, both also have their own fair share of disadvantages. Here’s a quick look at what each blackjack has to offer and its downsides:
Nobody becomes an expert Blackjack player overnight; it takes years of experience and practice to achieve that. However, the most difficult part is always starting. If this is your case, you are not alone but what many beginners find helpful is to find a strategy that works for them.
The most basic strategy when playing blackjack is to memorize the way to hit, stand, double down, and split your cards. By doing so, you’ll reduce the house edge by around 1% which can be quite helpful in increasing your chances of winning.
Here are some beginner-friendly blackjack tips that will help make the basic strategy more effective:
Don’t go all out the moment you sit at the table. Instead, it’s more strategic to assess the situation and identify whether the dealer is hot or cold. These hot and cold streaks will affect your chances of winning so you must pay attention to them.
Make it a habit to always look at the dealer’s up card before doing anything. Identify whether they have a good or bad card since the hand they hold matters equally as your own hand. This is also the only way of knowing if your cards have a fighting chance.
The first base chair is usually at a disadvantage when the dealer is rushing which is why you should avoid sitting there. Instead, go further down the seating arrangement because this will allow you to have more time to think of the best next move for your hand. You can also have a longer time to decide what to do with the dealer’s upcard.
You have to remember that the decisions of other players in Blackjack won’t affect you unlike in poker and other card games. Other players are not your opponent but rather, it’s the dealer so don’t listen to what they say and follow the basic strategy.
One of the biggest advantages you’ll get from online Blackjack is that some platforms allow you to play on mobile devices. This idea is even better once you learn that the process is super easy and convenient. All you need is an mobile device and a stable connection.
The rules and regulations of the online blackjack mobile app are usually the same as the web version. Just make sure to take a look and read the terms and conditions before playing to prevent misunderstandings.
Here’s a quick run of how to play Blackjack on your mobile device:
Download the app of a mobile-friendly blackjack casino
Create an account on the app and sign in
It might take several hours to a couple of days before your account is verified. Just wait for it, and you’re ready to play.
Most mobile-friendly online blackjack games are compatible with either iOS or Android devices. The nice thing about them is that they usually offer two options: real money games or practice games. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll definitely have fun refining your blackjack skills with your mobile device.
If you are a Blackjack newbie, you might have already heard the terms “soft” and “hard” hands. So, what exactly do they mean?
You get a soft hand if one of the cards you’re dealt with is an ace. It’s called such because the ace value could either be 1 or 11. This means that you have the flexibility of choosing what value you want to use based on the hand of the dealer.
In contrast, a “hard” hand refers to cards dealt that do not have an ace. This is because the value of the cards that you hold is fixed. For example, if the card you’re dealt with is a king and heart of 10, the pair has no other value except 20.
The fact that a single card can significantly change the winning rate of a hand is interesting. This is why many prefer getting an ace on the cards that they are dealt. However, a soft hand does not automatically mean that you’ll win. You still have to put in some strategy to beat other players and the dealer.
