Online Blackjack

Best Blackjack Casino sites

Basic rules of playing Online Blackjack 

If you want to enjoy playing Blackjack, then you must learn the basic game rules that apply. The rules are quite simple that even an amateur will be able to understand them quickly. But before we get to the specific Blackjack game rules, it’s important to note that playing at any online casino should be for fun. Therefore, be sure to wager only what you can afford to lose.

When playing Blackjack, you are basically playing against the dealer. Therefore, you should aim at beating the dealer with a maximum total of 21 points. Some of the basic rules we are going to look at are:

Number of decks

When playing Blackjack, the number of decks mainly depends on individual casinos, the common ones being 6 to 8 decks. One thing to note about Blackjack is that the smaller the number of decks, the higher the probability of winning. 

Card values

In Blackjack, every card has its value except for Aces and picture cards. For example, the picture card has a value of 10, while the Aces are valued at 1 or 11. To understand Blackjack better let me explain this- if you have a hand that comprises of 7 and 9, it is worth 16. While if you have an eight and an Ace, it will be worth 9 or 19, this difference depends on how you choose to play the hand. 

Chip value

Just like offline casinos, you will be given game chips once you have made your deposit at your favorite online casino. With Blackjack there are up to six chips (green $25, white $1, red $5, black $100, purple $500, orange $1,000). Note: The value of these game chips usually depends on individual casinos.

Hand types

There are two types of hands- soft/hand. In Blackjack, a soft hand is one that has an Ace valued as an 11. The reason as to why this is known as a soft hand is because, if more cards are added to it, and it goes over the 21 points limit, the value of the Ace card will decrease to 1.

Busting

As discussed earlier, the maximum play for Blackjack is 21. Therefore, if you play a hand and it exceeds 21, then it’s said that you have gone bust. 

Apart from the above-mentioned rules, there are other basic strategies that will help you score high when playing online Blackjack. They include: 

• Pick a game with the highest (RTP) Return to Player – the RTP for Blackjack usually ranges between 98% and 99%. However, this often depends on the different Blackjack variants. If you are a new gambler, this information can easily be found at the ‘game information section’ at your preferred online casino.
• Try the demo version first- the best thing about playing online Blackjack is that you can play for fun first before opting for real money. It’s always advisable to familiarize yourself first with the game layout before making an actual wager. However, this option is not available for live Blackjack.
• Don’t place side bets- online Blackjack usually has the highest RTP compared to other casino games. However, its side bets typically have a low payout ratio compared to the main game. For this reason, we advise players not to make side bets when playing Blackjack.

Online Blackjack betting options

When playing Blackjack, it’s important to note the various options that are used across the iGaming industry. 

Hit/Stand

When playing Blackjack, players have to decide to either hit (draw an additional card) or stand (don’t draw another card). When you decide to hit, the dealer will deal another card face up. Note: you should hit another card if, by doing so, you will be closer to reaching the 21 point mark.

If you choose to stand, then it means that you don’t want to change the current value of the hands dealt. Note: you should always choose this option if your hand value is enough to win against the dealer. You can also choose to stand if, by drawing another card, you will bust (as explained above).

Doubling down

When playing Blackjack, you will first be dealt two cards. The option to ‘double down’ will then be presented to you, and if you wish to increase the value of your first wager, you can select this option. Once you have selected to double down, your bet value will automatically be multiplied, and the dealer will deal you another card. Note: the hand will auto-stand after the additional card is dealt. 

Hint: Make sure to always double on 11 unless the dealer has an 11- Ace up. Also, if the dealer has a ten don’t double on 10.

Split

When playing Blackjack, you may have two cards with similar denominations. If this occurs, a ‘split button’ will appear. You will then have the option to play each of the hands separately. By choosing to play these hands separately, you can maximize your winnings if you know a trick or two. One of the best tricks to use in Blackjack is splitting your Aces and 8s. Note: you should never split 4s, 5s, or 10s.

Insurance

Just like the name suggests, this option gives you a chance to protect yourself from the dealer, in the event that they have a Blackjack. If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you have a chance to wager on whether the casino dealer’s card is a Blackjack or not. Now with the insurance wager option, which in context is equal to the first bet, will be used to cancel out the loss if your wager is not correct.

In Blackjack, the insurance win will be paid out at the odds of 2:1, hence breaking even since you had a loss on the first bet. Although this strategy seems advantageous for the player, Blackjack experts advise against taking an insurance during the game. Hint: you should take insurance if you are counting cards.

Surrender

Blackjack is a game of chance. If you think that your hand may have a higher value than that of your dealer’s, you can choose to fold your hand. This means that you will have to give half of your first bet to the casino and keep the other half. Note: if you split, double down, or draw a third card, the Blackjack surrender option is no longer available. Hint: you should only surrender a hard 16 played against a ten or an Ace or a hard 15 played against a 10.

A brief history of Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most played casino games in both offline and online casinos. Although its history is not clear, Blackjack was first mentioned in the 17th century in a Spanish tale known as Rinconete y Cortadillo. Other theorists also suggest that Blackjack originated in the 18th century in France. During this time, Blackjack was known as Vingt-et-Un. 

Blackjack finally became popular in the United States in the 21st century. Since then, software providers like NetEnt have developed over five different variants of this classic Blackjack game. Thanks to modern technology, you can now play your preferred Blackjack variant in live form. What this means is that casino operators are now able to live stream the game via phone or desktop devices in real-time. Since its origin, Blackjack has remained to be the most popular table game across the casino industry.

How to choose the best Blackjack online casino site

Choosing the best Blackjack online casino site can be hard. We have selected some of the best ways to identify top casinos that offer an amazing Blackjack gaming experience across the online gaming industry. 

Game selection

Blackjack is one of the classic table games across the iGaming industry. If you are a Blackjack fanatic, then you want an online casino that offers a variety of variants of this table game. The best casinos also have two or three Blackjack live versions, if you want to enjoy the live-action. Some of the famous Blackjack variants to look out for are Atlantic City Blackjack, European Blackjack, Pontoon, Perfect Blackjack, and Spanish 21, among others.

The best Blackjack casino sites have also partnered with well-known providers of this table game. Apart from NetEnt, the best Blackjack providers include PlayTech, Real Time Gaming, IGT, Evolution Gaming, and Microgaming, to name a few. 

It may reach a time when you are tired of playing Blackjack. The best casino sites have a plethora of other games to keep you entertained should such a case occur; for example, you can enjoy classic slots like Cleopatra or Starburst or just enjoy other casino games like Poker, Baccarat, Roulette, or Bingo. 

Gaming safety

User security should be the number one priority at every online casino. The best Blackjack casino sites offer players a secure gaming environment across all their platforms. The best way to know if an online casino is safe is by looking out for the security logos, which are found at the bottom of the first web page. Our recommended Blackjack offering casinos are licensed by reputable commissions like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, among others.

The best Blackjack casino site also uses the (RNG) Random Number Generator across all its games. The RNG is mainly important for table games as it is used to ensure that all the game results delivered are fair and unbiased. You should also check if the online casino uses the latest SSL software to keep your account details safe from third-party intrusion.

Bonus offers

Another way of spotting the best Blackjack offering online casino is the bonuses on offer. Some of our recommended casinos have exclusive bonuses for when you play any table game for the first time. Also, unlike the land-based casinos where bonuses are only reserved for high-rollers, you will enjoy a welcome bonus when you make your first deposit at an online casino. You don’t have to be a high-roller. Moreover, you qualify for a bonus even when you make a minimum deposit of $10.

Customer support

You may, at times, be met with difficulties when playing at an online casino. The best Blackjack casinos should have a 24/7 customer support system. The common customer support options are live chat, email, and phone. We also advise players to first visit the casinos’ FAQ section before contacting the support team via any of the above-mentioned methods. 

Banking options

Playing online Blackjack is fun, but what makes the experience more exciting is having reliable banking options. The best Blackjack offering casino sites have a variety of funding methods that are fast, safe, and secure. Some of the best options are PayPal, Skrill, Revolut, Visa, MasterCard, and Netteller, among others. 

Mobile compatibility

The fun of online gaming is the ease of access. The best Blackjack casino sites either have a mobile app or are accessible via a phone browser. All you have to do is log in to your account and download the app from the main website. The most preferred devices to use are Android or IOS phones.

Conclusion

As we’ve mentioned throughout the review, Blackjack is one of the most played classic table games in the iGaming industry. We have made it easy for you to find the best online casinos that offer this game in whichever form you want to play- be it live or the usual table game. By opening an account at any of our recommended Blackjack online casinos, we can assure you that you will have an amazing gaming experience. With all this information, why don’t you sign up, make your deposit, and claim your bonus at any of these top-rated Blackjack casino sites today!