Blackjack is the most popular card game in the world and Blackjack tables are always packed with punters trying to take a turn and grab a seat. Why is it such a popular game? Well, it offers a high thrills, big stakes and plenty of prize-winning opportunities. On top of this, Blackjack is one of the highest paying card games (as it gives the house the lowest edge), offers easy to use strategy and pretty simple rules, meaning players are grappling for a place at the table. Let’s take a closer look at how to play and win online Blackjack.
How to Play Online Blackjack
Online Blackjack is a brilliant game choice, it is one of the highest paying card games in the casino in terms of the house edge and requires less memory dependant skills than say playing Poker. With simple Blackjack strategies, it’s easy to learn how to win the game and you’ll soon be playing like a pro. Blackjack free games and bonuses are particularly handy as they allow you to practise your game in a risk free environment.
Blackjack is a very simple game to get started with at the casino, which is why so many players love it. The aim of the game and blackjack rules are very simple to get to grips with; make a hand with the value of 21 without going over- bust.
To start playing: Load up your chosen casino site and search for the Blackjack game you would like to play. Click to enter. Set your bet level at the bottom of the screen and click deal. Depending on which cards you are first dealt, you have a number of choices over your next move. 1. Split, 2. Hit, 2. Twist, 3. Stand, 4. Double. Wait on the outcome of the hand and who is declared the winner.
There are some Blackjack rules that apply exclusively to the dealer: The dealer must stand if their hand is 17+. The dealer must count an A as 11 if it would give him a hand of 17 or over and not bust. For the player, they can choose if an A is 1 or 11.
Blackjack Online Terminology and Moves
During the play (instruction 3 above) you will get to choose over a number of actions to take:
Hit
Select hit when you want to add another card to your hand.
Stand
Stand when you are happy your hand can win; for the player, this is normally recommended on a hand of 17 and above. A Blackjack- A and Face card beats any other hand.
Split
If you are dealt 2 matching cards on the first hand you can double your bet and split the round, playing with 2 separate hands.
Double
To double your bet on a good hand, click double and get another card.
Bust
When you have gone over 21 and forfeit the round.
Advice to Play Online Blackjack
Cards count as their face value in Blackjack. All royals count as 10 and an ace can be 1 or 11. Suits have no value and you total cards by their value to make a hand. You can win via the following ways:
- Get Blackjack, this is an Ace and face card and is the highest paying hand in the game paying at 3:2.
- Make a hand of 21 or as close as possible using any other cards for 1:1 payouts if it beats the dealer’s hand.
- If the dealer goes bust you win.
- If there is a tie your bet is returned.
Online Blackjack Variants and Live Casino
With the huge rise in the popularity of Online Blackjack the game has diversified, not only can you choose from hundreds of different Blackjack games from different software, but you can also take your pick from loads of different variants including Live Blackjack using Live Casino software where there is a dealer present via live cam. Different variants have different rules and use a different number of decks of cards in play from 1-8. Some of the most popular variants of blackjack online are:
- Classic Blackjack: 6 decks used, double downs allowed on first 2 cards.
- Blackjack Surrender: 6 decks, shuffled after each hand, Blackjack beats all and players can surrender for a return of half their bet.
- Progressive Blackjack: played with an additional side bet so you can opt to enter the progressive jackpot.
- Blackjack Switch: play 2 hands at a time and you are allowed to switch cards between them!
- Double Exposure: allows you to see the dealer’s cards, but recovers the house edge by changing some of the other rules. Played with 8 decks.
- Blackjack Gold: Play VIP Blackjack with the Gold series.
- Live Blackjack: Play with a live dealer whilst you enjoy different Blackjack variants.
Different software providers each have their own take on the perfect online Blackjack table, so experiment with different providers as well as variants. Available to play on mobile, desktop and tablet devices, online Blackjack is accessible to all and you should find a good range of bet levels across different games. If you are looking for high stakes, check out the VIP and Gold series tables. All blackjack online tables should tell you their minimum and max limits on the table.
Play Online Blackjack For FreeIf you are looking to play Blackjack online for free the great news is, there are plenty of ways. |
Blackjack Free Apps: if you are looking to play purely for free then there are a huge amount of free online Blackjack apps, just head to the Play/ i Store and see the highest rated free options. |
Blackjack Free Games: If you want to play games that are of the same high quality as the casino options then your best chance is to head over to a free play casino games site, you can find plenty online. |
Blackjack Casino Promotions: This is the best option for players who already know they want to play Blackjack for real money as it means signing up to a casino and in some scenarios depositing money to access a bonus deal, find out more below. |
Strategy and Tips for Online Blackjack
Blackjack is a game of more than just luck, it incorporates a large share of skill and this is one of the reasons so many players love to partake in the game. It is therefore, important to implement a Blackjack strategy. Blackjack charts can help guide newer players as to what move they should make when they have certain cards in Blackjack. This is often referred to as the ultimate Blackjack strategy as it has been calculated according to the odds of a good outcome for each manoeuvre.
There are also more general, well known player tips such as:
- Always split on Aces and Eights: 16 is the worst hand in Blackjack, so get rid of your double 8s by splitting and trying for 2 better hands.
- Know when to double down: doubling is about getting more money laid on your hand to win as quickly as possible, but it is not always a great idea. Never double when the dealer is showing an Ace or a 10-point card as it is likely they can beat your hand. However, you should always double if you have a total of 10 or 11, or when the odds are strongly in your favour.
In any online casino game, you should only ever bet with money you can afford to lose and it’s a great idea to have a betting strategy before you go into any online game as it is a way of preparing and organising your play and bankroll.
Bonus and Promotions with Online Blackjack
Online casinos are pretty generous when it comes to letting players get exclusive member bonuses and promotions on a range of casino games. It all starts when you sign up, but a great online casino will offer you rewards for your continued membership, especially if you have an active account.
Welcome Offers: one of the biggest and best bonuses that will come your way as a casino player is the welcome bonus. It’s usually a more than generous matched deposit or no deposit deal that means your bankroll will get off to a hefty start. The matched deposit deal works by the casino asking you to make a deposit and then matching the amount in casino credits, whereas, no deposit deals reward you with a modest amount of casino credits just for signing up. This is done in the hope that once you’ve played a few times, you’ll be well on the way to becoming a loyal casino member. Strict T&Cs are usually attached to both deals so check them before you sign up.
Loyalty Schemes: These are aimed at regular customers and can come in the form of cash backs on deposits, or losses, free spins, casino points which are later exchanged and much more. Good casinos recognise that player loyalty is worth rewarding and that happy players are an asset.
Ongoing Promotions: Online casinos also tend to offer weekly, monthly and event-themed promotions. They may twin the release of a new Blackjack game with a happy hour deal or during the festive season run special Christmas promotions. There’s always something on offer so keep up to date with the promotions page of your casino to make the most of their deals.
Royal Panda Terms And Conditions: 18+, first deposit only. Deposits with Skrill, Paypal, Neteller and Paysafecard not eligible. Casino bonus: min. dep: £10, max. bonus £100. Free spins: Starburst only, no deposit required. Bonus/free spins winnings wagering requirement: x35. Max bonus bet: £5, can vary. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org. Terms & Conditions apply.
How tovPlay Blackjack for Real Money
Ready to play Blackjack for real money stake and prizes? Then you need to find an online casino that mirrors your playing and promotion expectations. Make sure you play at a fully licensed and reputable online casino and enjoy playing online Blackjack.
