Top Blackjack Casinos

All the casinos you see above are a great choice if you want to play blackjack online. However, it does not mean you should blindly follow our review. Keep in mind that these sites are our subjective picks. And while they will probably suit you perfectly, you can also try finding the blackjack casino on your own. For that, though, you need to consider several things:

The aim of the game is very simple – you need to beat the dealer. With the cards provided, you need to get to 21 or as close to 21 as you can possibly get. All picture cards are worth 10 points, while the Ace can be used as 1 or an 11. The Ace is one of the most powerful cards of the game as it has the ability to draw a blackjack, but more on that later. The following is a walkthrough of a hand to get you acquainted with the game. First, a bet is placed to get the action going, and right after, two cards are dealt, face-up, to every player. The dealer will also deal two cards to themselves, with the exception of one card being visible to all players. This will help players formulate the strategy needed around that card. Once the cards are dealt, players have a couple of options to make, and these are:

• Stand: This is when the player is happy with the hand and decides not to take any additional cards.
• Hit: When a player needs another card. Players have the option to be dealt additional cards until they are satisfied with the hand.

When a player exceeds 21, the hand ends there, and in blackjack terminology, it is referred to as a bust. The bet is lost, and players will need to wait for the other players to finish their hands before another round commences.

Here is where it gets interesting. When it is the dealers’ turn to reveal their card to make a hand, he will need to keep hitting until he reaches 17, which essentially means that the dealer will need to keep dealing cards to himself until his hand totals 17 or more. When a player or the dealer is dealt a face card (10) and an Ace, the hand automatically ends there, and this is referred to as blackjack and is paid 1.5x the original stake. For instance, if you place a £10 bet and are dealt a blackjack, you will immediately be paid £15 without having to do anything else.

As you can see, the rules of blackjack are plain and simple. However, if you are new to the game, you are probably wondering how to know your hand has reached the required 21. For that, you need to know the exact value each card represents. Here is a quick rundown:

• Cards from 2 to 10: Cards 2-10 are worth their numerical value in blackjack. For example, 5 is worth 5 points, 7 is worth 7, etc.
• Jack or Queen: Both Jack and Queen are worth 10 points.
• King: Just like Jack and Queen, King is also worth 10.
• Ace: As mentioned before, Ace can be worth 1 or 11 in blackjack.

When you play online blackjack, it is vital to be familiar with the terminology used. Especially since online blackjack is a very fast-paced game. The following terms are some of the most commonly used terms in the game and will significantly improve your overall blackjack experience. What is more, they will help you understand better what is going on at the table, improving your chances of winning more money. Here are some of the basic terms you have to understand to play online casino blackjack:

Doubling Down

A blackjack player has the option to double down by placing an additional bet depending on the drawn hand. This betting strategy can be used to the players’ advantage in certain situations. There is a catch, though. A player is not allowed to perform this only if their hand does not exceed two cards.

Face Cards

These are essentially picture cards, each of which is worth 10 points. Face cards are very powerful, and 12 of these can be found in each deck – Jacks, Queens, and Kings.

Hole Card

This is the first card which the dealer deals to himself, and it’s the one that is kept face down till the end of the hand.

Insurance (Bet)

An insurance bet is available to be placed when the dealer is dealt an Ace as the card, which is face up. The purpose of this bet is to safeguard the player in the event that the dealer has drawn a blackjack. If the insurance bet is taken and it turns out that the dealer does have a blackjack, the player will win double the insurance bet.

Push

A push occurs when both the player and the dealer have the same number of points. In this case, the initial bet is returned to the player and treated as a draw.

Soft Hand

If you have played online blackjack before, you might have heard the term. A soft hand occurs when an Ace is one of the cards that is dealt in the hand. For example, if a player is dealt A + 6, the total value of the hand can be a 7 or a soft 16. The only reason it is called a soft 16 is that the Ace gives the player the flexibility to choose the total value of the hand.

Hard Hand

A hard hand is referred to as a hand that can be only worth one value or a hand with a high value where any Ace can only be worth 1. In other words, it is the opposite of a soft hand, as you do not have the flexibility to choose the total value of your hand.

Split

When a pair is dealt, the player has the option to split the hand. It means exactly what you think it means – the pair can be split in two, creating the luxury of having two hands. It is not always wise to split pairs, but we will delve into the best cards to split in more detail into the blackjack strategies later on in this guide.

Standing Hand

When a 17 is drawn, it is considered to be a standing hand since the dealer needs to keep hitting until they reach 17.

Surrender

The player has the option to surrender in online blackjack. When the player folds, depending on house rules, the player will get a portion of the initial bet back. However, you cannot perform it after any other action. You can only ‘surrender’ after receiving your cards at the start.

Natural

By natural, we understand a hand that does not require any action to be worth 21. It only contains two cards and is unbeatable.

Once you understand the rules and terms, you will get a grasp on how to create your basic gameplay strategy. It might take a while, but remember that practice makes perfect. For that, we recommend reading various guides and playing free blackjack first. However, once you start feeling more confident, it is time for you to win some money. For that, though, you need to create your betting strategy. When it comes to blackjack online, you have several possibilities you can place your bets:

• Martingale: This strategy is pretty simple – you double your bet after every loss. Yes, it does sound crazy and incredibly risky, but trust us. There is no better feeling than getting back on your feet with one big win.
• Fibonacci: Based on the famous Fibonacci sequence, this system uses similar rules to Martingale while being less aggressive. In short, your bets progress according to sequence every time you lose but remain the same as you win. Here is how the Fibonacci sequence looks like: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on.
• Parlay: Parlay is a positive progression system. The idea behind Parlay is to create a pyramid of winnings. In other words, if you win, you bet the winnings and original amount. However, if you lose, you only bet the original amount.
• 1-3-2-6: The rule in 1-3-2-6 is straightforward – you bet 1, 3, 2, 6 units consequently in case of a win. Once you lose, you get back to the 1.
• d’Alembert: Similarly to Martingale, you raise your bet after loss in d’Alembert. There is a difference, though. You do no to double your bet, but merely raise it by 1 unit. Then, when you win, you lower the bet by 1 unit.

Creating the right strategy will definitely help you win when playing online blackjack. However, if you want to win big sums, you also need to learn how to play smartly. For that, we have prepared you a set of some useful tips you can use to improve your odds, avoid errors, and help you get the most out of your strategy.

• Manage your bankroll: First and foremost, do not lose control over your bankroll. Bet only money you know you can afford to lose and keep track of your expenses. Doing that will not only prevent you from making mistakes but will also help you adjust your betting strategy accordingly to your bankroll.
• Avoid progressive betting strategies: And speaking of betting systems, we do not recommend using progressive strategies. Sure, they can win you a lot of money in a short time, but in the long run, there is no place for them in blackjack, especially if your bankroll is not overly extensive.
• Learn basic card counting system: Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a mathematical genius to count cards in blackjack. And while it is a skill that requires some practice, you will soon realize how useful it is once you learn the basics. By counting cards, you will be able to calculate the cards in the shoe and the probability of them landing on the table, allowing you to make much smarter bets.
• Understand house edge: There is a famous saying that the casino always wins. And while it does not have to be the case, it is true that all casino games are designed to improve a casino’s chances of winning. For instance, blackjack has a house edge of 2-3%, meaning that a casino is likely to win by a margin of 2-3% with time. The higher the house edge, the lower your chances of winning, but the higher the price.

With the growing popularity of online gambling, casino sites do everything they can to attract more players. As of today, there are over 100 variations of blackjack games available online. And while every single one of them has the same goal – beat the dealer – their rules, house edge, and bets differ. With that in mind, depending on the game you want to play online, you will need to adjust your strategies accordingly. Also, some of those variations may seem much more attractive for you to try. Here are the top options you can consider when playing blackjack for real money:

In this version of online blackjack, the dealer uses 2-8 decks, reshuffling them after each round. The payouts are 3:2, with players being able to double down on totals of 9-11. The most significant change compared to the traditional variant is that in European Blackjack, the dealer is dealt only one card face up and draws only after all players have completed their hand. If the dealer gets an Ace, the players can double down or split before the dealer is dealt the second card. As you can see, this variation favors the dealer, making European Blackjack much less appealing, especially to the inexperienced players.

American Blackjack is very similar to the European one, with a few exceptions. The shoe consists of 6-8 decks, with the dealer shuffling after each round. Just like in most blackjack games, both players’ cards lie face-up, with the dealer keeping one of their cards face down. The first difference is that the dealer must draw on 16 but stand on 17. The second, and most significant one, is that players have full flexibility on their side bets. You can double down or surrender on any hand, giving you more freedom in choosing the right betting strategy.

The popularity of live dealer games has increased significantly over the past few years. Playing live dealer blackjack online is the closest one can get to the real casino experience, as you can see an actual dealer who deals the cards via high-quality live stream. In most cases, live dealer games of blackjack are played using 4-8 decks, with the dealer shuffling the shoe after the cut card has been revealed (usually 2/3rds of the way through the shoe). Doing that reduces the number of reshuffles, decreasing the house edge.

Atlantic City Blackjack is probably the most popular variation of the game among online casino players. It has the lowest house edge, and its rules are the simplest to follow. In this version of blackjack, the dealer uses 8 decks and stands on 17. However, since it is a hole card game, the dealer can check for blackjack if they hold an Ace or 10 in their hand. When it comes to side bets, players can split and double down whenever they like, with late surrenders also available.

Pontoon is probably one of the strangest online blackjack games around. Unlike in other variations, the dealer does not need to place one of their cards face-up and cannot look at them until the end of each round. Pontoon also uses different terms, as players can twist (hit), stick (stand), or buy (double down). A player is allowed to twist if their hand is 14 or less. However, they can also twist after a buy and get paid 2:1 with a five-hand card worth 21 or less (5 Card Trick). In case of a tie, Pontoon favors the dealer.

Taking advantage of bonuses and promotions is a great way to improve your overall gaming experience. In many cases, you will be able to play blackjack online without even spending a single penny, whereas other promotions will allow you to double your winnings. When it comes to the most popular blackjack casino bonuses, we can include:

• Traditional welcome bonus (non-deposit or deposit),
• Match bonus (casino will match your deposit)
• VIP bonus and ongoing promotions

However, keep in mind that it all depends on an online casino. The best way to ensure you are entitled to any form of offer is to read the terms & conditions carefully. There, you will find all the requirements you need to meet in order to get the bonus. All of the online casinos we mentioned in our list offer great bonuses, so be sure to check them out if you are looking for a great way to make your blackjack games even more exciting.

Whether you want to play blackjack for real money or just for practice, here at Betsquare, we have got you covered. We know everything about the world of online gambling, and all of the casinos we recommend have to go through a thorough analysis. All of our guides and reviews are written by professionals who know their trade. That way, we can provide our users only with top-quality information and advice they need to improve their online casino experience.