Blackjack games typically use up to eight decks, each with 52 cards. The cards are ranked as follows:

• Number cards are worth the face value, from 2-10
• Face cards (K, Q, J) are worth 10 points
• Aces are worth 1 or 11

Each blackjack round begins with players placing their bets and receiving two cards. The dealer also gets two cards, with only one facing up. Each player must then check both their cards and decide on which of the decisions below to make:

• Place bet
• Receive cards
• Check the dealer’s UP card and decide to Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, or place any side bet.
• Check the round result and bet on the next round.

Let’s expand on that.

• Hit: If you think your hand is weak and the risk of going above 21 when you get another card is still low, you can get an extra card. If your extra card takes you above 21, it’s called a Bust, and you lose.
• Stand: If you’re happy with your cards, you can choose to stick to them. The dealer then moves to the next player. At blackjack casino sites, players usually make decisions simultaneously, so you’ll know the game outcome soon after standing.
• Double Down: You can double your initial bet and get an extra card.
• Split: You can place a second bet, and the dealer splits your two cards, so you then get more cards to create two separate hands with.

You’ll also come across a wide variety of side bets, but the ones below are the most popular:

• Surrender: When it’s apparent that the dealer may have a stronger hand than yours and hitting is not an option, you can choose to surrender and get half your initial stake back.
• Insurance: Insurance bets allow you to win 2:1 if the dealer gets blackjack. Players usually take this route if the dealer’s UP card is an ace, and there’s a decent chance of a blackjack.

Popular Online Blackjack Games

Online casino blackjack sites have multiple versions of the basic game, each with various tweaks that allow for bigger payouts and new strategies. Here are some of the most popular blackjack games.

American Blackjack

The best high-stakes blackjack casino sites almost always have the classic or American Blackjack version, which is also the most popular and preferred. Classic Blackjack players simply attempt to create a hand with a value as close as possible to the number 21 but without going over.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack differs from the classic variant mainly in how the cards are dealt. In American Blackjack, the dealer and each player receive two cards—face up and face down. In European Blackjack, however, players start by getting one card face up.

Super 7 Blackjack

Super 7 Blackjack shares the same rules as the classic game but has a potentially high-paying side bet called the Super 7. To win from this optional bet, the first cards are a 7. If only one hand out of three has a 7, you get a 3:1 payout. Two 7s pay 50:1, and three 7s pay 100:1. If the three 7s are of the same suit, you get a $5,000 jackpot.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack

Here, you will find rules and gameplay similar to Classic Blackjack’s. However, at the start of a game, you can make a side bet on whether or not you’ll get same-value cards. Players get a 5:1 payout for the same value, 10:1 for the same value, same color, but different suits, and 30:1 for “perfect pairs.”

Single Deck Blackjack

Instead of 6 to 8 decks of cards, Single Deck Blackjack is played with just one deck, as the name suggests. Naturally, this makes card counting a lot easier for players big on that blackjack strategy. That’s especially true if that particular strategy is used together with a blackjack chart.

Multi-Deck Blackjack

This is the direct opposite of Single-Deck Blackjack and features a “shoe” that holds two to eight card decks. Many blackjack casino sites typically offer better odds with multiple decks at play. As such, players often get a 3:2 payout instead of 6:5.

Playing Live Dealer Blackjack Online

Live online blackjack aims to bring the brick-and-mortar online casino experience right to your doorstep via your PC or mobile device. By playing live blackjack, you can experience the pleasure of playing against a live dealer.

Using state-of-the-art technology, live casino games are typically streamed in real-time from land-based casino floors or studios. Watching the cards being dealt one by one adds a lot of zing to your online blackjack gaming experience.

Free Blackjack Games vs Real Money Blackjack

Because mastering the game takes time, you may want to play for free before spending real money at real-money blackjack casino sites. Free blackjack casinos allow players to try different games in demo mode.

So, instead of real money, you use virtual chips. You don’t get the same rollercoaster of winning and losing, but you get to understand how different decisions affect the game outcome. The table below summarizes the differences between free and real-money blackjack.

Understanding Blackjack Odds and Payouts

Your winning probability if you play online blackjack optimally is usually around 42%. Around 49% odds are for a tie, and you have an 8.48% chance of losing. The payouts for the different outcomes, including side bets, are summarized in the table below:

Tips & Strategies for Playing Online Blackjack

At first glance, online blackjack seems like a very simple game. Yes, you only need to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a complex and thought-provoking game underneath. The following blackjack strategies allow you to maximize their wins and minimize losses.

• Avoid side bets: The massive potential payouts may look appealing, but the probabilities aren’t that good. You’re better off sticking to the base blackjack game than dabbling with side bets.
• Don’t try to count cards: If you’re a blackjack beginner, you may underestimate the complexity of card counting. If you’re playing single-deck blackjack, you’re likely getting low payouts in any case.
• Play in 3:2 tables: Check whether a game pays out at 3:2 or 6:5. Playing at a 6:5 table will result in a £24 win from £20, when a similar bet playing at a 3:2 table would win £30.
• Play free blackjack: Playing in demo mode or at the best low-stakes blackjack casino sites allows you to learn without pressure to avoid big financial losses. You can also claim different bonuses to limit your exposure.
• Choose the best casino sites for blackjack: Your casino choice massively affects the quality of your gaming experience. Go with any one of our recommended sites, and you’ve made a big stride towards better outcomes.

Online vs Offline Blackjack Games

If you’ve ever interacted with a veteran blackjack player, then you may have had the land-based vs online blackjack debate. Some players insist that even the best online blackjack casinos can’t offer the same gaming experience as you’d get at a land-based casino. We beg to differ.

We’ve experienced both sides of the coin and couldn’t disagree more with this rather all-encompassing statement. Granted, when you’re in Vegas, you can take in loads of exciting smells, sounds, and characters while you split, hit, and double down. You can even do it over a complimentary drink.

However, the brick-and-mortar casino atmosphere is a distraction to some players. Players who enjoy an occasional cocktail or glass of whiskey as they play may even sacrifice their bankroll by tipping the hostess. At the end of the day, the aim of playing blackjack is to beat the dealer. We think playing at our recommended online casinos is just as exciting—but each to their own.

How to Sign Up and Play Online Blackjack

You must first sign up before you can play at blackjack casino sites. The process typically takes less than a minute using the steps below:

Step 1: Register with Blackjack Casino

Choose any one of our top blackjack casino sites, click on the official homepage, then tap “Sign Up” or “Join Now.” You then have to enter your details in the registration form. You’ll usually receive a verification link to the email you provided during registration. Tap the link to complete verification.

Step 2: Make Your First Deposit

Visit the cashier section, select a deposit method, and make your first deposit.

Step 3: Claim Bonus

The deposit process usually includes an option to claim your welcome bonus, which can also include entering a promo code.

Step 4: Play Blackjack

Now that your account is up and running, you can explore the different blackjack games and start playing.

Online Blackjack Terms

Blackjack casino sites feature words and jargon that every player must know. Here are some of the terms to understand:

• Blackjack: A win featuring an Ace and a 10, K, J, Q, or K.
• Up Card: The card you get facing up, or the dealer’s card you can see before playing your hand.
• Multi-deck: Blackjack games with 4-8 decks instead of a single deck of cards.
• House Edge: The extra probability the house wins in each game.
• Hit: Request another card to get a better hand.
• Stand: Stick with the cards you currently have.
• Double down: Double your stake and get an extra card.
• Split: Get the dealer to give you two more cards so you can create two separate hands from your current hand.

Playing Real Money Blackjack on Mobile Casinos

Mobile devices are now becoming more powerful and allow players to access blackjack sites and enjoy an excellent gaming experience while on the move. You can download an Android or iOS app or play using the mobile website to get the best of everything.

The best blackjack casinos optimize game screens and controls to fit on smaller screens, so you see all the action and remain firmly in control of what happens next. Players can access pretty much all the game features and bonuses, so there’s everything to like.

Play at the Best Blackjack Casino for Real Money

Because the rules and different strategies are simple to master, Blackjack is one of the easiest card games you can play. The best blackjack online casino sites generally have a low 0.5% house edge, making gaming more favorable than other games.

Our recommended online blackjack sites have numerous variants, including live dealer games. Pair the real money blackjack games with generous bonuses, flexible table limits, and mobile compatibility, and you get excellent deals. You can sign up with our best casino, Coin Poker, today, claim a bonus, and start playing blackjack online for pennies on the dollar.

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