Popular since the 18th Century, Blackjack is a staple in every casino, whether it is a brick and mortar casino or an online platform. Thanks to modern technology, online casinos have made online Blackjack accessible for anyone. With its simple rules, and various betting limits to suit all pockets, everyone can play Blackjack online. In this article, we will go over some basic online Blackjack rules and we will provide you with a list of the best casinos who offer thrilling online Blackjack and Live Blackjack games.
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Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes first mentions this game in the 18th Century, where it was known as the game of ’21’. In France, a similar game was popular in the elegant saloons, until it was eventually spread by French colonists throughout North America. In 1931, the Nevada casino came up with a special payout to attract more players to sit at the tables of the game of 21. Anyone, who achieved 21 through an Ace and a Blackjack received ten times their bets, thus giving it the name of Blackjack.
It has since achieved incredible popularity and there is no land-based casino who does not offer at least a handful of tables of Blackjack. With the rise of online casinos, Blackjack was adapted for the virtual world with most casinos offering multiple online Blackjack games which vary from Virtual (RNG) Blackjack to Live Blackjack. The rules of the games are the same as are the odds and the payouts, enabling Indian players to enjoy this much-loved games either from their desktop or smartphone.
Virtual Blackjack is a computerized version of the game. Designed similarly to other computer card games, the game is linked to a Random Number Generator (RNG) computer which has been programmed with the rules and odds of Blackjack. Through animation, players can still see the cards being dealt but there is no croupier managing the table and each player sits at the game on his own. Virtual Blackjack comes with two different modes: play for real money mode and play for fun. The latter is a demo version that allows players to play with fake money. The former is the real deal and players must place real money bets to play.
Live Blackjack is the opposite of virtual Blackjack. Live Blackjack is the real deal but experienced online. Just like in a real brick and mortar casino there is a Blackjack table and a live dealer which deals the cards. The table is set in a specially designed studio that resembles an actual casino in everything. Cameras are set up in front of each table with the purpose of live streaming everything to each player’s home in high definition. The rules of the game are the same unless a different variant is played. Live Blackjack tables come with different betting limits offering something to all kinds of players regardless of their budget.
Most online casinos offer numerous Blackjack games where the player plays against the computer. A number of varieties are usually also available like European Blackjack, Classic Blackjack, and Atlantic City Blackjack.
Furthermore, as we have already mentioned, online casinos offer the possibility to play Blackjack online free. This is an excellent way for players to get familiar with the rules and practice some strategy techniques.
This version of online Blackjack is perhaps the most innovative as it consists of live dealers in a real casino set up, streamed live in real-time. A player can place bets, choose which actions to take, chat with the live dealer, all of it in real-time. This type of Live Blackjack delivers a more authentic experience to the comforts of your home. What’s more, you can find many interesting and innovative versions of Blackjack like:
The preferred choice of many players, online Blackjack offers a modicum of control over chance. The purpose of the game is to get as close as possible to 21, and it affords certain decisions from the players that might change the outcome of the game.
Furthermore, it is very important for each player to keep in mind that playing Blackjack, means playing against the dealer. It doesn’t really matter if there are 6 players at the table, each one is playing solely against the dealer.
The game is carried out with a standard deck of 52 cards being dealt one by one from a shoe that is manned by the dealer. Depending on which variant of online Blackjack you are playing, there could be up to 8 decks in use at once.
Just like any other card game, online Blackjack comes with its very own rules. In this case, the rules are based on moves that the player needs to undertake for the next part of the game after the sorting of the cards. The value of the cards will determine your next move in the game; thus, it is essential to know what they count for:
Apart from the value of the cards, it is also important to learn some of the basic terminology associated with Blackjack and which often describe the kind of action you can take:
To play Blackjack online, it is best to understand the rules of the dealer. The house might have the advantage, however, all dealers have a set of rules that they must follow to the letter.
Dealer rules are predictable; thus, a good strategist might want to take them into account when choosing his gameplay.
The variant of online Blackjack you choose to play will determine how many decks of cards are used in the game. Most online Blackjack games are played with 8 decks simultaneously, although you can find variants that use fewer decks and even some which use a single deck.
The number of decks in use influences the house edge. A game with a single deck has a lower house edge than one with eight decks as we shall see down below.
Number of Decks | House Advantage |
Single Deck | 0.17% |
Double Deck | 0.46% |
Four Decks | 0.60% |
Six Decks | 0.64% |
Eight Decks | 0.66% |
If you search online you will find many charts that delineate the kind of action to take appropriately. Thus below we have included our own chart which clearly shows what kind of action is recommended depending on the cards you’ve been dealt. The below chart can be consulted when playing online Blackjack games that use up to 8 decks of cards and follow the normal Blackjack rules.
When it comes to playing Blackjack online, it is important to have at least some basic strategy. If you search online, you will find hundreds of websites and strategy charts which you can print and take with you to the casino. These charts were based on computer simulations which explored millions of hand combinations. The results enabled players to make the right moves depending on the hand they got, maintaining the favour on their side. There are of course other rules that determine Blackjack action, however, we shall leave those for our article about how to play Blackjack.
Blackjack side bets are offered by various providers and they create additional excitement in the game. Side bets are separate wagers that have nothing to do with the main bets and take place during those few seconds before each round. There are various types of Blackjack side bets and each one is made for a particular reason. The Insurance is a type of side bet as we explained further up in this guide and it is placed when it is believed that the dealer has a Blackjack
Another type of side bet is known as the 21+3. Adopted from Poker this side bet is a wager over a number of scenarios: Suited Trips (3 cards bearing an identical triplet), Straight Flush (cards bearing the numeric sequence of the same suit), Three of a Kind (different suit, same value cards), Straight (numeric sequence but different suit), and Flush (cards are all from the same suit).
Card counting is a technique applied by the most experienced of Blackjack players. This technique involves counting the cards that are being dealt both to the players and the dealer in an attempt to know when the advantage shifts in their favour. This technique gives them a positive advantage over the house because now they can increase their bet if it is in their favour, or else make a smaller bet or no bet at all if they recognize that they are at a disadvantage.
Card counting is not a difficult technique to learn, however, it requires practice before it can be used effectively. Card counting starts with the mathematical proof that high-value cards benefit the player more than the dealer. We know that once the cards are shuffled there is an equal number of high and low cards. However, this will change the moment the cards are dealt. This is where card counting is applied. Let us make a few examples:
At this point, we have to mention that casinos often forbid card counting at their premises and might even blacklist players who are caught in the act. Furthermore, it is very difficult to use card counting when playing online especially when playing virtual Blackjack, which is totally based on a computer algorithm.
Playing online Blackjack as opposed to visiting a land-based casino, comes with many advantages. For one, playing online Blackjack means there are more Blackjack options to choose from than at a physical casino. You can play classic versions of the game or else go for a variant that incorporates an exciting twist in the gameplay.
Furthermore, providers, both for virtual Blackjack and Live Blackjack, offer multiple tables with different betting options. Players on a budget could sit at a table that offered an affordable betting range, while high-rollers could join a VIP Blackjack table that accepts only large bets.
But these are only a few of the advantages that come with playing online Blackjack. Below we are going to go into further detail about some of the benefits that come with playing online Blackjack.
Playing online Blackjack is not only flexible but also convenient. Now there is no need to travel hundreds of miles for a few rounds of Blackjack, instead, you can settle comfortably anywhere you might be, log into your account and start playing your favourite Blackjack game, regardless what time it is.
This is certainly something that you do only when playing online! While playing at your favourite casinos you can join multiple Blackjack tables all at once. They don’t necessarily have to be of the same variant, but you can choose different Blackjack games depending what you feel like.
Since Blackjack is such a popular game, online casinos often include it in their promotions. Thus, let’s take a look at what the best casinos have to offer for online Blackjack players;
Since Blackjack is known as the game of ‘21’, Royal Panda casino is holding a special promotion on the 21st of every month. Play Live Blackjack or Live Blackjack VIP, and if you get a Blackjack you enter a random draw with the chance to win one of three prizes of £210 each in cash. So, what are you waiting for? Mark it on your calendar for the next 21st of the month.
Live Casino games have become increasingly popular, especially amongst Indian players. That is why these days, online casinos India offer a Live Casino bonus, both as a welcome offer and as a regular promotion for Live Casino enthusiasts. These bonuses are a great way for Live Blackjack players to play their favourite game for free while still having the opportunity to win real money.
As we said at the beginning of this article Blackjack is a staple of casinos, thus it is one of the most in-demand games amongst the online casinos, who have made it their business to come up with variety and options for their players. Below are some of the Blackjack variants you can enjoy while playing with an online casino
Classic Blackjack is the original version fo the game and it is also known simply as Blackjack. There is no land-based or online casino that does not offer Classic Blackjack. The rules of the game are fairly simple and as long as you have an idea of the basic rules, you can join and have fun.
Spanish 21 or as it is also known Spanish Blackjack, saw its origins in the mid-1900s, although some argue that a similar version of this variant was played as far back as the 15th century. The game is played with standard decks of cards but with all 10 value cards removed. The concept of classic Blackjack applies and the cards still hold the same value. However, there are some minor differences in the rules that might vary from casino to casino.
As the name suggests this Blackjack variant allows to switch cards if you are dealt a weak hand. In Blackjack Switch, players are dealt two hands instead of one. After you’ve had time to review the hands you have, you can swap the second card of each hand. To be able to do this you have to place two bets, one for each hand.
Infinite Blackjack is one of those Blackjack variants with a twist. One thing that sets it apart from other Blackjack variants, is the unlimited number of seats attached to this table. Moreover, each player receives the same exact cards and it is up to each and every individual player to react to their cards and make the next move.
Free Bet Blackjack is perhaps one of the most recent versions of Blackjack. Invented by the same person who gave us Infinite Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack requires players to only place the initial bet. There is no need to place additional bets to split or double down, as these are actions that can be undertaken for free.
The legality of gambling in India is a slightly complicated matter as most of the country deems this activity as illegal, with the exception of Goa and Sikkim. On the other hand, current legislation does not cater to online gambling at all, leaving players free to join an online casino operating offshore. Players are, thus, free to play online Blackjack and the many variants.
Virtual Blackjack games are linked to an RNG computer which determines the result of the game without human interference. It is still important, however, to choose a casino with a license, which features games by well-known providers whose reputation have been built on the authenticity and fairness of their games. Furthermore, the best game providers would also have achieved a license from a gambling jurisdiction, which would regulate them on a regular basis. The providers themselves ensure that their RNG computers are always functioning appropriately and might even hire auditing companies for independent evaluation.
With regards to Live Blackjack, it is very difficult for the dealer to rig the game, especially since a number of cameras film every little movement with players watching attentively as the game progresses. It is always advisable to play with operators who are not only licensed but have an excellent reputation in a number of markets.
Playing with an online casino also means that you can play free online Blackjack. Most virtual Blackjack games offer players the opportunity to play either for real money or for fun. The play for fun mode is a demo that enables players to play with fake money. This is a great option for beginners who are still getting used to the game and are still testing their strategies.
Regretfully, the same thing cannot be done for Live Blackjack. Live dealer games require an actual person to man the table and given the limited resources, including a demo option is not possible. However, players who prefer Live Blackjack can find tables that require only a very small bet to join making it possible to enjoy this popular game without breaking the bank.
To win Blackjack online it is important to understand the rules that govern the game. Once you do, you have a better chance of beating the dealer if you have a strategy in place. There are hundreds of strategies online, but what counts is the one that works best for you. It is ideal if you could play the demo version so as to practice your technique before you play for real money.
Blackjack is such a popular game that no respectable online casino will ever exclude it from its repertoire of games. Most online casinos offer a variety of RNG Blackjack or Live Blackjack. It is up to each player to choose the online casino, although we recommend choosing a secure casino that has a license from a reputable gambling jurisdiction.
Online Blackjack is played following the standard Blackjack rules, and the aim is always to beat the dealer by getting a score that is close or equal to 21 without going over. However, there are multiple online Blackjack variants these days, which differ when it comes to the number of decks, types of side bets and other rules.
Virtual blackjack outcomes are determined by a computer program that is programmed fairly to generate cards at random, whereas Live Blackjack is managed transparently by a live dealer who you can watch in real-time. All of this makes online Blackjack very fair.