Thanks to films like 21 and Rain Man, blackjack has a reputation as a complicated game that requires a mathematical genius to crack it.
The good news for you is that, unless you’re planning on cultivating some dodgy playing tactics, it’s an easy game to learn, and your maths skills needn’t extend beyond the ability to count to 21.
Discover the thrill of online blackjack, where strategy and luck intertwine for a chance to beat the dealer and win big! Join the action-packed world of this classic casino game from the comfort of your home and experience the excitement of 21 at your fingertips. Are you ready to take on the challenge and claim victory in the ultimate battle of cards? Try online blackjack now!
The setup is simple: place your bets before gameplay starts; once done, each player is dealt out two cards, face up, the dealer retains two cards but only turns over one. Based on the number total of your cards – and how close to 21 that total is – and the rank of the dealer’s exposed card, you need to decide whether to hit or stay. If you have a low total, you can request another card by clicking hit, or if you’re on a higher total, anything from 14 upwards, you can choose to stay. If you choose the hit option and the total remains low – eg, you started out with an ace and a 2 and you were dealt another 2, then you have the option to click hit again and be dealt a fourth card. This is risky but it sometimes pays off. Once everyone has clicked stay the dealer will then turn over their second card. When all is revealed, whoever is closest to 21 wins the pot.
There are myriad blackjack strategies you can employ, but don’t feel pressured into learning them before you’ve mastered the basics.
Beyond the basic rules, online casinos and game providers have opened up a world of ingenuity for blackjack variations – here are some of the most common ones.
They say that variety is the spice of life, in which case blackjack must be a jalapeño, because the variations are seemingly endless! The first variations are the rules: same game but the odds are different depending on which rule you’re playing with. These rule variations can also be combined in many ways. Next we have the standard variations: Vegas Strip, Atlantic City and European. These versions are named for the places in which they are played. Finally, we have online casino variations: these are games based on blackjack that have been designed by game providers specifically for online gambling, including games like Perfect Pairs, Progressive Blackjack, Double Exposure, and Blackjack Switch.
Game | Provider | Variant | RTP | Why we like it |
Double Exposure Blackjack MH | Play’nGO | Double exposure | 99.04% | This game is fast paced with the added advantage of being able to see both of the dealer’s cards. It has an incredibly high RTP of 99.04%, and with those odds what’s not to love? |
American Blackjack | American | 96% | The graphics are phenomenal! This combined with the accurate sound effects and music help make it a fully immersive experience; a great game for those who want the casino experience while at home. | |
21 Burn Blackjack | Betsoft | European | 99.52% | The gameplay is superb and the graphics are fantastic. The main draw of this game is the burn option. This means that if you don’t like one of your cards you have the option to burn it and get another card. You can burn a total of two cards per hand, and who doesn’t love a second chance? |
If you’re someone who is low on time or just enjoys a fast-paced game, blackjack is ideal for you; the gameplay is quick and each round only lasts a couple of minutes.
If you’re new to table games this is also a great game for you; the rules are easy to learn and you can get up and running within minutes. Many online casinos also offer free demos of their games and so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get your eye in.
