Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the classics of casino games and it is hard to imagine an online casino without it. Alongside roulette and poker, blackjack has been an absolute hit long before the first serious online casinos opened. With the great popularity of poker, the card game has slipped to third place among the favourite games. But still, almost everyone knows it. Online casinos have made it possible for everyone to play online around the clock at home. Through mobile casinos, you can now access it on the go.
Blackjack is a special kind of gambling. Here, your experience, skill and the right strategy can be decisive for a win. Over a period of time, you have to develop your own way of playing. Of course, the cards come purely at random. But if you play long enough, you will get the right feeling for when you should hold your hand.
The best casinos offering blackjack
Origin of Blackjack
Blackjack has a history of more than 300 years. The game has constantly evolved into the Blackjack we find in casinos today. In the 17th century, the French card game “Vingt-et-un” was very popular. Translated, it simply means 21 and is, so to speak, a forerunner of today’s game. In Spain, the game “17+4” was already known in the 16th century. The actual origin is therefore not entirely clear.
What is clear is that there were some modifications when the game came to America. In Las Vegas, it was legalised in 1931 and thus began the great success story. The casinos in Las Vegas offered a payout of 10:1 if someone made the 21 points. But you had to have an ace of spades and a jack of clubs or spades. Then the higher prize was paid out. This is how the name Blackjack came about.
In online casinos, the most popular card game has also evolved. Today, there are about 100 different variations, all of which differ a little from each other. But the basic principle of the game always remains the same. So once you have mastered it, you can play different variations.
Blackjack rules
Blackjack is a classic casino game. The object of Blackjack is to reach a value of 21 points with your hand. You must not exceed this value. After you play against the croupier, he can beat you with a higher value.
All face cards (Jack, Queen, King) have the same value of 10 and the number cards 2 to 10 according to their card value. Aces count as either 1 or 11, this is decided by the other cards.
At the beginning of the game, the croupier is dealt one card face down, then he deals the cards to the players. Your cards are dealt face up. So you can see immediately what the value of your hand is. The dealer’s second card is also dealt face up. However, since you do not know his first card, you must decide for yourself what value you can win with.
Blackjack starting cards
Based on the cards you are dealt at the beginning of the game, you have two options to reach the card value of 21. You can either draw another card (“HIT”). There is always a risk that your value will exceed 21. Alternatively, you can choose to play with the two cards (“STAND”).
You can draw more cards until you are satisfied with the total card value. However, you automatically lose as soon as you exceed 21. For the croupier, the rule is that he takes a card until he reaches or exceeds the value of 17.
Blackjack options
During a game round there are different betting options. With them you can increase your winnings or you can lose. You need to know the betting options very well because they are all different. If you know the different Blackjack variants and can play them, it will be easy for you to choose the right game option.
The options in this case are “hit” (draw another card), “stand” (stand still), “surrender” (give up) and “double down” (raise and only one more card). A special option is “split”, where the hand is split and you play with two hands. This only works if both cards have the same value and you adjust your bet so that it is the same for both. The options in a game round can give you a decisive advantage to win.
Blackjack offers a betting option for everyone, is very flexible and attractive to both penny players and high rollers. With the development of online casino games, it is now possible for players to play several hands simultaneously (multi-player blackjack). This makes the game even more exciting.
Advantages of Online Blackjack
Blackjack in the online casino has several advantages. Especially when you compare it to playing in a real casino.
- The times when you had to ask about the opening hours of the nearest casino are over. In the online casino you can play around the clock, whenever you feel like.
- The convenience and accessibility of the online casino is a definite advantage. You no longer have to travel to the casino and there is no dress code. You can simply play from home or on the road. Thanks to modern technology, you can play on your PC or smartphone. The mobile casinos are then conveniently accessible in the mobile browser at any time. Whenever you want and especially wherever you are.
- The best online casinos always offer you a so-called demo mode. This allows you to play without risk and with play money. You can test the game first and get to know it better before you switch to real money mode. You must note that the free games are only possible on the slot machines. In the Live Casino you can only play with real money.When you register at the online casino or make your first deposit, you usually receive an attractive bonus. Your credit balance is increased before you start playing. The bonus is only available online. The casino providers have many exciting bonuses in store for you. Before you use it you should check the bonus conditions to see which Blackjack variants are included. Unfortunately, table games, including blackjack, are often excluded. The house edge is often very low, so you have to fulfil the wagering requirements on other machines. But you can then simply use the bonus on other slots and get to know new games.
- For deposits, you are offered many different options. You can decide for yourself which is most convenient for you. Most deposit options now allow you to deposit in real time, so you can access and play with your funds immediately.
In a blackjack tournament, the prize pool is often higher. In an online casino, there are significantly more participants in such a tournament, which also increases the winnings.
Different Blackjack Games
There are many different variations of blackjack. The online casino providers therefore offer you a whole selection of the classic game. In the past, many people played the card game under the name “17 and 4”. Each variant also has differences or different rules. The best-known variants are:
- European Blackjack
- UK Blackjack
- Spanish Blackjack
- American Blackjack
- Vegas Strip Blackjack
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Duel Blackjack
- Blackjack Switch
- Progressive Blackjack
- Pontoon Blackjack
In addition, you will find many different betting options in the online casino. This way you avoid accidentally playing with a high roller whose stakes exceed your budget. There are always variants or games in which smaller stakes are made. On the other hand, there are also high rollers who want to bet higher amounts. Normally these are separate VIP gaming tables. Because here the stakes per game round quickly rise into the thousands.
Security in Online Blackjack
Online casinos have to fulfill many requirements and are under constant observation by a supervisory authority. The authorities also issue the respective licence to operate a gambling enterprise. Strict guidelines are met for such a licence, including customer safety. Therefore, you can always count on a safe gaming environment with a licensed provider.
Renowned game developers take great care to work with reputable casinos. Most games are streamed directly from their servers. Therefore, you can benefit from the good reputation of the software companies. The casinos have no access to the software and cannot influence the random number generator. As an alternative to the slot games, there are also live casinos with real croupiers.
Live Blackjack in the Online Casino
Live casinos are becoming more and more popular and the offer has grown strongly in recent years. You get the real casino flair and play Blackjack with a real dealer. He deals the cards so that you have the feeling of sitting at a real gaming table. You can watch the dealer hand out the cards and don’t have to rely on the random number generator. Especially if someone doesn’t trust the programmes, it gives you even more security that everything is going right in the game of chance. Here as well are different variations and different limits per table. Always pay attention before you start a Live Blackjack game.
The online casino operators also use gaming providers that guarantee security. The companies are usually specialised in live casinos and therefore offer the highest quality. Among them is usually Evolution Gaming as the largest live casino operator and current market leader. Playtech also offers live casinos, but mainly in Eastern Europe and Asia.