Blackjack Online — Rules and Best Blackjack Casinos in 2024

Although it is emphasized that the game of blackjack does not require knowledge of mathematics, at the same time, keep in mind that it is almost impossible to win the game of blackjack by chance.

The gameplay requires special knowledge, skills, and player input. It may be considered one of the easiest card games, but you should definitely not rely on luck alone.

Blackjack rules in brief:

• An ace is worth 1 or 11, whichever is more beneficial to the player.
• During the game, the player can take the next card, keep the current one, double the bet and take another card, or play with two hands and split the move in two.
  
• If the sum of the player's card values exceeds 21, the game is automatically lost, regardless of what cards the dealer has.
  
• The dealer must take a card at the amount of 16 and hold at 17.
  

The Purpose of the Game

Blackjack is played against the dealer. In the basic rules of blackjack, the task is to collect a combination of cards that add up to 21. Any player with a total of more than 21 is out of the game. In order to beat the dealer, it is not necessary to create a combination that makes 21 – you can also collect a lower number of points if the dealer has a lower number.

Card Designations

Cards such as Rook, Queen, and King are worth 10 points. An ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on which value is more beneficial to the player at that moment. The value of the remaining cards is equal to their numerical value, for example, three of spades will give you 3 points and 3 such cards will give you 9 points. Card suits do not affect their value in any way.

Moves in Blackjack

Like any game, blackjack also has its own rules that players follow during the game:

Have you ever wanted to try your luck at the casino? Have you been dreaming of the perfect combination? While there are no guarantees, with a little advice and practice, you can become a winner… if you play your cards right and follow the rules of blackjack.

• Learn the basics of the game! Before you start playing this game, you need to know the basics. Explore our entire site to learn about the different aspects of the blackjack.
• Always double if your first two cards total 11 and always split aces and eights…remember you are betting on 10.
  
• Be sure to sign up for any rewards program offered by the casino. Casinos award points for how long you play and how much money you spend, but not for how much you win, so if you don’t claim prizes, you’re literally leaving money on the table.
  
• Learn to get up and walk away early: This is important, especially if you are in the beginning or middle of a losing streak. By continuing, there is a chance of losing more than you probably should. Quitting also works if you’re ahead – at least you’ll be able to keep your winnings and not lose it all later.
  
• If the dealer’s top card is an ace, you will be offered blackjack insurance. Accept this and you won’t lose your bet if the dealer turns out to have Blackjack (when he hits 21 with two cards).
  
• While side bets are always fun in casino table games, they are not a step forward. This is also the case with blackjack, which is why any basic strategy for this game recommends not side-betting squares like Perfect Pairs or 21+3.
  

Despite the obvious strategic element, the game of blackjack mainly depends on the luck factor. However, if you really want to win at blackjack, then we encourage you to use the following best blackjack strategies listed below. Follow these blackjack rules and win!

When to Surrender?

• Go with a hard 16, but never with an 8 pair against the dealer’s 9, 10, or ace.
• Fold with a hard 15 against the dealer’s 10.
  

When to Split?

• Split your Aces and 8s.
• Do not split 5 and 10.
  
• Split 2 and 3 against the dealer’s 4, 5, 6 or 7.
  
• Split a 6 against the dealer’s 3, 4, 5 or 6.
  
• Split a 7 against the dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
  
• Split the 9 against the dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8, 9, but not against the 7.
  

There are some minor adjustments to this blackjack betting strategy. If doubling after the split is allowed, you’ll consider some other moves, such as:

• Split 2 and 3 against the dealer’s 2 and 3.
• Split the 6 to the dealer’s 2.
  
• Split 4 to the dealer’s 2.
  

When to Double?

• Double down if you have a hard 9 against the dealer’s 3, 4, 5 or 6.
• Double down if you have a hard 10, except against the dealer’s 10 or an ace.
  
• Double down if you have a hard 11, except against the dealer’s ace.
  
• Double down if you have a soft 13 or 14 against the dealer’s 5 or 6.
  
• Double down if you have a soft 15 or 16 against the dealer’s 4 or 6.
  
• Double down if you have a soft 17 to 18 against the dealer’s 3 or 6.
  

Take Another Card or No Cards

• Take another card if you have a hard 11 or less.
• Don’t take another card against the dealer’s 4, 5 or 6, but otherwise, take.
  
• Don’t take another card against the dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, but otherwise take.
  
• Don’t take another card if you have a hard 17 or higher.
  
• Don’t take another card if you have a soft 18, but take the dealer’s 9, 10 and ace.
  
• Do not take another card if you have a soft 19 or higher.
  

When the allure of Blackjack is strong, but chips are scarce, or lack of knowledge is a barrier, consider the advantages of free casino game solutions. The vast global web is home to countless Blackjack demonstration versions—they remove financial pressures from the game, offer beginners a private arena for honing skills, allow safe exploration of unfamiliar variants, and provide entertainment without obligations (goodbye registration, identity verification, and deposits!).

Initially created for software testing and showcasing a developer's portfolio, these table game simulators, thanks to unlimited virtual credits, quickly became popular alternatives. No wonder they are found not only on online casino comparison portals and providers' official sites but also on gambling platforms (some demo versions are available even without the need to create a profile), including in Latvia.

Not sure where to start? Here are some of the most popular Blackjack variants that can be played for free:

• First Person Lightning Blackjack (Evolution)
• Classic Blackjack Gold (Microgaming)
  
• Double Exposure Blackjack (Play'n GO)
  
• Multihand Blackjack (Pragmatic Play)
  
• Blackjack Switch (Red Rake)
  

Regarding Live Blackjack, it's important to note that due to its characteristic feature, namely, the game only takes place in real-time, free versions are not possible. The closest experience to this category with a dealer presence can be found in simulators that combine 3D graphics with video recordings. Otherwise, if your priority is just to learn the nuances of the game, there are internet casinos where you can access the Blackjack lobby as an anonymous visitor and thus observe the action. 

It is very important to choose the best casino with real money that suits your preferences. One that provides special features, making your gambling experience enjoyable and profitable. Below we have listed the most important aspects to consider when choosing an online blackjack casino site:

Prohibited Countries

If an online blackjack casino does not offer services to players in your country, this may be an obstacle to future cooperation. Your country may have restrictions on the website you want to visit. Most casinos will not attempt to verify your country of residence. Thus, you can register and top up your account at these casinos. However, when the day comes when you want to withdraw your winnings, the casino will require you to verify your identity and address. And when they discover that you have been playing from one of the restricted countries. Access to your funds may become impossible and your account may be terminated.

Available Payment Methods

Most (if not all) online blackjack casinos accept debit/credit cards as a form of payment. However, there are users who prefer to use other payment methods. The more variety, the better. Also, keep in mind that each payment method has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, there are blackjack casinos that offer special bonuses if you use a certain payment method.

Reliability

It is important that you choose blackjack casino sites that have a good reputation. To check the reputation of a casino, consider the following factors:

• Licenses received;
• What year was the blackjack casino site created;
  
• The number of complaints about blackjack casinos from real users online;
  
• Does the blackjack casino resolve these complaints quickly and to an acceptable level.
  

What Benefits Do Loyal Players Get?

As the gambling industry is very competitive, blackjack casinos must offer unique promotions and VIP packages to attract and retain players. But be careful, because sometimes it’s easy to think that these offers are a great deal. Unfortunately, these “gifts” usually come with many limitations. Therefore, it is best to focus on blackjack casinos that offer promotions that do not come with many restrictions.

Customer Service

The quality and professionalism of the customer service team at casino is essential. If you run into problems, you need a high-quality customer service team to help you. Otherwise, you will quickly feel burdened while playing. Top online blackjack casinos know this, which is why they provide an appropriate standard of customer service. In short, their support team is available seven days a week and effectively resolves all customer complaints.

If the allure of gambling draws you mainly to Blackjack and you're currently planning to supercharge this card game with casino bonuses, it's advisable first to understand the dynamics of online casino campaigns. Mostly, promotions are designed either for the most visited sections, i.e., the sportsbook and slot machines, or offered as universally applicable.

Therefore, expect that exclusive Blackjack casino bonuses might not be frequently published. However, we can tell you that there are currently Latvian operators offering something special for this category as well, such as: free bonus rounds, cashback for an unsuccessful hand, bet multiplier, obtaining a specific card combination.

Remember, every promotion comes with conditions and requirements, so read the description and consider your ability to meet the mentioned obligations.

Live Casino Welcome Bonuses

The most sought-after and advantageous casino bonus, but unfortunately a one-time offer, intended only for new clients. Fortunately, on local platforms, it is offered for all main sections, thus also for Live casino. Individually or as a package, it can be in the form of a first deposit bonus (a percentage of the deposit as a gift), Cashback, or free/risk-free bets. Depending on the specific conditions, theoretically, all are suitable also for Blackjack play.

Note that in foreign casinos, the Blackjack category may be included in the game's weighting condition, which determines that the full amount or only a part of the investment in games belonging to it will be directed towards fulfilling the turnover condition.

Free Bet/Bets for Live Casino Games

Although free (in Latvia, only risk-free) bets are associated with sportsbook promotions, this concept is often used for Blackjack casino bonuses. In this context, they are most commonly available as small-value (around €5-€10) risk-free tokens or bonus cards, offering the chance to continue the game for free (with conditions!) or to place bets in a specific variant, recovering your funds after the hand (the value stated in the promotion is credited to the game account after placing the minimum bet).

Cashback

Online casino Cashback can be considered as insurance. A player is returned a percentage of their net losses from Blackjack play over a specific period up to a certain maximum sum limit (full period: total bets - total wins). Additional conditions for the Blackjack category may include: which variants the promotion applies to and the minimum number of hands played to qualify.

Example:

15% Blackjack Cashback (up to €100). A player invests €100 but wins - €80. Net losses: €100 - €80 = €20 (meets the promotion's specified limit). Cashback: 15% x €20 = €3.

The live game version offers a much more realistic casino experience, where you can communicate with dealers and other players via chat, and often, casinos offer specialized bonuses specifically for live casino games, including Blackjack.

Popular Live Blackjack Games

The list is organized by popularity, based on factors such as presence in leading online casinos, the recognizability of the provider's brand, player feedback, design quality, and uniqueness of features.

• Lightning Blackjack (Evolution) is part of the provider's Lightning series, offering electrifying decorations for aesthetic pleasure and Lightning multipliers for larger potential payouts.
• Quantum Blackjack (Playtech) includes a special card draw where those cards are assigned a multiplier. A successful hand with any of these cards multiplies the payout by the specified coefficient.
  
• ONE Blackjack (Pragmatic Play) gives classic Blackjack a refreshing dynamic with Crazy 7 and Bonus Bet additional bets, thus expanding the possibilities of winning.
  
• Speed Blackjack (Evolution) shortens the time it takes to play a hand. It offers the standard game, but with the rule that the next card is first dealt to the quickest decision-maker.
  
• Super Stake Blackjack (Stakelogic) is a variant found in foreign casinos, notable for its Super Stake feature. By doubling the bet, a player can increase their chances of activating more lucrative payout conditions.
  

There are several types of blackjack that are offered at both land-based and online casino sites. Read on and learn about some of the most popular types of online blackjack.

American blackjack

In the American version, the dealer receives two cards, one of which is face up. If the face-up card is an ace, the dealer looks at his face-down card. If it’s a ten or face card that forms blackjack, it’s game over and all players lose.

American Blackjack Rules:

First the player bets, then the dealer shuffles the cards and deals two cards to the player and himself. One dealer's card remains open.

According to the rules of American blackjack, the dealer uses 6 suits (from 2 to ace) in most cases, without a joker. In some variants, the number of decks can be 8. In case of blackjack, or 21 points, the player is paid the winnings, but if the dealer has collected 21 points first, then the money goes to the casino. Cards are only opened after players have completed their turns. Then the sums of the cards are counted and the winnings are distributed.

European blackjack

When discussing the classic blackjack game types, it is impossible to leave out European blackjack. European blackjack is a variant of the classic blackjack game. It follows similar rules, but the card play is different. Modern European blackjack is played with 8 decks and shuffled after each round.

The peculiarity of European blackjack is this: you can double your bet only if you get a combination of nine to eleven points. In addition, the winning payout ratio for combinations of ace and jack of spades or clubs is five to one.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a version of online blackjack with a bigger casino advantage, with multiple game options, additional bonus prizes, and potential big wins. This version follows the same basic rules as the standard blackjack game. But with so many new choices and options, it’s best to learn as much as you can about this version before playing.

In this version, all four tens are removed from the suit before the cards are shuffled. This means that instead of 52 cards, only 48 remain and that there are 12 ten-value cards in the suit instead of 16 cards. This reduces the chances of getting tens and tilts the game in favor of the casino. However, this is compensated by offering more bonus prizes with potentially bigger wins.

How to play Spanish 21:

The game is played using 6 suits of cards instead of the usual 10. These cards are replaced by cards of the highest suits. Thus, each suit contains 12 cards with a value of "10" instead of 16 as in the normal version.

The dealer is then dealt any card from 7 to 17, and if the player scores 21 points, such as by collecting three sevens or using any other combination of five or more cards, then they are paid, regardless of what cards the dealer receives. 21 points collected with any other hand of less than 5 cards beats the dealer's 21 points, but not blackjack. A double can be made for any amount up to and including the starting stakes. If a bad card was dealt in doubles, then it is possible to surrender.

The same action can be taken after the Split, which can significantly affect the strategy of the game. If someone gets three matching sevens at the table, then regardless of the size of the bet and the bonus rate, the player receives the bonus.

Pantoon

Pontoon is the British equivalent of the American game of blackjack. It has many features in common with its American cousin, but there are some nuances that make the game a little more interesting and strategic. The biggest difference in this version is that players can first look at one card before placing their bets and can increase their bets during the game.

Bonus blackjack

Bonus online blackjack is played exactly like standard blackjack, but with an added stake that gives the player the chance to earn money. Since this version of the game is played with only two cards, it is one of the most popular variants of blackjack among card counters and professional players.

The best blackjack game manufacturers offer a diverse range of games (classic Blackjack and its variations), quality graphics, the ability to play in live mode blah blah blah. Read on to find out which game manufacturers provide the best Blackjack game deals.

Evolution Gaming

Evolution Live Blackjack products are the fastest, most sophisticated, and richest online blackjack games there are. Everything is perfectly optimized to provide the best possible gaming experience on PC, tablet,s and smartphones, as well as at the widest range of in-person tables and special tables created exclusively for any operator.

Evolution Gaming offers a wide selection of online blackjack, and their games work flawlessly on all types of smart devices. Some of the most popular games include:

• Live Blackjack
• Speed Blackjack
• Lightning Blackjack
• Infinity Blackjack
• VIP Blackjack
• Blackjack Party

In addition, Evolution Gaming offers several additional features such as bonus bets and the Bet Behind options.

Evolution also offers games that are suitable for low stakes players as well. Blackjack Party, for example, has unusually low betting limits, allowing bets as low as 50 cents.

Playtech

The world’s largest gaming software provider. Playtech holds several gaming licenses, including those from the UK Gambling Commission, the Isle of Man Licensing Authority, and the Philippines Entertainment and Gaming Corporation. Gaming Laboratories International, one of the most respected gambling software audit agencies, frequently tests Playtech Blackjack Online Games (GLI).

Playtech offers an attractive selection of Blackjack games, with clear and realistic graphics and three different game modes, including:

• Single Player
• Multiplayer
• Private Table

In addition, Playtech is the best developer if players want to try their luck with their friends, not to mention that Playtech also offers several variations of this game, such as:

• European Blackjack
• Blackjack Surrender
• Blackjack Switch
• Progressive Blackjack
• Pontoon

NetEnt

NetEnt puts a lot of effort into providing a real casino atmosphere. Dealers are always well-dressed and professional, and live games are hosted from luxurious and well-appointed studios.

However, the appearance of NetEnt products is not their only advantage. The company's games work on almost all types of devices and provide users with a simple game view. In addition, NetEnt broadcasts all blackjack games in HD quality.

Betsoft

Betsoft is a European gambling software company known for its high-end 3D video slots. Betsoft has gambling licenses in Malta and Curacao and its games are audited by NMi gaming, one of the world’s most recognized independent gambling auditing companies. This software provider offers many variations of blackjack games that can be found in some of the best online casinos.

Real Time Gaming

RealTime gaming is well known as the provider of the most user-friendly gaming software in the United States. If you are playing blackjack from the United States, you are most likely playing at an online blackjack casino supported by RealTime Gaming. The software developer is licensed in both Costa Rica and Curaçao. The games it supplies are tested by an international independent auditing company called Technical Systems Testing. RealTime Gaming offers a good selection of online blackjack games.