Blackjack Online in TOP Casinos: Main Rules

Our Main Criteria in Discerning the Best Online Casinos

Our experienced team has several key criteria reviewed casinos must cover to get included in our lists. See them below:

• Licence and Security — Every picked casino must have a valid licence to operate in the Switzerland online space. We also check for a valid SSL certificate, financial security practices, and a track record of responsible behaviour.
• Game Fairness — To ensure the fairness of games, we check whether they have been tested by external, recognised regulators. We include casinos with eCOGRA stamps or those that allow players to test the games themselves (e.g., ProvablyFair).
• Variety of Games — The bigger the game library, the more choices players will have. We include casinos with games from multiple software developers.
• Bonus Value and Ease of Conversion — We favour casinos with high-value bonuses with low wagering requirements. Our team considers the rollover, validity period, supported games, and betting range.
• High Payout Rate — Last but not least, we favour casinos with an average return rate of over 95%.

What is Blackjack?

Blackjack is a card game in which players and the dealer aim to reach 21 points but not exceed them. The modern variant has changed from its predecessors, but the bulk of it can still be traced back to Vingt-un (Twenty-One), which originated in Spain. It is believed games like it were played in the 17th century.

Blackjack was introduced to the United States during and around the First World War. Ever since, it has become one of the most popular casino games.

The Rules of Blackjack

To play effectively, players should intimately know the Blackjack rules. First, 5-7 players and a dealer participate in the game. At the beginning of the round, the dealer hands each player two cards. From there, players calculate the total of their points (1-10 is equal points, J, Q, K, and A are 10). Then, they have three options: Hit, Stand, Split, or Double.

• Hit — The player receives one more card, adding its points to the total of his hand.
• Stand — The player keeps his current hand.
• Double — The wager is doubled. The player draws another card and finishes.
• Split — The initial hand is divided in two. Each card receives one more, turning it into two separate heaps. The player continues with them as he would with a single hand.

Variants of the Blackjack Game

Blackjack comes in many variants, which differ in rules and the number of used decks. For maximum efficiency in creating profitable strategies, players should know the strengths and weaknesses of each one. Educate yourself about them below.

Blackjack Switch Variant

The main difference with this variant is that players are dealt two hands. They must play with them simultaneously and can use the switch rule, which allows them to transfer one of the cards from one hand to another. Because of this extra option, online Blackjack Switch is very popular. It has an amazing average RTP of 99.87% and a house edge of only 0.23%, despite the 6-8 decks typical for it.

What is Live Blackjack?

Blackjack Live uses a direct internet connection to a video room, where the game unfolds under the guidance of a real dealer. It simulates a brick-and-mortar casino environment, and many players opt for it because of the boosted thrills. Live Blackjack online can come in various forms, from classic to Switch, Atlantic City, and others.

The Rules of the Blackjack Atlantic City Variant

Blackjack Atlantic City comes with a whopping 99.51% RTP and a house edge of just 0.39%, which offers excellent winning chances with each hand. Besides the standard rules, it has a few special ones responsible for its popularity among online users. They are:

• Aces Split — For pocket Aces, a rule applies where they can only be split once. Then, players receive only one card.
• Double Available At All Times — The option to double your wager is available all throughout each round.
• Dealer Stands — The official must ‘Stand’ every time he has a hand of more than 17 points.

European Blackjack: Going Traditional

This variant is played with six decks. It has a house edge of 0.62%. Although, not the best option in terms of chances of winning, we’ve observed that the traditional feel attracts a lot of players. This is not to say that the version doesn’t have special rules. They are:

• Splitting — With this variant, the player will automatically double after requesting a split.
• Doubling — The ‘Double’ option is only available with hands from nine to 11 points.
• Dealer Rule — Similarly to Atlantic City, the dealer is mandated to stand on soft 17.

Blackjack Online Free

The concept of free blackjack is simple: it is designed to allow players to try out new strategies. Everyone can join blackjack for free without spending any money. They will receive virtual chips with which to play the game. Based on our experience, this variant is available at almost every casino on our lists.

Learning Advanced Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is a skill game. As such, players have significant control over the outcome. Beginners can take our advice and follow the Blackjack basic strategy to improve their chances. Here are things they can try:

Use Blackjack Online Charts — Experienced players have created tables recommending a specific action based on each hand. See the image below.

Knowing When to Surrender — Considering your and the dealer’s hand, you can follow instructions, proven by experience, revealing when is the right time to surrender. The example below is for single-deck Blackjack online.

The Kiss System — KISS, a name for a specific way of counting cards, can significantly increase the chances of winning. With this method, players only count coloured cards and those between 4 and 6. It adds or subtracts a point, giving a total value, the high end of which tells the player to increase the bet. See the table below.

History of Blackjack

The Blackjack casino game originated from the likes of Vingt-un, but it’s not the only source of inspiration. The game also bears resemblance to the French Chemin de Fer, which was hugely popular in the early 18th century. The game underwent gradual development in the next two centuries and experienced its first breakthrough in popularity around the 1940s when it was introduced in Las Vegas casinos. In 2000, a hall of fame was created. It includes all-time greatest players like Al Francesco, Peter Griffin, Roger Baldwin, and others.

Tips and Advice on Playing Blackjack Online

Blackjack is a complex game that requires studying if one is to be successful. Based on our experience with it, we have a few tips for you. Here they are:

• Study the Rules of Each Variant — As an absolute basic, every player should know how to play the game. Devising strategies only comes after this step.
• Read Blackjack Books — There are many valuable books on the subject that can teach you how to become better and make a profit. We recommend ‘Beat the Dealer’ (1962, Thorp) and ‘Professional Blackjack’ (1975, Wong).

Play Free Demos — Playing free Blackjack is an excellent way to test new strategies and train yourself to think about the game intuitively.