Best Blackjack Casino
The Best Blackjack Sites. A good game selection is the principal factor in identifying a good blackjack casino. A varied game library is a plus and the best blackjack sites will offer welcome bonuses with conditions that favor all gaming products as well. 2021's Best Real Money Online Blackjack Casinos Find the top-rated online blackjack casinos right here. If you’re new to the game, we’ll take you through basic blackjack strategy, which you. The best blackjack games in Las Vegas casinos tend to be double deck. The best is at M Resort. It has a $50 minimum bet and stands on all 17s. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. In fact, here is where your journey to get ‘closest to 21’ or win the race to 21 begins at the best online blackjack casinos to suit every type of player and budget. Blackjack is much the same whether you play offline or at an online casino. On this page you will find everything from the fundamentals of blackjack to blackjack.
As one of the most popular casino games around the world, it’s no wonder that blackjack is extremely common to find at online gambling sites. In this guide on blackjack online casinos, we’ll point you in the right direction on where to play the game. However, it doesn’t just stop there. This page is also packed with lots of other vital details you won’t want to miss about playing blackjack online.
If you’re ready to find the best blackjack online casinos right away, then be sure to check out the list of gambling sites below. What you’ll find here is our list of recommended casinos offering blackjack. While there are many options out there, the ones featured below are the best of the best if you plan on playing blackjack online. We’ve even included a section which talks about our selection process if you’d like to read about how we came up with these suggestions.
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Some of you reading this page won’t be ready to visit potential casino sites offering blackjack just yet. If you’re one of those individuals, that’s perfectly fine. We’ve built this page to equip you with all of the vital details you need to know about playing blackjack online. Once you gather up all of the information you’re seeking, simply remember to come back to our list of suggested online casinos offering real money blackjack.
In our guide about blackjack online casinos, we’ve included lots of helpful information no matter if you’re new to playing blackjack online or an experienced player. For those of you who are tight on time, you can use the links below to skip ahead to the parts of our guide which you want to review. Just be sure to check out all of the details on this page if you’d like to ensure you get the most out of everything we’ve included here.
Common Types of Blackjack
Online Blackjack Formats
Additional Blackjack Resources
FAQ on Blackjack Online Casinos
Final Words on Blackjack Online
Why These Blackjack Online Casino Sites?
If you’re asking yourself why we selected the blackjack online casinos above over all other options, you’ve come to the right section of this guide. Below, we’ll walk you through a high-level explanation of the detailed selection process used to come up with our recommendations for the top online casinos offering blackjack.
As our team did their analysis of blackjack casino sites, the first thing they looked into was the security associated with any given option. While there are some very safe places out there to play blackjack online, others don’t have the proper security measures in place to keep players and their money safe. We scrubbed all of the unsafe online casinos offering blackjack to ensure our list only includes options we trust to use ourselves.
That said, safety isn’t the only qualification which we took under consideration. Instead, our team investigated a dozen other areas of each casino website. Things such as payment methods, time in business, customer service, and others were carefully scrutinized to help us identify the top blackjack online casino sites from the rest of the pack.
Finally, you should know we’ve not been paid by any of our recommended blackjack online casino sites for their placement on our list. It’s vital to us our recommendations are earned and not bought by the highest bidder. Thanks to this, you receive a clear and independent picture of the best places for you to play blackjack online.
Common Types of Blackjack
Up next, we’re going to preview the common types of blackjack available to you as an online player. Luckily, there are many different versions of the game at the best blackjack online casinos. Check out descriptions below to see which of these seem like they may be a good fit for you when playing blackjack online. Keep in mind our descriptions are not meant to describe all of the nuances of each version, so we’d suggest you do more research before starting to play a new variant of blackjack.
Standard (Classic) Blackjack
In the classic version of real money blackjack, you’re in a battle against the dealer to see which of you can get closest to the total of 21 without going over. Depending on the table you’re playing at, the number of decks being used can vary somewhere between one and eight decks. With more decks in play, the odds are more in the house’s favor.
Atlantic City Blackjack
The main difference between Atlantic City Blackjack and the classic variant of the game is that the Atlantic City version always makes use of eight decks of cards. Also, there are a few other minor differences, including the fact that players can split up to three hands and the dealer can stand on a soft 17.
European Blackjack
When it comes to European Blackjack, there are a couple of key differences from the classic version of the game. One of the most notable things is that European blackjack is always played with just two decks of cards at many blackjack online casinos. Another significant difference is the dealer doesn’t take his hole card (face down one) until all players have made their playing decisions relating to their hands.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is a variant of blackjack which provides the house (casino) with a better edge over players. The reason behind this is the decks used in Spanish 21 have all 10s removed from them. In turn, there are only 48 cards as opposed to the typical 52. Outside of this significant difference, there are a few other smaller tweaks to things relating to blackjack rules including insurance and surrendering.
Vegas Strip Blackjack
Vegas Strip Blackjack is a form of the game which is very similar to the Atlantic City format. However, instead of using eight decks of cards, Vegas Strip Blackjack only uses four. The dealer at blackjack casino sites can stand on a soft 17 and players can split up to three times in this version just as with the Atlantic City one.
Super Fun 21
Super Fun 21 is a variant of blackjack which only uses a single deck of cards. However, there are some significant differences between this version of the game and the classic one. For starters, blackjack only pays even money instead of the typical 3:2. But a player with a natural blackjack will win the hand if up against a dealer’s natural blackjack. Another oddity is a player with a diamond blackjack (consisting of diamond only cards) will see a payout of 2:1.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch stands out at online casino sites with blackjack as a rather unique version of the game. When a new round begins, each player is dealt two sets of cards instead of the typical one. In total, it gives players four cards to start with. Then, players of Blackjack Switch have the option of switching cards between the two hands to make the best possible hand. However, since this helps increase the player’s chances of winning, the payouts for this version of blackjack are less than the classic form.
Pontoon
The game of Pontoon is set up just like Spanish 21. Here, the deck has had all of the 10s removed. However, the interesting part of Pontoon is that it uses different terminology from the forms of the game. Instead of saying “blackjack,” “stand,” and “hit,” you’ll say “stick,” “twist,” or “pontoon” in turn. Outside of the odd terminology, the rest of the game plays out the same as Spanish 21.
Progressive Blackjack
One other popular variant found at the best blackjack online casinos is a version which makes use of a progressive jackpot. If you’re familiar with the idea of progressive slot machines, this functions much of the same way. The game is played using the classic blackjack form and rules. However, the player can opt to make a side bet for the potential to win the associated jackpot. In some casinos, the progressive jackpot can be a sizeable amount, which can make the game even more exciting to play.
Now that you’ve got a good idea for the types of blackjack available, it’s up to you to decide which of them you’d like to play online.
We’d suggest using a free practice mode to try things out while you’re learning about new versions of the game. Once you feel comfortable with the rules of the game, you can then begin to wager real money on a trusted blackjack casino website.
Online Blackjack Formats
Casino Blackjack Online
If you decide you’re going to play real money blackjack online, you’ll also want to choose which online format of the game is going to be the best fit for you. Below, we’ve added details on three of the most popular online forms of the game found at blackjack online casinos. Be sure to check these out to see if one of them jumps out at you.
Standard Online Blackjack
The original way folks played blackjack online was in the standard format. Under this form, the game functions very much like a computer game. Players using this format play blackjack using a video game utilizing a random number generator. Here, there’s no physical cards or dealer. Instead, everything is digitized. To help you get a feel for standard online blackjack, you’ll find an image below of what it commonly looks like.
Live Dealer Blackjack
To help provide players with a different experience, many real money blackjack online casinos and websites offer live dealer blackjack formats. If you’re not familiar with live dealer casino games, they are one of the hottest trends in the online gambling industry at this time. With this format, you’ll see a live feed which includes an actual dealer situated in a casino somewhere around the globe. Instead of just playing a computerized version based off a random number generator, it functions more like you’re seated at the table yourself.
While it will almost feel like you’re at the casino, you’ll instead be in the comfort of your own home. Therefore, you won’t have to travel to your local land-based casino and deal with any of the added noise and distractions which can often come along with that experience.
Understandably, this concept can be a bit hard to grasp at first. However, after checking out the example below, you’ll get a good feel for what this version looks like at online casinos that offer blackjack and how it differs from the standard video version of the game.
Mobile Blackjack
One other option available to you for playing blackjack online is mobile blackjack. Here, you can use your smartphone or tablet to play both standard and live dealer games at blackjack casino sites from the palm of your hand. What we love about this format of the game is the convenience of not needing to be at your computer. Below, we’ve added an example of what the mobile blackjack experience will be like on your mobile devices if you choose to play this format.
We’re huge fans of the available variety of ways which blackjack can be played online. If you’re inexperienced online casino sites with blackjack, our advice would be to try playing all three of these formats to find which ones you enjoy most. If you enjoy more than one of them, nothing is stopping you from changing formats from time to time as you see fit.
Additional Online Blackjack Resources
Best Blackjack Casinos In Vegas
Outside of what we’ve already covered on this page about blackjack real money online casinos, we also have a wealth of other blackjack related resources on our website. Below, we’ve included links to some of our favorite pages which may be able to assist you to learn more about playing blackjack online. If any of these sound helpful to you, be sure to check them out so that you don’t miss out on their important details.
Blackjack Guide for Beginners
If you’re new to playing blackjack in general, no matter if it’s at blackjack online casinos or in land-based casinos, one of the first resources you should check out is our guide for beginners of the game. On the link below, you’ll find all kinds of useful information which will help you quickly get started. Here, you’ll find basic strategies, terminologies, and so much more.
Online Blackjack Strategy Guide
While there’s plenty of similarities between playing real money blackjack online and in your local brick and mortar casino, there are also some key differences you should be aware of. In our online blackjack strategy guide, we’ll get you up to speed on all of the essential things you’ll want to be mindful of when playing blackjack online.
Blackjack Card Counting Guide
Best Blackjack Casino In Vegas
One of the things we’re often asked about the most here is card counting in blackjack. Due to the immense popularity of this strategy when playing blackjack, we’ve developed an entire page all about it. However, many folks don’t know there are many different ways you can go about counting cards when playing blackjack. In our guide, we’ll help you learn about each one of the major blackjack card counting methods to help you find the one that’s the best fit for you.
Complete Collection of Blackjack Resources
If you’re looking for other details relating to the game of blackjack, then you’ll most likely find all of them on our primary blackjack hub page. Using the link below, you can explore all of our blackjack resources in one single location. No matter your current level of blackjack skills and experience, there’s plenty on this page which can assist you with elevating your game.
FAQ on Blackjack Online Casinos
While we’ve done our best to provide as much detailed information about online casinos with blackjack above, we understand we may not have answered all of your questions. For that reason, we’ve added in a collection of FAQs about playing blackjack online below. If you’re still missing some answers, be sure to check these out.
Do I Need a Computer to Play Blackjack Online?
No. If you don’t have a laptop or desktop computer, you can still play real money blackjack online. This is possible thanks to online casino websites making use of mobile-friendly technologies. Thanks to this, you can find blackjack online casinos which work well with mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. With one of these devices and a connection to the internet, you’ll be able to enjoy the same online casino action as folks using computers are.
Why Should I Play Blackjack Online?
Playing blackjack online is a matter of preference. While it’s not for everyone, many individuals enjoy it for several reasons. One of the primary benefits of using a blackjack online casino is that it’s usually simple to earn lots of bonus cash while playing the game. Between welcome bonuses and other promotional offers, there’s often no shortage of bonus opportunities.
Another reason so many folks use blackjack online casinos is because of the convenience which comes along with them. Since everything is done electronically, there’s no need to leave home to head to your local casino. Instead, simply pull out your smartphone or computer, and you’ll be playing blackjack online in a matter of moments.
What Form of Blackjack Is Best for Beginners?
If you’re new to the game, we’d suggest you first learn how to play the standard version of the game. Luckily, standard blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to learn. For most individuals, they’re able to pick up on the basic game rules in practically no time at all. For those of you who are new to playing blackjack, check out the additional resources guide above. There, you’ll find a link to our blackjack guide for beginners. In it, we’ll get you equipped with all of the details you’ll need to know.
Can I Play Blackjack Online for Free?
Absolutely. If you don’t want to risk real money when playing real money blackjack online, it is possible to play the game for free. Since many blackjack online casinos offer free practice options, you’re able to enjoy the game without betting real money. Luckily, many casinos offering blackjack allow free play to players without them even needing to open an account.
If you’re new to playing blackjack online or just new to the game in general, these free practice modes are an excellent way to get a feel for how things function. We’d highly recommend trying these out to ensure you’re comfortable with everything before you begin betting real money on the game.
Can I Play Blackjack on Other Online Casinos?
It is possible to find other online casinos offering blackjack. However, we’d caution you against using any of them not featured on our list of blackjack online casinos at the top of this page. While there are many blackjack casino sites out there, not all of them are the best quality. Based on our research, we’re sure our selections above represent the top places in the entire industry for playing blackjack online.
However, we understand some of you might want to check out other options to compare them against our recommendations. If you plan on doing that, be sure to visit the page linked below. Here, you’ll get access to our current list of blacklisted casino websites. These are online casinos which you’ll want to avoid to keep yourself protected.
Final Words About Online Blackjack Casino Sites
We hope this page about real money online casinos offering blackjack was a benefit to you. For those of you who haven’t visited our website before, we’ve got many more ways we can benefit you. Be sure to take a small amount of time to explore our main menu to see a preview of the other helpful gambling-related guides we’ve created. We’re here to be your one-stop shop of information, not just about playing blackjack online, but for anything you’re into when it comes to gambling. Thanks for stopping by, and best of luck with your upcoming blackjack action!
Where to cash in on player-friendly blackjack games, and how to avoid the bad ones
by Henry Tamburin
The 6-5 payoff rule increases the house edge by almost 1.4 percent. If you’re a $10 bettor, playing a 6-5 game will cost you $3 each time you get a blackjack (and you’ll average roughly four blackjacks per hour), which comes to $12 that you are forking over to the casino bosses every hour.
This month, my column is going to accomplish four things:
- Provide you with a convenient list of casinos that offer a single-deck blackjack game that pays 3-2 for a blackjack (also known as a “natural”)
- Give you an accurate single-deck basic playing strategy that you can use to play this terrific game
- Summarize the casinos in and around Las Vegas that offer the abominable 6-5 single-deck games (so you can avoid them)
- Give you some advice on how you can help eradicate the awful 6-5 games, which have been spreading like a cancer in casinos throughout the U.S.
Note: The information on which casinos offer single-deck games and the corresponding rules and house edges mentioned in this article were obtained from Current Blackjack News (CBJN), with their permission (www.bj21.com). Casinos can change the rules at any time, so check CBJN for the latest rules and playing conditions in casinos across the country.
In the March 2008 issue of Casino Player magazine, I wrote a detailed column about why the 6-5 single-deck game is bad news for players. Without rehashing all the points that I made back then, let me briefly summarize why this game should be avoided like the plague. The 6-5 payoff rule increases the house edge by almost 1.4 percent (no, that’s not a typo). If you’re a $10 bettor, playing a 6-5 game will cost you $3 each time you get a blackjack (and you’ll average roughly four blackjacks per hour), which comes to $12 that you are forking over to the casino bosses every hour.
That is an atrocity, which is why a smart blackjack player would never play this game.
If you talk to casino bosses about their 6-5 games (which I‘ve done), you get this sort of universal response from them: we know players don’t like the 6-5 games, but as long as they keep playing them, we’d be crazy not to offer them. In a moment, I will give you some tips on how you can help us eradicate the 6-5 games from casinos everywhere. But first, let me discuss the single-deck game that I am encouraging you to play; namely, the game that pays the traditional 3-2 for a natural. It’s available, and I’ll show you where.
The house edge against a basic strategy player in a 3-2 single-deck game is a function of the mix of playing rules. The best single-deck games have h17 (dealer hits soft 17), and allow players to resplit aces. The house edge in this game is a meager 0.13%. Second best is an h17 game without resplit aces (house edge: only 0.18%).
The following chart summarizes the relationship of the rules and the house edge for a basic strategy player in a 3-2 single-deck game. You’d be hard-pressed to find a multi-deck game with these low house edges.
Playing Rules | House Edge (%) |
h17, rsa | 0.13 |
h17 | 0.18 |
s17, d10 | 0.29 |
h17, d9 | 0.32 |
h17, d10 | 0.44 |
Where would you guess is the most likely place to find a 3-2 single-deck game? If you said Las Vegas, you’d be dead wrong. According to CBJN, there are only four casinos that offer a 3-2 single-deck game in Las Vegas (and unfortunately, 44 casinos in and around Vegas that offer the dastardly 6-5 single-deck games, making Las Vegas the #1 gambling destination with the most 6-5 games).
Table 1 lists the casinos in Las Vegas that offer 3-2 single-deck games. Table 2 is the list of Las Vegas casinos that offer the 6-5 game. Be smart—on your next trip to Vegas, play the juicy 3-2 single-deck game and avoid the terrible 6-5 game in the casinos listed in Table 2.
The areas of the country where the concentration of 3-2 single-deck games is the greatest are Tunica and Vicksburg, MS, and Reno/Lake Tahoe/Wendover, in Nevada. You’ll be delighted to find many casinos in these cities that offer the fair 3-2 single-deck game. (See Table 3 for the list of these casinos.)
Now that you know where to find 3-2 single-deck games, you need to learn the basic playing strategy for them. Table 4 summarizes the strategy where the dealer hits soft 17 (which is the case in the majority of casinos that offer a single-deck game). You should become familiar with this playing strategy, because it’s slightly different than the basic strategy for multi-deck games. If this is your first time playing a single-deck game, I would also recommend that you bring a strategy card with you to avoid making playing mistakes. It’s perfectly legal to refer to a card before you play your hand.
Table 1
Las Vegas Casinos That Offer
3-2 Single-Deck Games
h17 = dealer hits soft 17
d10 = double down only on two-card ten or eleven
rsa = aces may be resplit
Casino | Rules | House Edge |
Binion’s | h17, d10 | 0.44% |
El Cortez | h17 (dealt from a shoe) | 0.18% |
Four Queens | h17, d10 | 0.44% |
Hooters | h17, d10 | 0.44% |
Silverton | h17, d10 | 0.44% |
Note: I’ve had friends in the past play the single-deck games at Binion’s and Four Queens, and they claimed they had a good time. However, Al Rogers, manager at bj21.com, had this to say about the single-deck games at both casinos: “Anyone showing the slightest degree of brain usage at reasonable stakes will not be allowed to play the 3-2 single-deck games at either casino.”
Table 2
The Hall Of Shame:
Las Vegas Area Casinos That Offer
6-5 Single-Deck Games
Aliante | Excalibur | Main Street Station | Red Rock |
Bally’s | Fiesta Henderson | Mandalay Bay | Rio |
Bill’s Gambling Hall | Fiesta Rancho | MGM Grand | Riviera |
Binion’s* | Fitzgeralds | Mirage | Santa Fe Station |
Boulder Station | Flamingo | Monte Carlo | Stratosphere |
Caesars Palace | Four Queens* | Orleans | Sun Coast |
California | Fremont | Palms | Sunset Station |
Casino Royal | Hard Rock | Paris | Texas Station |
Circus Circus | Harrah’s | Planet Hollywood | TI |
Cosmopolitan | Imperial Palace | Plaza | Wild Wild West |
Encore | Las Vegas Hilton | Railroad Pass | Wynn |
*Binion’s and Four Queens offer 3-2 and 6-5 single-deck games, which is why they appear in both Tables 1 and 2.
Table 3
MS and Laughlin/Reno/Wendover, NV Casinos
With 3-2 Single-Deck Games
Tunica | Reno | Laughlin |
Fitz | Alamo | Pioneer |
Gold Strike | Atlantis | Riverside |
Harrah’s | Bonanza | |
Horseshoe | Cal-Neva | Lake Tahoe |
Sam’s Town | Circus Circus | Harrah’s |
Tunica Roadhouse | Diamond’s | Harveys |
Eldorado | Lakeside Inn | |
Vicksburg | Grand Sierra | Mont Bleu |
Ameristar | Harrah’s | |
Grand Station | John Ascuaga’s Nugget | Wendover |
Rainbow | Peppermill | Montego Bay |
Riverwalk | Siena | Peppermill |
Silver Legacy | Rainbow | |
Sands Regency | Red Garter | |
Crystal Bay | Nugget | |
Western Village |
Note: The Isle Casino in Biloxi, MS, and L’Auberge du Lac casino in Lake Charles, LA also offer 3-2 single-deck blackjack games.
Table 4
Single-Deck Basic Strategy
Dealer Hits Soft 17, No DAS
Note: Hard hands are hands that either don’t contain an ace, or if one (or more) aces are present in the hand, they count as 1 (e.g., 10-7; 8-4-Ace-4; 3-Ace-Ace-10).
Soft hands are hands that contain an ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace-7; 3-4-Ace; Ace-7-Ace).
If the rules do not allow doubling on soft hands, then you should always hit soft hands from 13 through 17, and always stand with soft 19 through 21. Likewise, if you are not allowed to double down on hard 8 through 11, then hit.
Hard Hands | Playing Strategy |
8 | Double if dealer has 5 or 6; otherwise hit |
9 | Double if dealer has 2 through 6; otherwise, hit |
10 | Double if dealer has 9 or less; otherwise hit |
11 | Always double |
12 | Stand if dealer has 4, 5, or 6; otherwise hit |
13-16 | Stand if dealer has 2 through 6; otherwise hit |
17-21 | Always stand |
Soft Hands | |
A-2; A-3; A-4; A-5 | Double if dealer has 4, 5, or 6; otherwise, hit |
A-6 | Double if dealer has 2 through 6; otherwise, hit |
A-7 | Double if dealer has 3 through 6; hit if dealer has 9, 10, or ace; |
stand if dealer has 2, 7, or 8A-8Double if dealer has 6; otherwise standA-9; A-10Always stand Pairs 2sSplit if dealer has 3 through 7; otherwise hit3sSplit if dealer has 4 through 7; otherwise hit4sNever split; double if dealer has 5 or 6; otherwise hit5sNever split; double if dealer has 9 or less; otherwise hit6sSplit if dealer has 2 through 6; otherwise hit7sSplit if dealer has 2 through 7; stand if dealer has a 10; hit if dealer has 8, 9, or ace8sAlways split9sSplit if dealer has 2 through 6, and 8 or 9; stand if dealer has 7, 10, or ace.10sNever split; always standAcesAlways split
If the 6-5 game continues to proliferate, it will ultimately ruin blackjack. Here’s what you can do to help eradicate this game.
- Refuse to play any 6-5 blackjack games. Instead, only play blackjack games that pay 3-2 for a natural.
- If you come across a 6-5 game, voice your displeasure to a casino supervisor, your casino host, and even the casino manager (better yet, email the casino manager). Be sure to also tell them you are taking your business to casinos that don’t offer this wretched game.
- Warn your friends and family members who play blackjack about this outrageous game, and do not play it.
I can promise you this: If enough players say NO to 6-5 blackjack games, casinos will eliminate them. Collectively, we can make a difference.
Tamburin’s Tip of the Month
The 6-5 rule isn’t just confined to single-deck games. For example, as I was writing this article, the Las Vegas Advisor reported that the new Margaritaville casino (located inside the Flamingo casino in Las Vegas) opened with eight-deck games with h17, and almost all of them pay 6-5 for a natural. Even though the rules allow you to double down after pair splitting, resplit aces, and surrender, collectively these player-friendly rules are not nearly enough to offset the dreaded 6-5 rule, resulting in a ridiculously high house edge of 1.85% against a basic strategy player. Therefore, even if you play a multi-deck game, it pays to double-check the payout for a natural to be sure it’s 3-2.
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Henry Tamburin is the editor of Blackjack Insider Newsletter (www.bjinsider.com), Lead Instructor for the Golden Touch Blackjack Course (www.goldentouchblackjack.com), and host of www.smartgaming.com. For a free three-month subscription to his blackjack newsletter, go to www.bjinsider.com/freetrial.com. To receive his free Casino Gambling Catalog, call 1-888-353-3234 or visit www.smartgaming.com.