But, before you can storm the highest echelons of the online blackjack world, you will need to know a few things about the rules, and that is another thing we will help you understand. You will also obtain additional knowledge about specific details, such as the best blackjack game providers and side bets. In other words, by the end of this Casino Bee will have shown you how to play blackjack and be successful.
How We Find the Best Blackjack Sites
Every time we decide to review a new blackjack site, we keep at least several factors in mind. We check for everything, including other players’ opinions to paint the full picture of each individual online blackjack site, but also the security and trustworthiness of the website, selection of blackjack games, what bonus offers are available, and whether live blackjack games are available. We check websites to the best of our ability and try to objectively list everything you need to know to help you make a more informed choice when you look for a blackjack site or a blackjack game.
Trusted and Safe Blackjack Sites
There are many ways to find out if a blackjack site meets specific industry criteria. We evaluate the reputation and available feedback about the website. Our team of experts looks into the SSL encryption of the website, available licenses if any, and overall player perception of the website and what other players have said about it. In the end, a good blackjack website should ultimately treat its players well and offer a rewarding game experience.
How Many Blackjack Games Are Available
Another factor is the availability of games. The more blackjack games you have, the better the overall gameplay experience will be. Players will be looking to experience classic blackjack, but also try more entertaining versions, such as the Spanish 21, Blackjack Switch, Progressive Blackjack, European Blackjack, and many others. The best games are usually the work of several select studios, including Playtech, NetEnt, and Evolution Gaming, although this list is quickly growing to feature more successful studios and developers who specialise in blackjack online.
Are There Live Dealer Blackjack Games to Try?
We believe that a true blackjack casino experience involves live blackjack games. Casino Bee has reviewed dozens if not hundreds of casinos where live blackjack is one of the main games you can enjoy. Despite the fact that blackjack may seem like a simple two-card game, the variations are a lot.
One of the main providers of such games is Evolution Gaming. The studio has developed a whole range of outstanding titles you may want to try yourself. Its blackjack portfolio includes classic Live Blackjack, Speed Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Power Blackjack, Salon Prive, Blackjack Party, Dedicated Blackjacks, and more. Furthermore, its live blackjack software is more powerful than most as it offers a variety of excellent features, such as Bet Behind, Side Bets, and Initial Decision.
Facts to Consider at Online Blackjack Casinos
Because of how dynamic online blackjack is, you will often want to keep a few things in mind to maximise your experience. Now, first thing first, online blackjack casinos we recommend come with a great selection of casino games. To truly stand out for their blackjack portfolio, though, they feature a number of great blackjack games. Casino Bee always checks for certain prerequisites before recommending a casino. And that’s how we list the best blackjack sites of the industry.
Good Blackjack Game Variety
As mentioned before, having enough games to pick from is always the best. You will be able to take a look at the full portfolio of each casino even before registering, and decide if the games you see are the ones you want to play. Having this preview of each blackjack game is great. You can quickly run through the paytables, see what the payouts feel like, and generally make a very quick decision whether you want to play.
Each player will probably want to stick to specific games. For example, those who want to give themselves the best odds of winning might look for single-deck classic blackjack games, although multi-decks games are clearly way more popular. The important thing is to add value to your experience, and one way to do that is to pick the website with the best blackjack casino games. Luckily, Casino Bee provides you with a number of blackjack casinos to find the ones that satisfy your needs.
Licenses, Reputation, and Player Opinion
Another thing that comes into mind when considering where to play blackjack is to check the reputation and license of each website. Mostly, Malta Gaming Authority and the UKGC from Great Britain are the most reliable license providers.
Now, a license may not be immediately available, but we urge you to see what other players say and even compare the ratings of the different websites yourself. Player forums often offer quite a bit of insight, and you can quickly navigate to the blackjack sites that offer real value to players and steer clear from the rest.
Payment Methods and Quick Banking
One thing that will always come into play when looking for a great blackjack site is the available payment options. Native deposit and withdrawal banking options will save you from a lot of hassle and will allow you to play blackjack online for real money safely and soundly.
For Casino Bee, you should be able to deposit in a matter of seconds and pick a withdrawal payment option that allows you to cash out your money and winnings just as quickly. Each cashier option will vary a little, so you need to always double-check the specific payment conditions for each payment method you choose. These will vary from one blackjack website to the next.
Blackjack Games for Mobile Devices
A while ago, most blackjack games were developed for Flash. Today, all games are HTML5 powered, and this means that mobile play is on the table. Players can enjoy quick and dynamic play on the go, pick their favourite table minimum game and generally place a blackjack bet that feels natural, all from the comfort of their mobile device. You will similarly be able to top-up your bankroll while playing remotely, request a withdrawal, and even speak to customer support.
You Can Always Rely on Great Customer Support
Another aspect of a great blackjack website is to have access to customer support. You may approach support with any specific issue and always expect to find a representative able to help you. Players are welcome to benefit from the knowledgeable customer support agents who are available via live chat, email, and often phone. If you prefer to solve problems on your own, you might want to check if there is an FAQ section where all the questions that may interest you should have been answered.
Blackjack Apps: Mobile Blackjack Feels Better
Blackjack is a dynamic and quick game, and as such, many blackjack players like to take the experience on the go with them. Whether you play classic blackjack online or enjoy another version, it always feels better to have a native solution that allows you to enjoy the game remotely. Blackjack apps are a great way to do that. You can bet real money and enjoy yourself without being tied down to a desktop computer.
Apps have the same functionality as the websites they represent. Most of them include even the payment process. That allows you to have a quality experience and access to all great blackjack games right from the palm of your hand and in a dedicated gaming environment.
Live Dealer Blackjack Bonuses: Boosting Your Bankroll
Now, one of the best ways to play blackjack is to find a website that is truly worth it. Blackjack players tend to gravitate towards the best options out there, and this is not by chance. We also make a lot of research for each individual website to configure if it really is worth your time and money. Now, one great tell-tale sign is the availability of a live dealer blackjack bonus.
Live dealer bonuses aren’t too common in blackjack or any of the other live casino games you can try, but they are worth it. Of course, the wagering contributions tend to be a little lower than what you would see in slot games, usually at around 10% or 20%. That may seem a little low, but blackjack takes quite a bit of skill, which means that you can still benefit from a great live dealer blackjack bonus.
And that brings us to our next question – what kind of live blackjack bonuses are there exactly? In most cases, you will find a live blackjack welcome bonus, which allows you to start your live casino experience with a little more in the way of gaming funds.
Some casinos will also offer you a reload bonus for your live blackjack, which can be quite handy. Last but not least, there are often various VIP and loyalty schemes that allow you to progress through blackjack casinos’ tiers and become privy to exclusive rewards, exchange loyalty points back into real money, and generally add value to your experience.
Which One to Choose: Blackjack for Free vs Real Money?
Now, for many players, blackjack is a game where the only worthwhile goal is to bet and win real money. Some people play blackjack online recreationally, but others tend to be a little more competitive. This brings up the question of which one is better, free play, or real money. That entirely depends on what kind of a player you are. If you are happy with just beating the game without any real value to your bankroll, then free blackjack is definitely a worthwhile option.
The blackjack rules of the free game are the same, and you will arguably get the same level of satisfaction. However, most players agree that nothing quite lives up to the thrill of real money blackjack. There is an inherent joy in being able to outsmart the casino. Yet, it’s important to keep in mind that blackjack mixes both luck and skill, and you have no sure-fire way of knowing whether your real money bets will pay off.
On the upside, though, many players take on a challenge when they play blackjack online and do their best to win more. You can pick whichever mode of play you like as long as it feels like something that is entertaining to you. One of the greatest strengths of real money blackjack, other than feeling more rewarding to a certain type of player, is that the betting limits are flexible and you can pick a blackjack table that is perfectly tailored to your specific needs.
Blackjack Strategy: Are They Any Good?
We have all seen the movies promising to become rich if you learn a few tricks about the game. Some players have actually succeeded in conquering the blackjack table. Yet, mastering the game takes a depth of understanding blackjack that requires persistence, hard knowledge, patience, and no small amount of luck. Today, we will look at several popular strategies used when playing blackjack. They are not a sure-fire way to win, but they might just give you a slight advantage.
There are two main types of strategies. The first ones are what we will call traditional. They don’t necessarily consider the specific version of the blackjack game, but rather focus on the face value of the bet. Here, you want to play the version with the best house edge. Thankfully, most blackjack variations offer a great house edge and face value bets, starting at very little.
The second type of strategy is those that focus on version-specific strategies. They will advise you when to split or double, forfeit your bets or play. These strategies are great although somewhat narrowly specialised in the particular version of the game. Let’s take a look at both right now.
General Blackjack Strategies We Recommend
These strategies are a great way to give yourself the upper hand when playing the game. Most will require you to find a good table minimum and progressively scale your bets based on whether you are winning or losing. These strategies aren’t without their faults, but they give you a blackjack how-to-play guide that will at least help you to moderate the risk and perhaps even turn a small profit.
The number of decks in the game is very important as well. Naturally, online and live dealer blackjack always sees the cards shuffled after each hand, but the more decks there are, the slightly better the house advantage over you is. Now, if you do use a strategy, though, you can anticipate.
Martingale – A Novice-Friendly Solution
Martingale is one of the best blackjack strategies you can try. Whether you are enjoying real money games, live dealer blackjack, or play for fun, Martingale could help you win. In this strategy, what you need to do is double up after each loss. Once you have recouped your losses, you return to your designated base bet. This way, you can progress naturally, although the casino will be quick to know that you are using the strategy.
The strength of this stratagem is that there is a very small risk. However, there is a danger, too. You may hit the table limit by doubling up and not be able to recoup your losses. That doesn’t happen very often, but statistically, it’s possible, and you have to always be careful.
Fibonacci – For the Math Wizards
Fibonacci may seem a little more maths-motivated, but here is the thing. Every strategy you use to gain a small advantage over the casino is based on maths. Now, don’t fear, because Fibonacci is very easy to follow through with. The strategy relies on a sequence that repeats itself. The key here is to complete a sequence before calling it quits. If you choose to quit in mid-session, this would most likely result in a loss. The good news is that the strategy has been tested and it provides some leeway when you are looking to outsmart the live dealer and make the cards work for you.
Labouchere – Great Strategy for High Bankrolls
Laboureche is another popular strategy that many players turn to in a bid to secure an advantage against the house. The system asks you to determine the amount you want to win and then expects you to split the amount you want to bet into separate, smaller amounts. The stratagem requires a little more theoretical work which may scare some players, but those people who like to take the initiative will surely find Labouchere to be a viable choice.
Some Blackjack Specific Strategies to Consider
Right, so we have been through some general stratagems, but let’s now focus on actionable pieces of advice you can use on your favourite website and help you tackle the card game and the live dealers. Each bet you make will have to be predicated on the cards you hold. In other words, every decision you make should be a smart one. Even if you are not playing for real money, Casino Bee always promotes smart play. After all, this is the healthiest way to pick the healthy habits you need to win more often playing blackjack. Let’s start with several pieces of advice we hold to be fundamental in helping you beat the dealers!
#1 Double Down Your Hard 11’s
One of the first strategies you learn about the game is to Double Down if your cards form a hard 11. The rule is simple enough to be applied to any situation other than those complicated ones. However, you must also take into consideration of the dealer’s hand. Another thing to always bear in mind is you mostly can get only one additional card when you double down.
#2 Never Split a Pair of 5’s or 10’s
The logic about this one is simple. Statistically, you are less likely to win if you choose to split your hands. In other words, having two 10’s for a total of 20 is better than most splits you can do with those, as you would most likely end up busting one of your hands or simply not winning on it. 5’s, on the other hand, are too negligible of cards to provide you with a meaningful base for your hand. Instead, you can just get another card.
#3 Hit a Hard 12 If the Dealer Has 2 or 3
When you have 12, it seems a little scary to hit again, but it’s actually the smart thing to do, at least in the long-term. The dealer’s hand is weak, so he will probably hit at least once, and your only way to match him up, and very possibly beat him, is by hitting. Speaking of the long term, hitting against a 2 or 3 when you have a hard 12 will guarantee you a better return and lower potential losses.
#4 The Insurance Bet Isn’t Ideal
Most players would agree that the Insurance Bet isn’t ideal and they avoid it. Some guides recommend that the side bet is a wasted bet altogether, but that is entirely up to you to decide as a player. Perhaps, as a rookie, you don’t want to tangle with any side bet, but as you advance in skill and understanding of blackjack, there might be a handful of opportunities where that bet actually makes a lot of sense.
#5 Remember to Split Your 7’s Against the Dealer’s 2-7
This advice works against 4-8 deck versions of blackjack. Once again, statistics are at play here, indicating that your chances of winning with two hands against the dealers 7’s are better if you split. Some players may just call it quits here, but two 7’s are a fantastic starter’s hand. Now, there are a lot of “ifs” to consider as well. To clarify those, we have put together a simpler, more clinical guide that offers a good reference to the game and what to do in certain situations.
When to Hit, Stand, Surrender, or Split?
Casino Bee wants to provide you with the best possible information about one of the best card games we have had the pleasure to enjoy first hand as it were. Therefore, we have done our due diligence, researched and consulted the best authorities in the industry, and play-tested the tips we are about to give you. 4-deck and 8-deck blackjack tend to be the most popular versions of the game. We have tailored some useful tips for you for these specific games so that you know what the most appropriate action is based on your situation.
Hit or Stand
- Hit hard 11 or less
- Hit a soft 17 or less
- Stand on soft 19 or more
- Stand on hard 12 if the dealer’s hand is 4-6, hit in other case
- Stand on hard 13-16 if the dealer’s hand is 2-6, hit in other cases
Surrender
- Surrender hard 16 against a 9, 10, or A
- Do not surrender if the hand is 8’s
- Surrender hard 15 against dealer’s 10
Double
- Double your soft 15 or 16 if the dealer has 4-6
- Double your soft 17 or 18 if the dealer has 3-6
- Double your hard 9 if the dealer has 3-6
- Double your hard 10 except in the cases where the dealer has 10 or A
- Double your hard 11 against a dealer A
Split
- Don’t split your 5’s and 10’s
- Always split your 8’s and A’s
- Split 4’s against dealer’s 5 or 6 with a double after split
- Split 6’s against a dealer 3-6, or against 2 with a double after split
- Split 7’s if the dealer has 2-7
- Split 9’s against the dealer’s 2-6 or 8-9
Blackjack is a game that evolves constantly, and each version may be slightly different. That’s why these instances don’t exhaust every possible scenario. While these tips can be used as guidance, we recommend that you always test for yourself first and be convinced that a certain bet or play is in your best interest.
Blackjack Rules: A Crash Course
It never hurts to have a quick crash course on one of the most famous card game’s rules. You see, blackjack isn’t too complicated. In essence, it follows a very simple dynamic. The goal is to collect 21 points without busting, i.e. going over 21. Each card has its indicated value, but cards from 10 – K are actually worth 10 points. Aces are worth both 1 and 11 points, though. A hand that has an Ace is often described as a “soft hand,” i.e. you can benefit from the floating value of the Ace and take on different risks.
Cards are dealt with both the player(s) and the dealer. Before cards are given to each player, though, you will have to place your bet. Once you get your cards, you can now choose from several actions.
Hit – Add a Card
The first is “Hit”. A Hit action means that you want to get another card to your hand as you feel that your current hand is not strong enough. You can use Hit as many times as you like, but careful because you might just Bust, which is getting more than 21 in total. Each hand has its own dynamic, so you got to choose carefully when to Hit.
Stand – You Are Happy with Your Cards
A “Stand” option means that you are happy with your cards as they are. Now, what you need to do is wait for all the other players and the dealer to make their decisions. Once they do, the cards are revealed.
Double Down – Up the Bet Size
If you do want to “Double Down,” that means you feel very confident with your cards. You are so confident, in fact, that you would quite happily increase the value of your bet by 100% to challenge the dealer. When you double down, the dealer adds your hand another card from the deck. Afterwards, you will wait until the end of the round.
Split – Play with Two Cards
Then, we have “Split.” Split is the option whereby you decide to separate your two cards into two separate hands. You then bet the basic amount on both and get an additional card for each hand. The process here varies for variations. In some games, the cards are dealt at once. Meanwhile, other variations let you finish your first hand and then proceed with the other one that you split.
Now, you are playing with two hands against the dealer. Not all hands are worth splitting, though. The ones that are will depend on your current hand above all else.
Surrender – Call It Quits for Now
Last, we have the “Surrender” option which is used in cases when you are not at all sure your cards will get you anywhere. There is no shame in sounding a strategic retreat, of course.
Surrender does happen very rarely, though. Most players just try to play through with the hand they have and see what their cards bring them. In the long-term, it may as well be the more viable of any stratagems out there.
Live Dealer Blackjack Game Providers
Live dealer blackjack must be one of the most fun versions of the game you can play. Analogous blackjack is for sure dynamic, but if you want to bet on something that feels like a brick-and-mortar blackjack game, we strongly recommend that you pick a live dealer game. There are three distinct developers who have made sure that you can have fun playing live blackjack games, though. These are Evolution Gaming, NetEnt Live, and Playtech Live.
All three companies have developed a meaningful and fulfilling user interface, allowing you to enjoy high-quality graphics. But first, let’s face it, when you go to a brick-and-mortar casino, the gameplay can sometimes be a little slow. That is precisely what developers have sought to amend in the live dealer versions of those particular card games. They have introduced an overlay interface that allows you to bet and collect your winnings instantly, saving the dealer a lot of time.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy a pristine-clear picture that allows you to follow all cards in play and even change angles to make sure that everything is fair and square. The decks are still physical, and the dealer has to deal with cards, which adds realism to the bet. Once the two cards are dealt with, the additional betting may begin. But now, let’s look into the specific titles developed by some of the best iGaming software makers.
Evolution Gaming: Excellent Blackjack
Words often fail to describe the artistic creativity of Evolution Gaming, one of the companies behind some of the best live games in iGaming. Blackjack is, of course, no exception, and you will discover a great selection of awesome games.
As Evolution likes to say, the company adds value to gaming. Some of the most popular versions of the game developed by the studio include 21+3 and Perfect Pairs blackjack. There are ways to quicken the pace in most games, including Perfect Pairs, where you can choose from the DEAL NOW and Bet Behind options to make sure that the gameplay doesn’t drag its feet but is flying through!
Next, you have an even quicker-paced game, with Speed Blackjack, which has a slightly different dealing order. Infinite Blackjack is what the company describes as a “massively scalable” blackjack game. More popular versions by the studio include excellent choices such as Free Bet Blackjack and Power Blackjack.
For those looking for an exclusive blackjack experience, there is some good news. You can enjoy both VIP and Salon Prive Blackjack, and not least, Blackjack Party. Evolution also specialises in the different side bet options. For instance, the Perfect Pairs side bet which allows you to win even more if the first two cards that you receive make up a Mixed, Coloured, or Perfect Pairs. That’s a very tempting version of the game for sure. That’s why we are fans of Evolution’s games.
NetEnt: They Are Another Big Name
NetEnt Live is not a random studio. The company has multiple awards for developing some of the best games, and why not blackjack. One of the most famous and successful games in the blackjack section by NetEnt is Blackjack Common Draw. In 2019, the game was rebranded as Blitz Blackajck, and its popularity has grown among players and online casinos. Another popular version is the Perfect Blackjack. All in all, NetEnt Live doesn’t seem to add so much to the table games in terms of a variety of titles, but you can rest assured that each and every game is awesome and has an innovative twist to it.
Playtech: The Forefathers of Live Blackjack
Now, if there is one company that started it all, it must be Playtech. It is one of the oldest iGaming companies that has its fingers in all pies! One of the studio’s specialities is baccarat, but as far as card games go, there is also blackjack to enjoy and specifically the classic variant, and Blackjack Ultimate. Both games are worthwhile, and they are streamed from a quality studio and offer very professional gameplay that Casino Bee has no doubt you would enjoy yourself.
Playtech has been able to create one of the most lasting footprints in the iGaming industry. Now, we agree that with just a few blackjack games, this is still a modest developer in terms of blackjack. Yet, we still believe that you will definitely want to try the games by this studio.
Play Blackjack Today
Blackjack has one of the most exciting gameplays out of all casino games. The game is a fairly modern invention. It first appeared in the early 20th century, but it has become one of the defining gambling experiences. Whether you are playing this card game in a brick-and-mortar casino or having fun at an online site, you can rest assured that blackjack is one of the most entertaining games you can get your hands on today.
There are many bonuses to pick from and strategies to try. The dealer always has a small edge. If you play smart, though, you will pretty soon realise that you can turn any two cards into a winning hand. And, as any good player, consider when to split your pair and when to use surrender. Take the insurance if you know there is a point to it. Use your chips sparingly, so they bring you the most returns. Don’t forget to take the number of decks into considerations. All in all, there are many ways to beat the dealers, and that’s the beauty of the blackjack games. This could be getting a blackjack straightly with your first two cards or getting perfect pairs.
Regardless of all, this card game will definitely satisfy your expectations. Ready to start beating the dealers? Great, let’s play some blackjack!
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