Blackjack is the most widely played casino game in the world. Often referred to as ‘twenty-one’, blackjack has captured the imagination of gamblers since the 17th century. The fascination with the game lies in its flexibility. Like poker, online blackjack requires a blend of both skill and luck to beat the house. But unlike other popular casino games such as roulette, blackjack players have a lot of control over post-betting action. This article reveals the best blackjack casino in the UK. It will also detail the best blackjack variants and winning strategies.
Blackjack, formerly also Black Jack and Vingt-Un, is the American member of a global family of banking games known as Twenty-One, whose relatives include the British game of Pontoon and the European game, Vingt-et-Un. It is a comparing card game between one or more players and a dealer, where each player in turn competes against the dealer. Players do not compete against each other. Instead, blackjack dealers draw cards or stand on their hands according to the forced rules specified by the gambling establishments. These forced dealer rules vary depending on the gambling hall and the blackjack table you play at, but are generally classified into two main groups. The dealer is either required to draw to 16 and force-stand on. In Blackjack, each card has a value that remains constant throughout the game.2 X Research source The goal is to beat the dealer and also not bust with a 22 or more. Here are their values: Number cards: The number is the value of the card. Blackjack Basic Table Rules When you play the house, you play against the casino, which is represented by the dealer. The dealer deals one card face up to each player, from left to right, with the last card going to the house’s hand, which is face down. The dealer will then deal one card facing up. Any blackjack system that you choose to use, including ours, is only effective if you use it the way it was intended to be used. If you take shortcuts and omit parts of the system, the system will not work. In short, a system is only as effective as you make it through hours of practice and play.
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These online casinos are especially well-suited for blackjack players due to favourable table limits, a wide selection of interesting variants and reliable software. For new players, these casinos offer the best welcome bonuses with wagering requirements suited to online blackjack.
The Best Online Blackjack Games in the UK
There is a ton of blackjack games to choose from at most casino sites, but most of them differ not only in the rules of play and sidebets, but also in the payouts that they feature. We have chosen for you a list of the highest paying online blackjack games:
The transition from land-based casinos to online has brought with it several advantages to players. Perhaps the biggest difference, in terms of blackjack sites online, is variety. Online casinos today offer lots of variations on the classic blackjack formula that traditional casinos simply cannot match. These new games come with different rules and can change the way dealers draw cards, as well as increasing potential player actions and betting opportunities. Let’s look at some of the more interesting blackjack games in the UK today. To see how the game has developed throughout history to its current forms, read up on blackjack history.
Play 21 Duel Blackjack
In this blackjack casino game, players can combine one or two cards from their dealt hand with one or two of the community cards dealt for all players. Think of it like a cross between Texas Hold’em poker and blackjack. The dealer also uses the community cards to create the best possible hand, and qualifies with 13 or better. When choosing the communal card, the dealer must create the best possible hand according to a predetermined rank of hands. For example, if the communal cards are 2 and 10 and the dealer’s card is an 8, then the dealer will choose the 2 from communal cards as the hand 8-2 has a higher rank than 8-10. Check the hand composition list before you play. If the dealer’s hand is worth less than 13, the dealer doesn’t qualify and you win the round, even if your point total is lower than the dealer’s. Most 21 Duel Blackjack games allow side bets for three-of-a-kind and pairs. This popular take on the classic 21 formula can be found at many Playtech-powered caisnos in the UK.
Play Blackjack Switch
Switch is played using two hands, with a separate wager for each. Double-handed play is common in blackjack, but what’s unique here is the ability to switch cards between the two hands to create a more favourable pairing. If you decide to switch, you need to do so before starting to play your first hand. After opting to hit, split, double or take insurance, you can no longer switch. The dealer must hit on soft 17, further swinging the balance in favour of the player. Super Match odds are also included paying increased odds on pairs, three-of-a-kind and four-of-a-kind. Side bets such as Super Match are optional and require an extra stake to play. The super bet wins if your four initial cards contain two or more cards of the same value, two 6s for example, in any order. Switch is one of the very few games where the house edge is actually a positive figure in favour of the player. When played with eight decks Blackjack Switch can provide an edge of 0.02% against the house.
Play Spanish 21
Spanish Blackjack is played with eight decks of 48 cards, with the four 10s removed. The variation in this unique deck alters the blackjack strategy required to beat it. The dealer hits on soft 17 in Spanish 21, and most operators will offer bonus payouts for this game. The main rule difference between classic blackjack and Spanish 21 is that a player’s 21 always beats a dealer’s 21. A late surrender rule also allows the option of surrendering and forfeiting half of an original bet if a player is dealt two unfavourable cards in the hole. It’s also possible to surrender after doubling down. This extra safety net is known as Double Down Rescue. In Spanish 21, a five-card 21 pays 3 to 2, a six-card 21 pays 2 to 1, a seven or more card 21 pays 3 to 1. There also extra bonus payouts of up to 50 to 1 for mini poker hands such as 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 with some operators. Mixed suits tend to pay 3 to 2 but matching suits pay 2 to 1. Spanish 21 is a classic blackjack gameplay experience with vastly different odds and strategy.
Play Double Attack Blackjack
Played with the same 48-card deck as Spanish 21, Double Attack Blackjack adds more ways to take on the dealer. After the dealer receives an initial card face up, the option is available to attack the house with a separate bet up to the value of the original stake. Players that place a Double Attack bet against a face card or ace will only lose the initial bet if the dealer has blackjack. The option to surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack adds another layer to the decision making for the player. Bust It side bets are an independent wager you can make on top of the regular game bet. You can bet that the dealer busts with exactly three cards. Odds start at 3 to 1 for the dealer going bust whilst holding a face card, and rise to 200 to 1 for a bust with three suited 8s. The game can be found in around half of the casinos in Atlantic City, and remains popular today in the best online casinos in the UK. Keen to play? Try it for free in our guide!
Play Double Exposure Blackjack
Double Exposure Blackjack is a variation where both the dealer’s cards are dealt face up. The game was invented by American game theorist, Richard Arnold Epstein, author of several popular books and consultant to casinos in Macao. The ability to see both the dealer’s hole cards affects play dramatically. Knowing when to hit and stand becomes easier for the player. The trade-off is the dealer wins all ties except for tied blackjack. Tied blackjacks either push or go to the player. Player blackjack also pays evens, instead of 3 to 2. Players can also only split a single time in Double Exposure blackjack. There are also rules that vary depending on the operator. Whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, for example. The house edge for Double Exposure is slightly higher than classic blackjack, but the additional information available to players allows for a more efficient strategy to be employed. If you’re a good card player, you’ll take all the extra information you can get and use it to your advantage.
These variations add an extra layer of strategy to the play and the typical house edge tends to be lower than in classic blackjack games. With RTP rates as high as 99%, it’s possible to enjoy blackjack for longer periods whilst still holding off the house. Master one of these variations, and the potential for large returns is entirely possible.
Play Live Blackjack
The most contemporary and immersive way to enjoy playing blackjack online is at one of the ever-growing number of live tables. Live blackjack sites stream directly from a real land-based casino or studio and are dealt by a human dealer. Online players interact with the play using virtual chips, as if sitting at the blackjack casino table. Interaction with others at the table, as well as with the dealer, is done via an integrated chat system. This is as close to going to a casino in your pyjamas as you can get.
The quality of HD live streams is now at an excellent stage. Look for anything operated by Evolution Gaming. The live specialists have raised the bar for this kind of gaming experience in recent years, and have even added variations such as party blackjack to the mix to further fuel the atmosphere. If you’re looking for a completely transparent and authentic blackjack experience, don’t accept less than live.
The Advantages of Online Blackjack
Blackjack online is very different from blackjack in a land-based casino. In fact, there are several significant advantages to playing online that cannot be gained down at your local dice joint. Such as the following:
- No time limits – you can take your time to think about your options
- Lots of variation – for example multi-hand for experienced players, and double exposure games
- It’s 24/7 – and can be played for real money anytime with flexible table limits
- It’s Accessible – and easier for beginners to get started online since you can learn how to play and practice for free
- Mobile blackjack allows for play everywhere – most casino apps offer at least one blackjack game
Whilst the selection of mobile blackjack games is still fairly limited, the market is improving all the time. For more information on playing blackjack and other casino games on the go, visit my mobile casino page.
Other Blackjack Articles
Blackjack is a game of strategy and mathematical thinking, as opposed to slots, where it’s more a matter of how much you bet. Blackjack, on the other hand, has certain rules that if you play by, you stand a higher chance of being quids in at the end of the day. So, without further ado, here is a list of useful blackjack articles:
The Rules of Blackjack
The goal of blackjack is very simple: each player faces the dealer in a head-to-head duel. Closest to 21 with two or more cards wins. Players receive two cards face up. The dealer also receives two hole cards. Players then have several options. Standing means sticking with what you’ve got. Hitting means taking another card from the deck. The option to separate a pair of matching cards into two hands mid-round is called splitting. The player is responsible for matching the stake on the second hand. Players may also ‘double-down’, which involves increasing the original bet by 100% in exchange for only receiving one more card. Though there are many more blackjack terms to keep up with, standing, hitting, doubling and splitting are ones you’re bound to see each time. Winning bets are paid at evens. If players are dealt a hand worth 21 points in the hole, blackjack is announced and an instant win is called. Blackjack pays out higher odds than regular wins, usually at 3 to 2.
Numbered cards are valued as presented, with all pictures cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) counting as ten each. Aces are counted at either one or ten, depending on which is best for the player in any given situation. Aces can change their value mid-round if beneficial to the player. Remember, what the dealer is holding is JUST as important as what the player is holding in blackjack. If the dealer’s hand is 16 or less, the dealer must hit. If the dealer’s hand is 17 or higher, the dealer must stand. These rules may vary depending on the game variation, and some games – such as Blackjack Surrender – include an option to quit the hand mid-way through, saving part of your stake.
Your Chances of Winning Side Bets
Like every other casino game, online blackjack is designed to give the house a slight edge. When playing with eight decks, the house edge is 0.65%. However, this advantage varies from game to game. When playing with a single deck, the advantage drops to 0.17%. With good strategy, this edge can be even lower. Compared to other casino games, your chances of winning at blackjack are remarkably high.
In addition to the regular stake, blackjack tables offer side bets. These bets predict the outcome of various events that are not strictly limited to the chasing of twenty-one. In Perfect Pairs blackjack, for example, players can bet on the possibility of being dealt a pair in the hole. Mixed pairs are paid out 7 to 1, and cards of matching value and suit are paid at 30 to 1. Progressive jackpots, much like you see in the slots market, can also be added to blackjack online games for added value.
The typical RTP rate for these side bets in blackjack is somewhere between 95 – 98%. Compared to slots or roulette, this is still a very good rate. However, compared to a one-deck game of blackjack played well, it’s poor. My advice regarding side bets would be, think about why you are playing. If you’re into blackjack for the thrills and the chance of winning big, go for the side bets, they’re great fun. If you are the type of player who is looking to grind out a profit and wants the best RTP rate possible, avoiding the side bets is best.
The Best Blackjack Strategies
Blackjack is a game of both good fortune and skill. Therefore, blackjack can be played well or badly, and strategy plays a huge role in your chances of success. Perfect blackjack strategy relies on mathematical probability. Blackjack strategy charts can be used to maximize wins, and minimize losses when playing blackjack over longer periods. Don’t be swayed too easily by what you might have seen in some blackjack movies – breaking the bank takes a lot more than that.
Card Counting is another strategy used in blackjack to further swing the odds in the player’s favour. By keeping a running count of what cards have been dealt, and are therefore dead, card-counters can bet big when the chances of catching valuable cards are high. Card counting is not strictly illegal, but land-based casinos employ several counter measures to prevent it. Check out the best online casino in the UK for using these strategies.
Blackjack is one of the very few casino-banked card games where the decisions players make have a direct impact on their long-term chances of winning and preserving their bankrolls. Whether you make the correct plays or not will ultimately determine whether you emerge as a long-term winner or loser.
When you join a blackjack table, the two most fundamental playing decisions you are facing are whether to hit or stand on your hand. Ironically, these two decisions rank last in the order of plays you can exercise at the blackjack table.
The reason for this is simple – unlike surrendering, splitting, and doubling, you can hit or stand on hands that comprise any number of cards whereas the other moves are possible only on two-card totals. Both plays are accompanied by specific hand gestures which differ depending on whether you join a shoe-dealt table or a pitch game.
The great thing about blackjack is that the game combines elements of luck, skill, and strategy. There is no need to rely on gut feelings in order to make the correct move. All you have to do is memorize basic blackjack strategy. It gives you the foundation of becoming a successful blackjack player by telling you when to hit your hand and when to stand.
Hitting a Hand in Blackjack
A new round at the blackjack table starts with everyone receiving two cards that comprise their starting hands. This includes the dealer who normally receives their first card up while their second card is dealt face-down. The players would either receive their two cards face-up in shoe-dealt blackjack or face-down in pitch games where only one or two decks are in play.
At this point, each player takes a good look at their initial two-card hand, checks the dealer’s exposed card, and decides whether to take a hit or not. Hitting is the first most common decision one makes at the blackjack table. It involves the player requesting additional cards on their initial hand.
In multiple-deck games dealt out of a shoe, the player indicates they want to hit either with a beckoning gesture with their finger or by tapping the felt next to their two cards. In pitch games where you receive your cards face down, a hit is indicated by lightly scraping the felt with your two cards.
Players are allowed to take as many hits as they like unless the last card drawn to their hand causes it to break, i.e. go over 21. You can hit any total, with the exception of pat blackjacks which automatically stand.
The main reason for drawing additional cards is to try and improve the value of your hand. Your hitting decisions are influenced by two factors – the current total of your hand and the upcard the dealer is showing.
Standing on a Hand in Blackjack
Standing on a hand is practically the opposite of hitting. The player is satisfied with their current hand value and declines additional cards from the dealer. Similarly to hitting, this decision must be designated with a physical gesture for the purpose of hindering cheaters and preventing misunderstandings on behalf of the dealer and surveillance.
This physical motion involves waving your palm horizontally over your two cards in shoe-dealt games. The gesture is different in single-deck and double-deck games where standing is indicated by sliding the corners of your cards under the chips you have originally placed in your betting box.
Forced Standing Rules for Dealers and Their Variations
Unlike blackjack players, the house representative who deals the cards does not make any decisions when playing out their hand. Instead, blackjack dealers draw cards or stand on their hands according to the forced rules specified by the gambling establishments.
These forced dealer rules vary depending on the gambling hall and the blackjack table you play at, but are generally classified into two main groups. The dealer is either required to draw to 16 and force-stand on all totals of 17 or must draw to 16, stand on hard 17 and hit soft 17. The dealer standing rule is printed on the layout, which makes it easy for players to distinguish what table they are playing.
Blackjack Rules Printable
Which of the two dealer rules is better from the perspective of the player, though? To answer this question, we must first explain what a soft 17 is. This is a hand that contains an Ace whose value is flexible, i.e. it can be either 1 or 11, like in the following two examples – A-6 and A-2-4. Due to the fluctuating value of the Ace, one such soft hand practically has two totals, 7 and 17.
The dealer forced standing rules should be always taken into consideration because they have a direct impact on basic strategy as well as on the house edge. A total of 17 is not strong enough in blackjack where the average winning hand totals 18.5. A dealer who hits soft 17 is less susceptible to exceeding 21 and thus, losing because of the flexible value of the Ace.
If a higher-ranking card is drawn, the dealer’s Ace will count as 1. This practically makes it impossible for them to bust by taking one more card. However, if they happen to catch a small card like a deuce on the next hit, it gets them into the safe zone and they can outdraw the player, who always stands on hard 17 according to basic strategy.
A dealer who hits soft 17 (H17) increases the house edge by 0.22%. This may seem like a small increase in the casino’s advantage but nevertheless, it leads to higher hourly losses in the long term for the basic strategy player.
Assuming you play at a full table where you flat bet at the minimum of $5 and go through 60 hands per hour on average, you will lose roughly ($5 x 60 x 0.22)/100 = $0.66 per hour due to the soft 17 rule alone.
Of course, these figures apply only over the long run where thousands of hands are involved. Nevertheless, a smart blackjack player always favors tables where the dealer stands on all 17 over those where they hit soft 17.
Key Basic Strategy Plays for Hitting and Standing
Basic strategy tells blackjack players when it is the correct time to hit and when they should stand, among other things. The decision is based on the upcard of the dealer and the player’s hand total. Basic strategy is proven to reduce the house edge, but some of the hitting and standing decisions it suggests also aim at minimizing the long-term losses players incur in unfavorable situations. With that said, you cannot overcome the house edge entirely with basic strategy alone.
The correct plays are influenced by a variety of factors which include the above-mentioned dealer forced rules, the number of decks incorporated into the game, and the possible rule variations at different blackjack tables.
The strategy is normally presented in a table format. Here are several of the most important standing and hitting decisions recommended by basic strategy for multiple-deck games where the dealer force-stands on all 17s:
- Always hit totals 4 through 8 regardless of what card the dealer shows
- Stand on hard totals of 12 if the dealer exposes small cards 4 through 6 and hit your hard 12 against all other dealer cards
- Hit 16 against a dealer with a ten-value card or Ace, otherwise surrender if allowed
- Always hit soft totals 13 through 17 and stand on soft 19
- Stand on soft totals of 18 unless the dealer is showing high cards like 9, 10, and Ace. If so, hit your soft 18.
- Stand on all hard totals of 17 or higher
Deviations from Basic-Strategy Hitting and Standing Decisions
Learning basic strategy is an absolute must for anyone who insists on becoming a winning blackjack player. With that said, basic strategy relies on limited information. It tells you the optimal plays you can make in any given situation after you have received your first two cards and have seen the dealer’s exposed card.
However, it does not take into account the way the composition of the deck or shoe changes as more and more cards are removed from play. These changes in composition are important because they have a direct impact on the house edge.
If more ten-value cards and Aces remain to be dealt, the edge swings over in favor of the player and vice versa, the dealer has an advantage when the remaining shoe or deck is richer in small cards. Smart players have learned to exploit this peculiarity of the game by keeping track of the ratio of high to low cards that remain to be dealt.
This is known as card counting. The player keeps a running count as each card is dealt out of the shoe and then converts it into a true count. This conversion is necessary for shoe games and involves the division of the current running count by the number of decks that remain in play.
A high positive true count indicates the shoe is rich in high cards and vice versa, a negative true count means more small cards are still in play. Using this information, well-versed players would deviate from basic strategy for certain hitting and standing decisions. The plays suggested by the strategy are based on a neutral deck or shoe and are no longer optimal after the composition changes.
A Couple of Examples for Hitting and Standing Deviations
Blackjack pros resort to using indices for their playing deviations. An index is a number that tells you at what true count you must diverge from the basic strategy. Let’s use hard 12 against a dealer with a deuce as an example just to give you a better idea of how playing deviations for hitting and standing work.
A basic strategy chart for multiple-deck games under the S17 rule recommends you to hit your 12 against a 2. However, this play is no longer optimal once you arrive at a true count of +3. Now, there are more tens and face cards you can bust with. Therefore, you must deviate from basic strategy and stand on your 12 against the 2 when the true count is +3 or higher.
Another example is a hand of hard 16 against a dealer with a 9 as their upcard. According to basic strategy, you must hit your hard 16 against the 9 if surrender is unavailable. Unfortunately, this decision is a bad one on high positive counts of +5 or above. Respectively, the player stands (the pun was unintentional) better chances of winning if they refrain from drawing more cards because hitting is more likely to break their 16 in shoes that are rich in tens.
And one final example with a hard 13 versus a dealer showing a 3, in which case you should stand according to basic strategy. This may be a good idea in a neutral shoe but it becomes unprofitable on negative counts.
The index for this hand is -2, which is to say you deviate from basic strategy when the true count drops to -2 or lower by choosing to hit instead of standing. At this point, there are more small cards than high cards to help you improve your hand and minimize the risk of breaking it.
Blackjack Rules List
Playing deviations are great not only for hitting and standing but for all other possible moves in blackjack, like doubling, splitting, surrendering, and buying insurance. Not only do these deviations enable the player to generate more EV in the long term but they also reduce risk and help you tame variance.
Blackjack Rules Wikihow Card Game
With that said, it is impossible to use them without committing basic strategy to memory first, so we suggest this is where you start if you take your blackjack game seriously.