How to play blackjack online

By Lauri Hannelin. Updated:

Learn to play blackjack online with our help. Bojoko gives you a complete guide to blackjack.

No matter if you're a newcomer or a seasoned player, we've got you covered. We show you how to play online blackjack and explain everything you need to know about the game.  

Discover the ins and outs of playing online blackjack, from blackjack basics to more advanced strategies. We'll provide you with the knowledge you need for a satisfying experience.

Table of contents

What is blackjack?

Blackjack explained

Blackjack is one of the most popular and iconic card games. You play against the dealer, aiming to build a hand that is higher than the dealer's in order to win. Blackjack is a simple game that is great for beginners.

At its core, blackjack is about getting closer to 21 points than the dealer without going over. If you go over 21, you bust and lose. This rule affects both players and the dealer, ramping up the game's excitement.

Success in blackjack is more than just luck; it's about employing the right strategies at the right time. You have to make smart decisions, like deciding when to get another card or when to keep your cards as they are.

Blackjack is a game that combines strategy, skill, and luck. The more you understand these tactics, the more interesting it is to play. 

How to play blackjack

To play blackjack you need to understand the game. Here's how a blackjack hand unfolds.

  1. You choose your bet and place a wager
  2. You're dealt two cards face-up
  3. The dealer receives two cards, one face-up and one face-down
  4. You decide whether to take more cards or stand
  5. The blackjack dealer plays the hand
  6. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win!

You have to make wise moves to reach a winning total. This goes down to the choice of "hit" or "stand". Hit to get another card and stand to keep your current total.

The ultimate goal in blackjack is to beat the dealer's hand. You aim to have a higher total than the blackjack dealer, but not more than 21. 

If you're dealt a low total (like 12), you want to hit for another card. If you have a strong hand (like 18), standing is the better choice. You beat the dealer with any number higher than what they have, as long as you don't go over 21, which is busting.

Learning how to play online blackjack is easy once you get the hang of it. Learn the blackjack basics, and soon you'll make decisions like a pro.

Blackjack table

The blackjack table is a semicircular table with up to 12 playing positions. Although most blackjack tables have seven spots, there are some that only have five. The blackjack dealer stands behind the table, facing the players on the other side.

Understanding the blackjack table:

  1. Betting area - Each player has a designated spot for their bets, facing the dealer. 
  2. Your chips - Choose your bet and place your wagers.
  3. Card display - As the round begins, your cards will be placed on top of your betting area. The dealer's up card is shown opposite you.
  4. Action buttons - Once you have your cards, you'll see buttons for actions like "Hit," "Stand," "Double Down," and "Split."
  5. Game information - You can see the blackjack rules and other information about the variant you are playing.

Blackjack table example

Blackjack cards values

Understanding the blackjack card values is a fundamental aspect of the game. Once you get your first two cards, you must assess your hand's potential and determine your best move. 

Understanding blackjack card game

As you assess your blackjack cards and decide on your move, other players' cards also count. For instance, if you have a tough hand of 16 and the player next to you gets a face card, your choice might change. If you want to get better at the game, learning advanced strategies like blackjack card counting can really help.

Blackjack for beginners

Blackjack is an easy game to learn, even for beginners. Learning the blackjack rules and grasping the fundamentals are crucial to play blackjack online.

First off, understanding how to play blackjack requires you to know how to work out the blackjack hand.

This is simple, just add up the card values. For example, if you're dealt a 7 and an 8, your hand is worth 15. If you hit and get a 3 as the next card, your total becomes 18. If you get more than 21, you bust and lose the hand. The same goes for the dealer.

The ace is a special blackjack card. It can be worth either 1 or 11, depending what suits your hand better. If you get a 10 and an ace as your first cards, you have a blackjack – a perfect total of 21.

blackjack ace rules explained

How to play blackjack in an online casino

To play online blackjack, you'll need to follow a few simple steps to get started. Fortunately, playing blackjack online is way easier than in brick-and-mortar casinos. Online blackjack tables are available as live streams from physical studios or as virtual tables.

How to play online blackjack:

  1. Choose a reputable casino with a great blackjack selection. You can browse our blackjack casinos page for all the top-rated sites.
  2. Register and deposit.
  3. Navigate to the blackjack card games section.
  4. Select a blackjack variant that suits your preferences.
  5. You are ready to start playing!

Modern blackjack tables offer an authentic experience. They combine innovative technology and classic gameplay for a dynamic blackjack experience.

You can't learn how to win in online blackjack instantly. Practicing regularly and developing a strong understanding of the blackjack basics are key to succeeding in online blackjack.

Here are online casinos with great blackjack options.

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Blackjack rules

The rules of blackjack are simple. Anyone can learn how to play blackjack in little time. This is one of the main reasons the game is so popular.

Basic blackjack rules

The basics of blackjack help you understand the fundamental principles of the game. This starts with the options you have once your cards are dealt.

Depending on your hand, you can do one of these moves.

  • Hit - Ask for one more card to improve your hand. Be careful, going over 21 means you lose.
  • Stand - Keep your current hand as it is, with no more cards.
  • Double Down - Double your original bet and get one more card. 
  • Split - If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two hands. 

You also need to pay attention to the blackjack dealer. The dealer follows blackjack rules that affect the game.

Here are the key points to remember.

  • The dealer also receives two cards, one face-up and one face-down.
  • The dealer follows strict blackjack rules. They must hit until their hand reaches at least 17 points and stand once they do so.
  • If the dealer's gets a blackjack with their initial two cards, you automatically lose unless you also have a blackjack.

Blackjack payouts

The standard blackjack payouts are 1:1 for regular wins and 3:2 for blackjack wins. If you win without hitting blackjack 21, you get paid 1:1. But if your blackjack cards make a perfect 21, that's a blackjack win, and you're paid 3:2. 

These are the main payout rules to remember when you play blackjack online:

Rules of blackjack payouts

More advanced blackjack rules

There are advanced blackjack rules that experienced players can use. These tactics are not required if you want to know how to win in blackjack online.

  • Surrender - Some blackjack games let you give up and get back half your bet. This option is rare in online blackjack.
  • Insurance - Only offered when the dealer's visible card is an ace. It guards against dealer blackjack, costing half your bet. It's often best to avoid this risky option as it does not favour the player.
  • Even money - Also a side bet for a blackjack hand when the dealer has an ace. It pays out immediately, avoiding a potential tie, but it's often not a favorable choice due to its odds.

Different blackjack games for real money

We've put together a quick rundown of the most popular blackjack games. If you want to learn more about the rules and nuances of the games, you can access comprehensive information through the links provided in each section.

American Blackjack

American blackjack is a popular variation of the classic blackjack game.

The most widely played variant of blackjack, commonly referred to as American blackjack, can be found in almost all casinos around the globe.

The dealer receives two cards from the start, one face-up and one facedown. If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace or a 10-value card, they check for blackjack before players move further.

In American Blackjack, the dealer is required to stand on all totals of 17 or higher, including soft 17. Players can surrender, double down, and split.

Please note that the game has two versions: Las Vegas and Atlantic City. There are slight differences between the variants. 


European blackjack

European blackjack is a popular variation of the classic blackjack game.

European blackjack is classic and one of the most popular variants of the game. In this version, the dealer receives only one initial card face-up.

Players commonly play the game with six decks. Doubling down is allowed for hard totals of 9, 10, or 11. In specific versions, splitting pairs like fours, fives, or tens might be prohibited, notably in UK Blackjack.

Doubling after splitting is permitted, and the dealer reveals the facedown card once players have made their choices.


Blackjack Multihand

Blackjack multihand is a popular variation of the classic blackjack game.

This version allows players to play multiple hands simultaneously against the dealer. It adds an extra layer of strategy, as you need to make decisions for each hand individually. Many casinos allow playing with up to five hands at the same time.

You can play multihand Blackjack with various rules, including European or American variations, single deck, double exposure and many more.


Free bet blackjack

Free bet blackjack is a popular variation of the classic blackjack game.

Free bet blackjack offers a unique variation where players can double down and split for free on specific hands. If the dealer busts with 22, all non-busted player hands push instead of winning unless the player has a blackjack.

You can't surrender in this game, but you can double down with a free bet on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11. You can still double down for other totals, but you'll have to pay for it. If you win with a free double, you get your original wager back plus a payout equal to double the free bet. Pairs, except tens, can be split for free, replacing the house token with real chips. Free splits also grant you access to free doubles and re-splits.

Free bet blackjack is attractive to casual players because it provides make bets for free.


Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is a popular variation of the classic blackjack game.

This game boasts a distinctive twist, wherein every player receives two hands and can opt to swap the top cards of each hand to boost their odds of victory. Usually, classic blackjack rules are in effect, with a few exceptions aside.

There are specific rules to balance the advantage of switching; for example, the dealer won the game with a hand of 22. It's also worth noting that blackjack only pays out even odds in this particular game instead of the usual 3 to 2 ratio.


Practise playing blackjack

Enhance your blackjack skills through practise and repetition. The more you play, the better you'll become at making strategic decisions and managing your bets effectively. 

If you're looking for a reliable tool to practise, try our free blackjack simulator. This tool includes a full practise mode with play money, basic strategy drills and a chart, card counting drills, and a complete blackjack rules tutorial. It's a fantastic resource to help you hone your skills in a risk-free environment.

Practise makes perfect.

Learn to play blackjack with the blackjack simulator

Online blackjack tips - Enhance your odds of winning

Enhance your chances with these online blackjack tips. A well-thought-out strategy will always get you further than going in blindfolded.

By integrating these online blackjack tips into your gameplay, you can refine your strategy and increase your potential for success. Remember, strategic play and prudent decision-making can make all the difference at the blackjack table.

Bankroll management

Effective bankroll management is the cornerstone of successful blackjack play. Allocate a specific portion of your total gambling funds as your blackjack budget.

Experts recommend using no more than 5% of your bankroll for any given session. For individual bets, a common guideline is to wager around 2% of your in-game funds per round. This strategic approach helps safeguard your funds, extend your gameplay, and minimize the risk of substantial losses.

Card counting

Card counting is a way of tracking the dynamics of a deck. As a player, it's advantageous to know when there are more high cards left in the deck and when there are more low cards.

Assign values to cards and maintain a running count based on the cards dealt. By keeping track of the count, you can adjust your bets in response to the changing odds.

In simple terms, you assign values of +1, 0 and -1 to cards in the following way:

While counting cards, you need to keep a mental tally of the blackjack cards played and their total sum, according to the score system explained above. This number tells you when the deck is in your favour.

Blackjack basic strategy

The basic strategy is a mathematically sound guide on when you should hit, stand, split and double down. Basically, using a combination of blackjack odds and statistics, basic strategy shows you how to play all hands in all situations.

Use the blackjack basic strategy to make optimal decisions based on your hand and the dealer's up card. This strategy enhances your decision-making process and minimises losses.

Choose your table

When selecting a blackjack table, opt for those that offer a 3:2 payout ratio for blackjack hands. A 3:2 payout yields greater returns compared to the 6:5 alternative. This choice significantly impacts your winnings, as 3:2 tables offer a better overall return rate.

For example, if you're playing at a 3:2 table and bet £10, blackjack earns you a £15 profit (i.e. 1.5X your stake). This, plus your stake back means your total return is £25. Bet £10 at a 6:5 table and blackjack earns you a £12 profit (i.e. 1.2X your stake).

Prefer fewer decks

Optimize your odds by selecting games played with fewer decks. In general, games with fewer decks contribute to a lower house edge, favoring the player. While more decks may seem to offer more chances of hitting blackjack, the decreased probability of doing so outweighs the advantage.

Blackjack bonuses

Most online casinos offer bonuses to boost your gameplay, with some even tailored for blackjack. You can take advantage of these offers to play more hands and maximise your returns. 

Look for bonuses that:

View our list of the best blackjack bonuses if you want to find casinos offering these types of bonuses.

FAQ

Blackjack is a popular card game where the goal is to get a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over.

The basics of blackjack involve getting a hand value close to 21 without exceeding it. Face cards are worth 10, Aces can be 1 or 11, and numbered cards are their face value.

The rules of 21 blackjack are simple, you compete against the dealer. Players are dealt two cards, and they can hit (take more cards) or stand (keep current cards). The dealer follows specific rules for their hand.

The king is worth 10 points in blackjack.

The number of decks in blackjack games can vary, but common choices include four, six or eight decks.

 

About the author

Lauri Hannelin

Article by:

Lauri Hannelin

Lauri, a passionate casino enthusiast, embarked on his journey in the gambling industry in 2019. His career has spanned various facets of the iGaming world, from technical and commercial roles to innovative positions in online casino and sports betting companies. This diverse experience has not only deepened his understanding of the industry but also shaped him into an all-around expert in online casinos.

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