Blackjack is an all-time classic card game. It attracts players from every corner of the planet with its mixof skill and luck. It’s probably the most popular casino game and we are not surprised – after all, there are not many games that require so much skills and precision.
But not every players gets it right. That’s why we’ve created our new guide. It will show you the rules, strategies, variations, and the best places to play it.
Stay tuned, because we’re just getting started!
What are the blackjack rules?
Blackjack is played with one or more standard 52-card decks. The goal is to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Number cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10, and aces can be 1 or 11.
Players are dealt two cards and can choose to hit (take another card), stand (keep their current hand), double down (double their bet and take one more card), split pairs, or take insurance if the dealer’s up card is an ace.
The dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or higher. Players win if their hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without busting. Blackjack (an ace and any 10-value card) beats a 21 hand.
Most common blackjack terms
Of course, you cannot move forward without the terms. You don’t need to learn all of them right from the start, but here are the main ones that you have to learn before you start betting on the most interesting game.
- Hit – Request an additional card
- Stand – Keep your current hand and end your turn
- Double Down – Double your initial bet and receive one more card
- Split – Separate a pair into two hands, with an additional bet
- Blackjack – An Ace and a 10-value card
- Hard Hand – No Ace, or Ace counted as 1
- Soft Hand – Ace counted as 11
- Push – Tie between player’s and dealer’s hands
- Insurance – Side bet when dealer’s up card is an Ace
- Surrender – Forfeit half your bet and end your hand
- Resplit – Split a pair again if dealt another same-value card
- Dealer Bust – Dealer’s hand exceeds 21
The best blackjack betting strategies
Blackjack has many fans worldwide because you can actually build a strategy and boost your chances to win. Let’s see the main ones. And we will give you some more which are more in the “grey” area (but are fun to know!)
Martingale system
The Martingale system is a popular betting strategy among blackjack players. You double your bet after every loss, so when you finally do hit a win, it recoups all your previous losses plus a nice profit on top. Sounds great in theory. Well, while it can prove great “on paper”, it requires meticulous bankroll management, as an long losing streak rapidly depletes funds. If you do try the Martingale, you have to stay super disciplined with managing your bankroll. Even then, your potential upside is capped.
Paroli system
For a slightly lower risk approach, a lot of players prefer something like the Paroli system. The Paroli lets you take advantage of hot streaks without getting in too deep during cold ones. The system lets players capitalize on winning streaks while limiting potential losses. However, you should be disciplined and avoid chasing losses – because chasing could turn very costly on your nerves…and wallet.
1-3-2-6 system
The 1-3-2-6 system is a versatile betting strategy which is applicable to various casino games, but mostly in blackjack and sports betting. The name points to the sequence of bet progressions – start with one unit, increase to three units after a win, decrease to two units after another win, and increase to six units if you are in luck again. The system maximizes profits during winning streaks while minimizing losses during losing streaks. Or that’s what it does in the “perfect case.”
Oscar’s Grind
Now if you really want to nerd out, check out Oscar’s Grind. So you might go $5 > $10 > $20 after three wins, then drop to $5 > $2.50 after a loss. The system try to balance the aggressive betting during winning streaks and a bit more conservative betting during losing streaks. While requiring careful money management, Oscar’s Grind proves a rewarding strategy when executed correctly.
Card Counting
Some players employ card counting, which means that you can “count” dealt cards to gain an advantage when the remaining deck favors betting. It requires mental calculations and can add excitement to the game. However, card counting, along with shuffle tracking, hole carding, and team play, will cause you some trouble. And if you don’t know how it ends, you can watch the movie “21”.
Shuffle Tracking
Shuffle tracking is a method where players observe how the dealer shuffles cards to identify patterns or favourable conditions. It serves as a strategic approach to enhance one’s chances in the game. However, casino staff remain vigilant about such practices. So, it’s not a good idea as well.
Hole Carding
Hole carding involves attempting to glimpse the dealer’s face-down card, which aims to gain an advantage by knowing its value. It represents an attempt to gather additional information to inform game decisions. However, most casinos consider hole carding unethical and may lead to consequences if detected.
Team play
Team Play refers to a collaborative effort among players who work together to gain an edge over the casino. It may involve using coded signals and coordinated actions to optimize their collective chances of winning. However, it’s crucial to be aware that casinos don’t like team play and may take measures to stop it from happening.
Money management
Bankroll management it not exactly a strategy, but we cannot skip it. Why? Because you cannot apply any strategy if you are not prudent with your money. Proper bankroll management can help you maintain control your casino balance and make informed decisions during the blackjack sessions. It is advisable to set limits and play within your means to enjoy the game responsibly and protect oyur bankroll over time.
The most common Blackjack variations
Blackjack has many versions and that’s part of the charm. You can try different strategies in different variations and see which ones suit you best. Let’s see some of the most common editions.
Classic Blackjack
The names speaks for itself. It’s the “Classic”. And normally, it’s the version you’ll find at pretty much any casino, whether online or in person. When you sit down for a round of classic blackjack, you’ll get dealt cards from a standard 52-card deck (or multiple decks). Your goal is simple – get as close to 21 as you can without going over.
On each turn, you can choose to hit and take another card, stand pat with what you’ve got, double down by doubling your bet for one more card, or split any pairs into two separate hands. The dealer, meanwhile, has to follow strict rules like hitting on soft 17s.
If you’re lucky enough to get dealt a natural blackjack (an ace plus any 10-value card) right off the bat, you’ll typically get paid out at 3:2 odds. Oh, and if the dealer is showing an ace, you can toss in a side bet called insurance just in case they have blackjack too.
European Blackjack
The variation is big in Europe and parts of Asia. A key difference from classic? The dealer won’t check their facedown card for blackjack until the very end of the round. That means even if they happen to have 21 showing, you still get a chance to improve your hand by hitting, doubling, etc.
An interesting twist is that in European blackjack, dealers have to stand on a soft 17 (where the ace counts as 11). In the classic game, they’d hit those hands instead.
This variation also uses fewer decks – usually 4, 6, or 8. And you can only double down on certain hand totals like 9, 10, or 11. Some versions let you double after splits too, while others don’t. Rules can vary a bit by casino.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 takes things in a bit of a different direction compared to the classic game. When you play this variation, you’ll be using a 48-card deck with all the 10s removed. Taking those out actually decreases the house edge in your favor.
One of the big advantages of Spanish 21 is that you can double down whenever you want – even after splitting pairs. You can also late surrender, which means forfeiting half your bet if the dealer has blackjack after you’ve seen their up card.
But here’s the really cool part – if both you and the dealer get a natural 21, your blackjack actually beats the dealer’s! It’s a nice player-friendly rule.
Spanish 21 also has special bonus payouts for certain hands that can really boost your winnings. Hit a 7-card 21, three 7s suited, or a 6-7-8 in mixed suits or all spades, and you’ll get a sweet bonus payout. These add an exciting layer to the gameplay.
Pontoon
You may know this one as Spanish 21 in some regions, but Pontoon is particularly popular in Australia, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia. It shares DNA with Spanish 21 – same 48-card deck without 10s, and you can double on any number of cards.
Where Pontoon really sets itself apart is in the dealing procedure. The dealer’s cards both get dealt face down at first, so you have to make choices without knowing their full hand value. A little suspenseful, wouldn’t you say?
They also use some different lingo like “twist” for hit and “stick” for stand. And the rankings are unique, with a “pontoon” (ace and any 10-value card) being the best possible hand you can make.
So when you play Pontoon, you get that Spanish 21 flair combined with some novel twists that really switch up the strategy. Pretty cool way to experience an old favorite with a new spin.
Blackjack Switch
This one really kicks the strategy up a notch. With Blackjack Switch, you actually get dealt two hands right from the start. But here’s the kicker – after seeing your second cards, you can switch them between the two hands however you like.
Imagine getting dealt a 6 and King in one hand, and a 5 and 9 in the other. You could switch that King over to the 5-9 hand to make a pretty decent 19. That ability to manipulate both hands adds a whole new layer of decision-making.
Blackjack Switch also has some quirky rules that shake things up. If your hand totals 22, it’s just a push against the dealer instead of an automatic bust. And if you do hit blackjack, it only pays even money rather than that juicy 3:2 payout.
But you get nice player-friendly rules too, like doubling after splits and splitting up to four hands per round. If you’re the type who likes putting real brainpower into your blackjack strategy, this one will definitely scratch that itch.
Progressive Blackjack
Here’s a variation that can really get your heart racing – the chance at a progressive jackpot! Alongside your regular blackjack bets, you can make a side bet to try and crack that ever-increasing jackpot total.
To actually win it, you’ll need to get dealt something crazy like four suited aces or a monster poker hand value. We’re talking potentially life-changing cash if you defy the huge odds and hit the right combo.
Even a modest progressive jackpot can climb into the six or even seven figure range as people keep putting in those side bets. Sure, the chances of being the lucky winner are minuscule, but just having that potential dangling out there makes every hand feel supercharged with anticipation.
Double Attack Blackjack
Double your bet after already seeing one of the dealer’s cards? Well, that’s the core concept behind Double Attack Blackjack. Once you get your first two cards and a peek at the dealer’s up card, you can choose to double your wager right then and there.
But that’s not all that makes this one unique. You also get awesome rules like being able to split up to four hands per round, rescuing your awful starting hands by folding them for new cards, and of course doubling after splits too.
With all these extra tactical options, Double Attack really allows you to go on the offensive and seize an advantage where you can – while still keeping that classic blackjack base intact. If you prefer a more aggressive, present-focused style of play, this could be your new favorite way to battle the dealer.
Triple 7s Blackjack
Triple 7s Blackjack adds an extra thrill with the progressive side bet. In addition to your regular blackjack wager, you can put a few bucks on the Triple 7s jackpot for a chance at an earth-shattering payout.
To take down that big progressive prize, you’ll need to be dealt three lucky 7s – with the mega-jackpot reserved for three 7s all of the same suit. But there are also smaller payouts if you land three 7s of mixed suits or just two 7s combined with another card.
The jackpot total keeps climbing every time someone makes that side bet, until eventually one player hits pay dirt. Seeing those six or seven figure totals slowly ratcheting up is enough to get your heart racing every hand!
Triple 7s uses the classic blackjack rules underneath, so it’s familiar enough for newbies to jump right in. But that tantalizing jackpot possibility adds layers of suspense that’ll keep even veterans on the edge of their seats.
Online blackjack vs live dealer blackjack?
For us, one of the biggest perks of online blackjack is the sheer convenience. Fire up an app or website on your laptop, phone, tablet – wherever – and you can jump into a game instantly. No trekking to a casino, waiting for a spot to open up, or sticking to their operating hours.
The pace is more chill too. At a live table, you’ve got maybe 20-30 seconds per decision with the dealer rushing things along. Online, you can take all the time you need to run the numbers, refer to a strategy chart, or just not feel pressured.
And don’t even get us started on the betting limits! Online blackjack gives you way more flexibility. At online casinos, the minimums start at just 10 cents per hand – a total newbie can jump in and learn the ropes for basically free. On the flip side, you can bet into the tens of thousands if you’re a high roller.
Try finding those micro-limits or nosebleed stakes at your local brick-and-mortar! Not to mention how tough it can be to actually get a seat at a crowded table sometimes.
Now don’t get uswrong, there’s nothing quite like the glitzy, social experience of hitting the Vegas Strip. You can’t fully replicate the sights, sounds, and feeling of playing in person. But for sheer accessibility and convenience, online blackjack is hard to beat.
Whether you’re a casual player or high stakes shark, you can find exactly the experience you want from the comfort of your couch. No hoops to jump through, no dress codes, no driving anywhere. Just pure blackjack bliss whenever and however you want it.
Online casino live blackjack – the perfect mix?
Online live blackjack has the perfect formula. You can play the card game just like you would in a brick-and-mortar casino, but online. You can enjoy the thrill of playing against a real dealer in real-time and experience the banter and social interaction of a traditional table.
At the same time, you have the flexibility to play from your home or on-the-go, without the constraints of a brick-and-mortar casino’s operating hours, and table congestion (which is a nightmare at times!) You also have crips HD streaming and a big variety of tables and betting limits to choose from. Yes, we think that online blackjack is nothing short of spectacular, and in many cases it trumps the brick-and-mortar “Vegas” experience.
Best casinos to play blackjack online
Okay, we’ve gone through the basics and advanced strategies. But which are the best places to bet on blackjack? Here is a list of the casinos we’ve vetted.
Cloudbet
Cloudbet is our first pick here. You can enjoy an impressive variety of about 3,000 casino games that caters to every preference. While slots are first on the radar, you can’t go wrong with the live dealer tables.
Speaking of the “devil” – Cloudbet’s live dealer games are made up of 182 live dealer tables powered by industry giants like Evolution, Playtech, and Ezugi. You can enjoy an authentic casino atmosphere with games like Infinite Blackjack, Lightning Roulette, Salon Prive Blackjack, and Power Blackjack. High rollers will appreciate the $20,000 maximum bet limit, so whales are up for a treat!
Cloudbet’s commitment to transparency is much appreciated. All blackjack tables have the RTP (Return to Player) percentages, so you know what you’re up to from the start. Additionally, the wide range of accepted cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, provides you with convenient and secure payment options.
The brand new website design which was launched soon was also a good point. The platform is optimized for mobile play. You have the opportunity to enjoy your favorite games on the go. We loved the overall experience and can confidently say that Cloudbet is a top-tier destination for crypto gambling enthusiasts.
- Big game library with over 3,000 titles.
- 180+ live dealer tables
- Transparent display of RTP percentages for each game.
- 30+ supported cryptocurrencies
- Only crypto platforms
- Bonus wagering requirements could be more clearly defined.
Stake.com
Stake.com is an absolute gem and we’ve praised it a lot of times. We adore it for its absolutely goregous selection of casino games and nice bonuses. Just like with Clodubet, you can gamble on 3,000+ casino games, which meets the needs of anyone. While the platform doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus, it more than makes up for it with its thrilling promotions, such as the $75K Weekly Raffle and the $100K Race every 24 hours.
An area where Stake.com falls a bit flat is the number of blackjack games. Whilethe quality is undeniable, 5 games is not enough for the most picky punters. Players can enjoy variations from reputable providers like Evolution, One Touch, Bombay Live, and Stake Originals. The inclusion of Evolution’s Lightning Blackjack adds an electrifying twist to the classic game.
Despite its impressive game library and daily/weekly bonuses, Stake.com’s absence of a welcome bonus might be a deterrent for some newcomers. However, we still ranked it second among crypto casinos due to its overall casinoofferings and top mobile casino experience, which allows players to enjoy their favorite games on the go without compromising on quality.
- 3,000+ casino games from 39 provides
- $100K Daily Races
- Quick payouts
- No minimum deposit to start playing
- No traditional welcome bonus for the first deposit
- Only 5 live blackjack tables
BC.Game
Last on our list is BC.Game, an impressive crypto mobile casino that offers an exceptional live blackjack experience. BC.Game undoubtedly ranks among the platforms with the highest number of live blackjack options we’ve reviewed – we’ve managed to count 69. We will have a hard time explaining each title to you, so we advise you to personally check them.
But BC.Game’s appeal extends far beyond its impressive live blackjack offering. The platform’s welcome bonuses are equally staggering. New punters have an opportunity to kickstart their gaming journey with a solid boost. The deposit bonus, spread across the first four deposits, offers a generous match of up to 360% on the fourth deposit, reaching a maximum of $100,000. The level of generosity is rarely seen in the industry and sets BC.Game apart as a casino that values its players right from the outset.
BC.Game manages to strike a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. The platform’s quirky graphics and great versatility create an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience, making it a standout choice for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.
- 69 live blackjack tables
- 360% welcome bonuses
- 100+ supported cryptocurrencies
- Own token (BCD) which can give you up to 10% annual returns
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
- No fiat deposits and withdrawals
Conclusion
Blackjack is a special game for special people. It will be a hard task finding a casino game that is even close to it when it comes to coming up with a fancy strategy to beat the casino. On top of that, it has some of the highest RTPs for players, which often go above 99%.
That allows you to try interesting strategies, test interesting blackjack variants, and do so much more. But over the last years, we’ve seen the trend of online blackjack, and it’s normal – instead of going to casino, wait for a lot of time for a good table, and then end up being unable to match the minimum bid.
We’ve all been there. But remember – you should prioritize responsible gambling practices, manage your bankroll effectively, and always strive to strike a balance between strategic play and genuine enjoyment.
With dedication, patience, and a keen understanding of the game’s nuances, you can turn blackjack into a thrilling and potentially rewarding pursuit.
